Scotland: Glasgow

June 12, 2020 0 Comments Angela Bolt

Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?
Monty Python

Our British Isles Cruise docked in Greenock (Glasgow) and we chose to visit Stirling and Doune Castle. 🏰

We previously purchased the “Scotland Explorer Pass” which gave us access to many sites on our cruise, including Stirling and Doune. The Explorer pass is only available in the summer. Here is the site with that info:

https://tickets.historic-scotland.gov.uk/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?cg=TKTS&c=EXPLORER

Stirling Castle, shown above, is a well maintained site to visit with beautiful gardens.

A guided tour is included with admission every hour starting at 10am and last about 45 minutes. The guide told us some of the history of Stirling Castle and how it changed hands many times during different wars.

I really enjoy having a quick guided tour because I tend to take something away that I’m not going to read on the plaques.

I regret not planning more time here and would easily spend at least 3 hours going through the different rooms. Below is a picture of the “Great” kitchens that have been reconstructed to show their original features.

Our next stop was Doune Castle, you might recognize the exterior from “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” 😃 It’s also been used in the shows “Game of Thrones” and “Outlander.” They had a free audio tour included with admission. I like audio tours because I can look around and listen while they tell me the history of each room.

I would plan at least an hour at Doune Castle, but you could certainly take your time and fill a couple hours.

We had originally planned on visiting Luss and grabbing sandwiches at a local shop to enjoy by Loch Lomond. Our driver talked us into changing our plans and visiting a closer place on Loch Lomond. Sadly it was overpriced and just a restaurant not the small town we had planned on visiting. My husband and mother in law did have a fish pie 😋 that they loved so it was a win for them.