STIRLING
Stirling is a city in central Scotland strategically placed on the border between Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland.
Stirling is a city in central Scotland strategically placed on the border between Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland. The city has an impressive castle which was built to defend the crossing over the river Forth. As a result there is a lot of history around the city, from battles to buildings.
It is a compact city of about 35,000 people and has a large student population, about 12,000, from the University of Stirling.
Places of interest include: Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument, Stirling Old Jail, Church of the Holy Rood, Argyles Lodging, Banockburn and Smith Museum and Art Gallery
The city centre has many restaurants, cafes, pubs and small shops as well as the major chains associated with a city. In the evening the bars are well aware of the large student population as prospective customers.
Leave the station, cross the road at the roundabout and walk straight ahead up a short hill into the city centre. Turn right along the main road past a few shops and look to the right hand corner of the pedestrian area across the street to start at Katie's Bar which has the look of a cafe.
Out of the window you should be able to see your second stop, the old post office, which is now Morrisions Cold Beer Co. Leaving Morrisons turn right continue down this road to find Molly Malones an Irish themed bar. After this return up to Barnton St to the main street and continue along it. You will see The Curly Cow (was The Albion) on the other side of the street. Keep walking along after leaving The Curly Cow and the street opens up and you come to The Cross Keys.
Further along on the opposite side of the street was The Rob Roy, now a pizza place.
From the pizza place that was the Rob Roy walk back to the Cross Keys and go up Queen Street. At the top of this road, across the street and to the left is The Settle Inn and then just beyond it was Whistlebinkies which after numerous name changes has closed.
Continue up this curving road and turn right up Broad St and veer right up towards the castle. Just before the castle is The Portcullis Hotel. Return down Broad St and turn right at the bottom to go down Bow St which becomes Baker St down to Nicky Tams on the right followed by Claymores (now Lawsons) then No 2 Baker St on the left hand side.
Across Baker St from Claymores/Lawsons and No 2 Baker St are two new national chain bars that are hard to miss; Brewdog Stirling and The Cross Peels (Wetherspoons). These will prove a useful diversion since the next two pubs on the trail have closed.
Opposite No 2 Baker St was Sportsters (now closed ) so walk on down and curve around up past an old Clydesdale Bank which was Cape (now closed). Continue round and find The Corn Exchange. Leaving here continue along and turn left and go down a hill path to The City Walls.
After The City Walls walk down to and cross the road to go along Allan Park which leads to The Allan Park Hotel at the end of the road. From here continue along the road (now turning at a right angle). This takes you back to a main road (Port St). Walk up here to the left and across the road at the corner are two bars. The first is Porters Bar. Leaving here turn right down Upper Craigs and on the opposite side is an alley entrance to The Kilted Kangaroo (or Outback). The bar is through the alley. You can now return to the corner and visit Port Customs Bar. On the corner opposite is The Filling Station.
Turn into the pedestrian area go along this and follow it up to the right to find The Golden Lion Hotel and just after that, the last on our tour, Budda Bar and Kitchen (closed) Go through the Arcade next to Budda Bar and it takes you out to a roundabout on the main road. The station is down the road in front of you.
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CAMRA
The website of the Campaign for Real Ale
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PUBTRAILS HOME PAGE
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Local CAMRA
Fourth Valley CAMRA
PLACES TO VISIT WITH PUBTRAILS
The towns and villages highlighted on this web site have a wide variety of pubs and beers in them. All of the places are great to visit, whether for a day or longer, and most have tourist attractions for all of the family.
There is a large variety of pubs throughout the different towns shown below. Some you may wish never to visit again but even discovering these can be interesting. There are pubs that you would not take your wife into. While some you could not take your girlfriend into. A few you would not take either into. However, most of the pubs are very pleasant.
