Stirling is a magical location in Scotland. It is wide and sweeping in the interior, a great strategic location for this medieval town. The castle is well suited and has great staff and exhibits. It’s wynds are a bit tough on you. The view is fantastic.

When searching for lodging here, I came across the Stirling Highland Hotel on my booking site and read up on it. I fell in love with the fact it was a former school, had very old buildings, a spa I really couldn’t afford, and what turned out to be a well equipped small gym. The rooms had been converted from classrooms and other school function rooms.

I arrived off the train from Inverness and checked in.

Stirling Highland Hotel $$$$$ ♥♥♥
Spittal Road, Stirling Scotland, UK

The amenities of this hotel are pretty lengthy and it was a bit of a splurge for me. I did manage to get a good price off Booking.com, but still it is a bit high. However, it does boast a spa, pool, good small, clean gym that local people use as well as guests, free parking, and walking distance to most attractions in the area. The castle and graveyard, goal being about 10 to 15 minutes walk. Most of Stirling can be walked as it is not that big of a town. This is a hotel popular with weddings, so plan to possibly be crowded a bit if you are on one of those weekends. The restaurant serves full Scottish breakfast, as many inns do.

Plus: The rooms were clean, the heating when needed worked. Bed was moderate for the many hotel/motels and Inns I had stayed in. It was a converted room and the windows were period. Mine looked out on another building. Hot pot, tea service and the ever present shortbread biscuits. Staff was very helpful. Gym clean and equipment in good shape. Location on hill great, close to many restaurants and attractions. Very safe area.

Minus: Bed was moderate, but for a hotel like this should have been better. Scottish breakfast was bland. Granted, it usually is, but some hotels and inns have more seasoning. The rooms were converted, mostly clean, but the windows a bit sticky. The decor was bland. Flatscreen was so so. I had gotten a moderate deal on room price, but the rooms in general are high priced for what they are. Granted I had a full room, not one of the king or suites.