30/09/19 - Stirling - City Walk and Pub Ticking

Distance - 5 Miles
Walk Inspiration - AA 1001 Walks - Walk 951
Pubs - 3 - Good Beer Guide Ticks - #421 and #422

City number 2 on our Scotland by Train tour.   A short 30 minutes from Glasgow and we are dropping cases off at the Premier Inn and heading out sightseeing.

Architectural wonder number one is the wonderfully named Cambuskenneth Abbey - the other side the River Forth and seemingly at the end of a housing estate.   We are just in time to see the final resting place of King James III.   It closes from October 1st.

Crossing the River Forth

The Wonderfully named Cambuskenneth Abbey.   Note housing estate

Riverside walking to Stirling Bridge, with super views over to Wallace monument.

Wallace Monument

Stirling Bridge

We know we need to get to Stirling Castle, but its a navigational nightmare.   I also hadn't properly looked at the walk details and missed out on the Beheading Stone on Gowanhill but you can guess its purpose from its description and Google can do the rest.    We eventually make it to the castle entrance and I'd like to say time was the reason for not visiting when the real reason was £32 worth of beer tokens.   Besides, there's plenty to see in the grounds - including some lovely views.

Stirling Castle

Views back across the graveyard

Churchyard

All this history can make you thirsty, so how nice to find a Good Beer Guide pub, practically in the Castle Grounds that offers good food, beer and service at a reasonable price.   The Cairngorm Brewery Trade Winds was easily pint of the week.   Must say something for serving LocALE.

Mrs M doing all she can to avoid being first at the bar

The rest of the walk involves winding our wind down through the ancient streets.   Plenty to look at and admire, so I end up with far too many photos to share here.   Its that sort of place.

Following a purple inspired rest at the Premier Inn, we head back out into the night with the goal of getting the other Good Beer Guide Tick.

But there's no way we are walking past a pub called the Curly Coo.   Mainly a whisky joint, but there was a single handpull, a decent Inveralmond Lia Fail.   A nice old school boozer, with a central bar and leather topped seating.

Life inside the Curly Coo

The Settle Inn is the other Good Beer Guide Tick.   In the Castle Foothills and claiming to be the oldest pub in Stirling.   It certainly looks the part.

Settle Inn

Winter is coming, as the coal burner was in full flight.   Every table taken in the small bar - so Mrs M headed to a back room and nearly got involved in Bingo.   Excuses were made that she had forgotten her big dobber and we made the cardinal sin of sitting at the bar high stools and blocking access.

Two hand pulls on - Tribute and Hobgoblin Gold.   Both very unexpected for different reasons but mainly for the sake of National pride.