HOME MAP of places visited
Alnwick Ambleside Anstruther Bakewell Bamburgh Barnard Castle Bath Berwick upon Tweed Birnam & Dunkeld Bourton on the Water Bowness on Windermere Bridge of Allan Chester Chichester Dunblane Dunoon Edinburgh Ely Fort William Glasgow Gourock Greenock Helensburgh Inverness Kelso Keswick Knaresborough Largs Linlithgow Lyme Regis Melrose Montrose Newton Stewart North Berwick Norwich Oban Pebbles Penzance Portree Pitlochry Quorn Richmond Rothesay St Andrews Seahouses Seend Shrewsbury Skipton Stirling Stratford-upon-Avon Stockton Heath Whitby Windemere Whitstable York
PUB FACTS
Stirling was a disappointment regarding the amount and quality of real ale on sale, however it is blessed with lots of pubs to choose from. There are several small local corner boozer style pubs full of locals. There are also some large bars catering diners and TV sports fans. There are country themed bars to choose from - Scottish Bothy, Irish and Australian. All of these must attract their fair share of the 12,000 student population. Poor students and lots of competition does keep prices keen.
Katie's Bar and Bistro - closed
Katie's Bar and Bistro looks like a cafe from the outside and also from the inside with traditional wee cafe tables and chairs. It also has a low serving counter in keeping with this theme. Although the customers are pub customers. There is a pool area through the back.
Have one here
Heavy/bitter : Caffrey's, John Smith
Lager : Stella, Carling, Amstel, Fosters, Tennents
Cider : Strongbow Guinness
Morrisons Cold Beer Co. ★
Morrisons Cold Beer Co (Belhaven) is in the old Post Office building. Shiny and bright, It is a large open plan building - the largest pub in Stirling. Giant TV screen plus lots of large ones. Claims 40+ draught products. Outdoor seating in front of building and at side.
Chandeliers from Stella glasses!
Have one here
real ale :Belhaven IPA
bitter :Caffrey's, Tartan, McEwan's
lager :Tennent's, Stella, Coors, San Miguel, Red Stripe, 1664,
Kirin Ichiban, Asahi, Carling, Hoeggarden, Peroni,
Staropramen, Fustenberg
cider : Strongbow, Apsall Suffolk Guinness+cold
Molly Malones
Molly Malones, which in recent years has been called O'Neil's and Niall's. Now owned by Belhaven the Irish theme continues. It is a very popular bar. It has a low ceiling and a curved bar serving various seating areas, although standing at the bar is the favourite. Music at weekends.
Have one here.
bitter :Belhaven Best, Caffreys
lager :Tennent's, Stella, Carling, Peroni, San Miguel, Harp
cider : Strongbow Guinness+cold
Pub Jukebox:
Alcohol themed music to listen to while you browse.
one bourbon, one scotch, one beer - George Thorogood & The Destroyers
The Curly Coo
The Curly Coo, Stirling
The Curly Coo, Stirling
The Curly Coo, Stirling
The Curly Coo, Stirling - previously The Albion
The Curly Coo (formerly The Albion) is Stirling's only Whisky Bar. It has just started selling real ale as well. This is a lovely one roomed pub. The bar serves on three sides giving plenty of seating around it. There are padded settles around the side of the room with small tables and barrels. 4pm opening.
Have one here
real ale :Dark Island
bitter/heavy : Caledonia Best; Bitter & Twisted
Lager : Tennent's; Schiehallion
Cider : Strongbow , Magner's Golden Guinness
Real Ale Trail
Start at Morrison's Cold Beer Co then cross the road and up the pedestrian area opposite. At the top of this on the right-hand corner is No 2 Baker St. Across the road from this pub is Drouthy Neighbours and a walk up the hill to the castle brings you to The Portcullis Hotel. Come down from the castle and turn left, opposite direction from how you came up, and continue downhill to find the Settle Inn.
Cross Keys
Cross Keys is a small local mainly for standing but with some small tables. Not all beers on! Deals offered via neon cut out stars. Up small flight of stairs to darts and then to another bar (closed) with pool.
Happy host behind bar.
