Stirling Dark History Walking Tour

Originally created as a sold-out Halloween special event, we're excited to offer this as a private tour. Do something different on your trip to Stirling!
Jails, graveyards, and one of the most important castles in Scotland - Stirling has it all. But on this walking tour, there are no rose-tinted glasses or stories of Robert the Bruce. Discover Stirling's darker history, walking through Stirling's graveyard and spooky streets with your local guide uncovering Stirling's dark history.

From unsolved murders, to grave-robbers and ghosts, immerse yourself in the creepy history of Stirling, Scotland's city with a long, dark history. See some of the stories you will discover below.

Tour highlights:

The witch trials of Stirling
The plague and death
Holy Rude cemetery
The grave robbers of Stirling
…& much more!

Meeting Point

Stirling Old Town Jail

St John St, Stirling FK8 1EA, UK

Your guide will be waiting outside Stirling Old Town Jail off St John Street, and will be wearing an orange jacket or lanyard

What's included:

• A local expert guide

Not included:

• Any further admissions to historical sites and attractions

What to expect:

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Stirling Old Town Jail

St. John Street, Stirling, FK8 1EA

Meet your guide and discover the grim facade of Stirling Old Town Jail and the surprising truth hidden in its hulking exterior

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Hostelling Scotland

St John St, Stirling FK8 1EA, UK

View the Stirling Youth Hostel with new eyes when you hear about the secrets buried in its grounds

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

The Back Walk

The Back Walk, Stirling FK8, UK

Venture onto the Back Walk (if you dare!) to admire the best preserved city walls in the UK, and learn how they have protected the residents of Stirling

10 minutes

Stirling Broad Street Cannons

Broad Street, Stirling

The historic heart of the Old Town, you can look at the street with new eyes as you hear stories of torture, execution and the filth that once covered this beautiful street

10 minutes

The Tolbooth

Jail Wynd, Stirling FK8 1DE, UK

Look upon the Tolbooth with new eyes as your guide reveals the horrors that happened inside this beautiful building and the executions that took place where you now stand

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Mar's Wark

St John Street, opposite top of Broad Street, Stirling

Examine the ruins of Mar's Lodging to reveal it's once-luxurious carvings and its tragic past

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Cowane's Hospital

49 St.John Street, Stirling, FK8 1ED

Keep an wary eye on the statue of local hero John Cowane - was he really as charitable and godly as he seemed?

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Church of the Holy Rude

St. John Street, , Stirling, FK8 1ED

View the scarred church, and traverse the Old Kirkyard to reveal some of the secrets of the gravestones

10 minutes

Stirling Castle

Castle Wynd, Stirling, FK8 1EJ

Finish the tour on Stirling Castle Esplanade with the grisly tale of the Battle of Stirling Bridge and reveal the truth about William Wallace

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included