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Wire cat sculpture atop an archway between a Saltire and burgh flag
Stirling

Menstrie Castle

Welcome

Menstrie Castle is one of the oddest members of the Clackmannanshire Tower Trail, found in the middle of a housing estate.

Built in the middle of the 1500s, this was home to the Alexander family, later Earls of Stirling. William Alexander was born here and as a close friend of James VI, he was given the land of Nova Scotia, naming it after his home country. Unfortunately, he abandoned his Clackmannanshire tower for a comfortable house beside Stirling Castle. Menstrie was passed from family to family, steadily deteriorating until it was close to demolition by the 1900s. Fortunately, a campaign was launched and the castle was restored and converted into homes.

A short drive awayLegends at the MonumentThe coffee house and gift shop at the foot of the Abbey Craig, below the National Wallace Monument, run by a local charity.6 min by roadSee itThe coffee house's glass front and benches.
Close by
  1. Blairmains Farm ShopBlairmains Farm ShopA family farm shop and coffee bothy at Blairlogie, at the foot of the Ochils, opened on the old dairy farm in 2001.2 miles4 min by road
  2. Wallace Monument tower rising above snow-covered trees and hills near StirlingWallace MonumentThe tall Victorian tower on the Abbey Craig above Stirling, with Wallace's sword inside and a view from the Crown after 246 steps.3 miles6 min by road
  3. Airthrey Castle above a lawn at the University of Stirling, walkers passing in the sun.University of StirlingThe university campus on the Airthrey estate below the Ochils, with a loch, woodland walks and a Robert Adam castle.3 miles8 min by road
  4. The Tower Trail board for Sauchie Tower beside the tower.Sauchie TowerA plain, tall tower house of the 1430s built by the Schaws at Sauchie, where Mary, Queen of Scots came in 1565.4 miles7 min by road
  5. Beheading StoneBeheading StoneThe old execution stone of Stirling, under an iron cage on Mote Hill, with two cannons and a view of Stirling Bridge.5 miles11 min by road
Directions
The coffee house's glass front and benches.CafeLegends at the Monument3.1 miles
Stone abbey tower beside a graveyard with wrought-iron railings and gravestonesAttractionsCambuskenneth Abbey4.9 miles
Diners at tables in the café's stone-walled room.RestaurantsMakers Café4.9 miles
Uncommon Life's white shopfront at 61 Henderson Street, Bridge of Allan.ShoppingUncommon Life4.9 miles
The Fotheringham Gallery's blue shopfront and flowers in Bridge of Allan.AttractionsThe Fotheringham Gallery4.9 miles
Darnley Coffee House's stone front on Bow Street, its name in blue script above the door.CafeDarnley Coffee House4.9 miles
A castellated sandstone castle wall with corner turrets rises above a terraced lawn and flowerbeds.ShoppingStirling Bagpipes4.9 miles
Wine and spirits shelves in a shop, with a "Gin O'clock" signShoppingThe Scottish Gantry5.0 miles
The crow-stepped gables and corner turrets of a royal palace glow in evening light, a stone stair and older tower standing beside it.AttractionsStirling Castle5.0 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near Menstrie Castle, and when each is next free.

A grand stone mansion with multiple gables and chimneys stands behind a lawn set with wicker chairs, seen through overhanging leaves.Cromlix
  • To stay
  • In Stirling
  • 7 miles from Menstrie Castle
Check datesA landscape view of Whitehill on its hill: the steadings, the farmhouse and its red-roofed wing in low sun across a field of young crop.Whitehill Farm House
  • Sleeps 8
  • In Auchterarder
  • 13 miles from Menstrie Castle
Free 19–23 OctPlaces to stayEvery stay in StirlingAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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