Have a half here.
bitter/heavy : Tartan, McEwan's Export and 70/-
Lager : Tennent's
Cider : Strongbow Guinness
The Settle Inn ★
The Settle Inn, the oldest pub in Stirling- est. 1773. Enter into a beamed and low ceiling chamber with the bar to the right. Opposite the bar is seating around a open fire. More seating through the back. The bar area is dark with sudden bursts of light as the door opens regularly. Dog friendly
Visited by The Auldest Boozers in Toon
Have several here
Good Beer Guide regular, including 2023, 2024, 2025
Real ale : Bitter and Twisted; Black Gold;
bitter / heavy : Caledonian Best
Lager : Tennent's, Stella,
Cider : Magners Guinness+cold
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Books on Beer
A selection of recommended books covering all aspects of beer and brewing. There are books on the history of beer and others on different styles of beer.
For example
An Inebriated History of Britain by Peter Haydon
Amber, Gold & Black by Martyn Cornell
Brew Britannia by Jessica Boak & Ray Bailey
The Story of the Pint by Martyn Cornell
Miracle Brew by Pete Brown
Built to Brew by Lynn Pearson
And many more
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Scottish Pub Trails
Craig Stevenson and John MacKay have used their bus passes to good effect. They have toured the towns and cities of Scotland visiting pubs. They recount their adventures in a series of books:
The Auldest Boozers in Town
The Cheap Way Round
Still Goin’
Inn Aff The Bar
Goin’ Roon The Edge
Mud, Sweat and Beers
The Beer Hunters
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Books on Pubs
A selection of recommended books on pubs and their history. There are books on the social history of pubs and the design of pubs through the ages.
There are also books on visiting pubs and ones recommending pubs to visit.
CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide
Death of the English Pub by Christopher Hutt
Brewers, Brands and the Pubs in their Hands by Tony Thornton
Licensed to Sell by Brandwood, Davidson & Slaughter
And many more
Whistlebinkies (closed)
Whistlebinkies became Castle Rock, then Conway's and finally The Smithy and is now closed
PUB QUIZ
Which sport uses the heaviest ball?
Answer at foot of page
Portcullis Hotel ★
Portcullis Hotel is a quiet but very pleasant lounge bar. Lunch and early evening tables are taken over by diners. It is a nice relaxing bar to sit at and has a beer garden. Has not bought into lots of TVs. Popular for evening meals.
Good Beer Guide 2020 (CAMRA), 2024, 2025
Have several here
Real ale : Red McGregor, Avalanche
bitter/heavy :Bellhaven Best, Ember 80/-
Lager : Tennent's +ice, Stella, Staropramen
Nicky Tams
Nicky Tams is a very popular bar, especially with people who were students. It was a bank 100 years ago (long before Wetherspoons) . It is quite small inside at the front of the bar. There is room through and upstairs. They manage to squeeze everyone in even if it is on the stairs. There is always something on offer such as music and quizzes as well as food.
As you leave the sign above the door reads 'enter grim reality'
Visited by The Auldest Boozers in Toon
Have one here
bitter/heavy : John Smiths, McEwan 80/-
Lager : Heineken, 1664, Fosters, Tennent's
Cider : Strongbow Guinness
Claymores now Lawsons
Claymores, now Lawsons, is an old fashioned drinking pub with a cheerful host. Seating is at a premium in a busy bar. Can be very noisy with TV, music and customers all competing for attention
Have a pint here.
bitter/heavy : Bellhaven Best, McEwan's Export
Lager : Tenent's, Carling,
Cider : Strongbow Guinness
Across Baker St from Claymores/Lawsons and No 2 Baker St are two new national chain bars that are hard to miss.
Brewdog Stirling and
The Cross Peels (Wetherspoons).
These will prove a useful diversion since the next two pubs on the trail have closed.
Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
Benjamin Franklin
No 2 Baker Street ★
No 2 Baker Street is probably the best in the city centre for sitting in and having a drink. It has at least four real ales and a good atmosphere. The seating area is sectioned off by walls breaking up the openness and making it quite cozy.
