Exploring Stirling with autistic children can be a very rewarding experience – especially if they are interested in history! We are lucky to live not too far from Stirling and have managed to visit the area a few times with our autistic children – one was even diagnosed with autism in Stirling! Here’s a detailed guide based on our experiences, including transportation tips, family-friendly activities, and accommodations.
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Getting to Stirling
Traveling to Stirling offers several transportation options:
- Train: Trains are a convenient way to reach Stirling, with services running regularly from major cities. Stirling’s train station is centrally located, making it easy to access various attractions. It will cost approximately £10-20 per person for a one-way trip from Edinburgh or Glasgow, and approximately 45 minutes to an hour.
- Bus: Buses are another budget-friendly option, with multiple services running daily. The main bus station in Stirling is also centrally located. It will cost approximately £5-15 per person for a one-way trip from Edinburgh or Glasgow and can take anything from 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Car: Driving to Stirling offers flexibility, especially useful for families with young children or lots of luggage. Parking is available at various spots throughout the town. We have always travelled by car, our own car, and find this to be the best option for us to get to Stirling with autistic children. The cost of a car will vary depending on fuel prices and car rental rates. It takes about 1 hour from both Edinburgh and Glasgow to drive to Stirling.
Where To Stay in Stirling
We have not stayed in Stirling due to living only a couple of hours drive from the area. We have visited Stirling a number of times and always only for a day or less before driving back home. I therefore have no personal recommendations for where to stay in Stirling.
Family-Friendly Activities in Stirling
Stirling offers numerous family-friendly activities that cater to different interests and sensory needs. Here are some highlights:
Stirling Castle:
A historic castle with interactive exhibits, beautiful gardens, and stunning views. It’s educational and engaging for children. There is an entire area dedicated to interactive activities for children near the entrance to the castle. It is in a tunnel, and the rooms off the sides of the tunnel are where you can find fun activities for the kids. Enjoy a private walking tour of Stirling and Stirling Castle via GetYourGuide.
The Battle of Bannockburn Experience:
An immersive experience that brings the historic battle to life through 3D technology and interactive displays. It’s a fascinating and educational visit.
The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum:
A museum with a variety of exhibits, including art, local history, and natural history. It’s an engaging and educational outing for families.
The National Wallace Monument:
A tower commemorating William Wallace, with exhibits on his life and the Scottish Wars of Independence. The climb to the top offers stunning views.
Cambuskenneth Abbey:
A historic abbey with beautiful ruins and a peaceful atmosphere. It’s a great place for a quiet stroll.
Stirling Old Town Jail:
A former jail with interactive tours and exhibits on crime and punishment. It’s an interesting and educational visit.
Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park:
A safari park with a variety of animals, play areas, and attractions. It’s a fun and engaging day out for families.
The Engine Shed:
Scotland’s building conservation centre with interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. It’s educational and engaging for children.
Argyll’s Lodging:
A restored 17th-century townhouse with period rooms and exhibits. It’s an interesting and educational visit.
Kings Park:
A large park with playgrounds, sports facilities, and beautiful gardens. It’s a great place for kids to play and explore.
The Tolbooth:
A historic building with art exhibitions and live performances. It’s a cultural and educational outing.
Beheading Stone:
A historic stone associated with medieval executions. It’s an interesting spot for a quick visit.
The Peak Leisure Centre:
A leisure centre with swimming pools, ice skating, and sports facilities. It’s a fun and active outing for families.
Kings Knot:
A historic garden with geometric earthworks. It’s a peaceful place for a stroll and a picnic.
Statues and Memorials:
The town of Stirling is filled with statues and memorials from various historical periods, offering educational and engaging opportunities for exploration. You can book a walking tour of Stirling via GetYourGuide.
Our Favourite Sensory-Friendly Experience in Stirling
Dunblane Cathedral:
A historic cathedral with beautiful architecture and peaceful surroundings. It’s a serene spot for a short visit. It is not far from Stirling and really worth a visit if you are in the area. This cathedral is so quiet, when we visited we saw only a handful of other people around.
Getting Around Stirling with Autistic Children
We have honestly always drove by car, but the public bus system in Scotland is pretty good too and that would be my recommendation if you don’t have a car. Parking at the castle can be hard to secure, but there is a park and ride service at Stirling old jail.
Is Stirling Autism-Friendly?
Stirling, a historic city in central Scotland, is gradually becoming more inclusive and autism-friendly, though it may not be as developed in this regard as larger cities in Scotland such as Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Things That Make Stirling Stand Out
- Stirling’s public transportation system, including buses and trains, is generally accessible and relatively uncrowded compared to larger cities. However, during peak times, public transport can still be busy, so planning trips during quieter periods might be beneficial.
- Stirling is a small city, making it easy to navigate on foot or by car. The city’s compact nature means that most attractions and services are within a short distance of each other, which can be convenient for families with individuals on the autism spectrum.
- Stirling Castle: One of Scotland’s most famous castles, Stirling Castle, offers a sensory-friendly experience with quieter times for visiting. The staff are trained to assist visitors with special needs, and the castle grounds provide ample space to explore at your own pace.
- The National Wallace Monument: While the monument itself can involve climbing and may be busy, the surrounding area offers open spaces and quieter spots to relax.
- Parks and Outdoor Spaces: Stirling has several parks and green spaces, such as the Kings Park and the University of Stirling’s campus, which are quieter and can provide a calming environment.
Practical Tips for Autism Families
- Early Check-In: If possible, arrange for an early check-in at your accommodation to rest after the journey. Travelling from either Glasgow or Edinburgh won’t take long, so you may not need any early check in or rest upon arrival.
- Rest and Hydrate: Stirling can involve a lot of walking; take regular breaks and stay hydrated. There are a number of hilly areas and cobblestone roads similar to Edinburgh.
- Sensory Tools: Bring along sensory tools and comfort items that help manage sensory needs, such as noise-cancelling headphones, fidget toys, or weighted blankets.
- Clear Communication: Ensure that everyone involved in the trip understands the needs and preferences of the neurodiverse individual. Clear communication can prevent misunderstandings and enhance the travel experience. Consider using PECS or an AAC. We have a free pack of travel PECS available for download. You can also add to your Scotland travels with our Scotland PECS.
- Safety: Consider getting an autism card for your child, or even better – use our emergency passport for medical information and important contacts. Our absolute must have safety item for travelling with an autistic child is a TinyTags wristband or tag that can be tapped or scanned by a mobile phone – giving the person who tapped it all of the information they need to get your child back to you. TinyTags also feature a location alert to help you find your child.
Our short trips to Stirling with autistic children have been filled with intensive exploring experiences – fitting in a number of cool places in a short time. We always find ourselves back in Stirling, and find the quiet and historical area to be autism-friendly and historically stimulating enough even for younger autistic children in Stirling. Stirling is an area we will continue to explore and we will update this post the more we learn (and I will be back in Stirling soon, so I hope to add more pictures to this post).
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