The Back Walk – A Climb to the Castle and a Dram
About 1.4 miles on foot.
The Back Walk is Stirling's old path up the wooded slope below the Old Town, laid out in the 1720s, and it climbs to the top of the town beside the castle.
Waiting at the top is the Portcullis, a stone inn of 1787 built as the town's boys' school, with cask ales, a long list of single malts and hearty pub food. It's a lovely early-evening stroll and a pint.
- Time
- About 10 minutes up, with a stop at the carvings.
- The path
- A climbing path from Dumbarton Road to the top of the Old Town.
- Where to start
- None needed: on foot from Stirling station, 11 minutes to its foot on Dumbarton Road beside the Smith.
- Set off
- At its foot on Dumbarton Road, beside the Smith Art Gallery and Museum.
- When to go
- The Back Walk is a public path; the Portcullis serves food from noon to 8.30pm.
- Dogs
- On a lead on the path.
- Toilets
- Toilets for customers at the Portcullis at the top.
- Before you set out
- The path is under trees and climbs all the way: take care when wet, and don't start up it after dark.
The walk
It's an 11-minute walk from the station through the town centre to Dumbarton Road, where the Back Walk starts beside the Smith Art Gallery and Museum. Laid out from 1724, the path climbs through old trees on the slope below the Old Town towards the castle, with wooden carvings of Stirling's stories along the way.
The path takes about 10 minutes more, uphill all the way, so it's about 20 minutes from the station to the top. Go while there's still light, as the path is under the trees.
If it rains
In rain the path under the trees is slippery: walk up by the streets instead, St John Street to Castle Wynd, and make the pub the evening.
Afterwards
10 min on foot
The Portcullis
A drink
At the top, the Portcullis stands on Castle Wynd, the last building on the left before the castle, built in 1787 as a school for boys. Its lounge bar keeps two cask ales and a fine selection of single malts, with food from noon to 8.30pm: steak pie, haddock and chips, and a haggis-stuffed Highland chicken. It's best on an autumn or winter evening. Book a table for supper on 01786 472290. From here it's about 10 minutes' walk downhill back to the station.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is Cromlix, 8 miles away.
Book the Portcullis
Book a table for supper at the Portcullis on 01786 472290.
For further reading, before you go.