In a nutshell

We will delve into the past and retrace the steps of the age-old conflict between Scotland and England. We will discover the origins of Scottish nationalism, visit the scene of epic battles and listen to stories of legendary heroes that have left their mark on the country's history.

Main stops

Forth Rail Bridge
Free time in Stirling
Stirling Castle
Bannockburn
Bannockburn Heritage Centre

The programme

From Southqueensferry we travel west and cross the Firth of Forth with spectacular views of the landmark Forth Rail Bridge, a fantastic feat of Victorian engineering. We then pass through the beautiful 17th century conservation village of Culross, before arriving in Stirling. Located in the centre of Scotland and of great strategic importance, Stirling has a long and fascinating history as a Royal burgh and is packed with major historical sites. With its crag top castle and medieval cobbled streets, the town has been at the heart of some of the most significant developments in the evolution of the Scottish nation, including two battles in which the Scots defeated the English.
On our visit to the impressive Stirling Castle, we can enjoy fantastic views of the surrounding countryside from its esplanade, as well as explore and marvel at its magnificent architecture and history. The furniture and décor in the royal apartments gives us an insight into how the king’s and queen’s chambers may have looked in the mid 16th-century. In the King’s Inner Hall we can admire the wonderful replicas of the “Stirling Heads”: the medieval oak medallions are often described as Scotland’s other Crown Jewels. All around the castle we encounter “great lords and ladies” and “servants” that bring history to life by introducing us to daily life at the castle.
We then enjoy some free time for lunch and to explore the historic streets of Stirling. Afterwards, we pass by the 15th century Old Bridge, which marked the lowest crossing point on the River Forth and the scene of the Battle of Stirling Bridge, in which William Wallace – Braveheart - defeated the English. We also see the Wallace Monument, a huge Victorian Gothic monolithic tribute to Wallace.
Finally, we travel to the site of Scotland’s greatest victory over the English, where Robert the Bruce defeated Edward II’s army at Bannockburn in 1314. Immortalised in Scottish history, victory at Bannockburn united the Scots and remains at the heart of Scotland’s sense of identity. 2014 marks the 700th anniversary of this historic battle, and the Visitor Centre on the battlefield has undergone a one year restoration, to greet us in new glory. Be prepared for a spectacular experience: Unique state-of-the-art 3D technology will bring us face to face with the medieval battle in a way never experienced before. We will hear firsthand accounts from combatants and bystanders of the battle and immerse ourselves totally with a brand-new 360-degree film. Don’t miss the iconic statue of the Bruce on horseback, near where he planted the victory standard.
From here we return to the ship at Leith quayside.

Good to know

Audoguides available at Stirling Castle: £4.00pp. Available languages: English (audio described version is free of charge), Gaelic, French, German and Spanish.