Good Beer Guide 2013 (CAMRA), 2024
Have several here
real ale : Ossian, Abbot, Old Engine Oil (Harviston) Landlord, Belhaven 80/-
bitter/heavy : Belhaven Best
Lager : Tennent's, Stella, Carling, Hoeggarden
Cider : Strongbow Guinness
Sportsters (closed)
Sportsters, as the name suggests is a sports bar. A good example of the species. TVs, including giant, everywhere. It is also a diner with food and lots of lager. Some booths as well as variety of table styles. American pool. Some outside seating.
Have one here.
bitter/heavy : John Smith
Lager : Fosters, Amstel, Tennent's, Stella
Cider : Strongbow Guinness
Cape closed
Cape views itself as the number 1 student destination. Students seem to like noise, cocktails and lager. However, there are several different areas to sit in, including upstairs.
have a half pint here
bitter/heavy : John Smith
Lager : Tennent's, Grolsch, Carling, Fosters
Cider : Strongbow Guinness
The Corn Exchange ★
The Corn Exchange (Belhaven) is an attractive two floored bar. Down stairs has a variety of seating including booths for privacy accompanied by the inevitable TV. It offers food and a range of cold lagers. Upstairs is more of a music club with less seating and more space for moving.
Have one here
Heavy/bitter : Belhaven Best,
Lager : Tennent's, Peroni, San Miguel, Carling, Stella,
Cider : Strongbow Guinness
The City Walls
The City Walls is a Belhaven dining pub. It seems impossible to sit anywhere without being able to view several of the many TVs dominating proceedings. Plenty of tables for small or large groups and meals till about 9.
Have a half here
bitter/heavy : Belhaven Best
Lager : Tennent's, Peroni, Stella, St Mungo, Carlsberg; Carling, 1664
Cider : Strongbow Guinness
Alan Park Hotel
Alan Park Hotel, now removed the “hotel” word and is a bar, restaurant and coffee house but still has rooms available. Large open plan has a bar. Rear garden terrace. Beyond this is a large seating area. Quite friendly. Lunch and evening meals, dog friendly.
NEWS
CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2025
Have one here
bitter/heavy : McEwan's Export, Belhaven Best, Ember
light : Belhaven Light
Lager : Tennent's
Cider : Strongbow Guinness
Outback at the Kilted Kangaroo
Outback at the Kilted Kangaroo, as the name suggests it is an Australian themed bar. Perfectly pleasant of the style with land rover bar. Karaoke, quiz, music, comedy club - always something.
First sighting of Ginger Grouse - famous Grouse + ginger beer - on draught
Have one here
bitter/heavy :
Lager : Birra Moretti, 1664, Carling, Fosters, Heineken, Amstel
Cider : Strongbow Guinness
Port Customs Bar
Port Customs Bar is a small popular local. Strangely more heavy (bitter) than lager! Overflow in use. Closed on Sunday night.
have a half here
bitter/heavy : Belhaven Best + cold, Tartan, McEwan's Export, Tennent's 70/-
Lager : Tennent's +cold, Fosters
Cider : Strongbow Guinness+cold
Golden Lion Hotel
Golden Lion Hotel is more than a hotel bar for waiting to get into the restaurant. The bar itself, called the Library Bar, is nice with sofas and also an open carpeted room off it for sitting in. Outside seating in summer.
Put on sale 2023
Have one here
bitter/heavy : Belhaven Best
Lager : Tennent's+ice, Stella
Cider : Magners Golden Guinness
Budda Bar and Kitchen closed
Budda Bar and Kitchen is a drinking area. Cheap for drinks and lots of space for milling around in.
Half, if that, here.
bitter/heavy : John Smith, Belhaven Best
Lager : Fosters, Amstel, Heineken, Birra Moretti
Cider : Magners Golden Guinness
“On hangovers: He resolved, having done it once, never to move his eyeballs again ”
—Kingsley Amis
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Who owns your pubs?
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Interesting articles to read
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Who owns your beer?
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Comparing pubs in Scotland with England
ANSWER: Ten Pin Bowling