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Stirling Castle visit
Trossachs photo stop at Duck Bay
· Please refer to the specific page in this Technical Itinerary for overnight train procedures.
· During your stay in Edinburgh go to Waverley station to arrange porterage on the Glasgow – London train. Suitcases should be taken by porters to luggage van. Don’t forget to tell the group to pack an overnight bag and change of clothes!
· Time your day according to your dinner in Glasgow and train departure time.
· Entrances to Stirling Castle are paid by voucher
· You can either stop for lunch in Callender or continue for one mile out of the town to the Kilmahog Woolen Mill, 01877 330268. Good food, Highland cattle and weaving demonstrations.
Stirling Castle – Visit
Arrive Stirling Castle. Currently Coaches can park on the esplanade and the group voucher may be requested by the parking attendant. Walk group through first archway, toilets to your left hand side and also the place to hand in group vouchers (not main ticket window). Collect tickets and disperse to group. There is now a charge for audio guides £3/£2 (concessions) Tickets individually scanned.
Guided tours on the hour from Upper Square, can be quite in-depth but as there is now a charge for audio guides make sure people know from where and at what time the next tour departs.
2012 saw the reopening of the Medieval Palace after a multi million pound refurbishment project, make sure to inform pax of all areas they can now visit.
On arrival point out:
The Wallace Monument on Abbey Crag (the hillside opposite)
Argyll’s Lodging – 17th century home to Campbell Clan leaders. Entrance to castle will also cover entry to Lodgings but time constraints will inhibit this and entries have been known to be timed. Check with stewards at castle upon arrival if you feel as visit here will benefit your group.
The Visitor’s Centre (small white building, shop).
Facilities Toilets are great, Coffee shop with soup & sandwiches and gift shop
SEE THE INFORMATION INDEX FOR PHONE NUMBERS/OPENING TIMES ETC…
If you stop in Aberfoyle – a pretty little town – you may want to call the Scottish Wool Centre (01877 382 850). They have a sheep show and sometimes sheep dog demonstrations. Entry charge (they pay).
Make your photo stop at Duck Bay on Loch Lomond. The Duck Bay Hotel, 01389 751234 is a good place for refreshments.
Another possibility is to stop at the Loch Lomond Shores visitor center in Balloch. 01389 751035. However the view of the Loch is not the most dramatic from this vantage point. Good shopping which might also be a disadvantage if you are pushed for time