Secret New Tours at Stirling Castle offer behind the scenes access

Secret Stirling Tours – a new bespoke tour of Stirling Castle – launches today (Monday 15 September) giving visitors exclusive access to areas of the site that are normally closed to the public.

Article Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Last Updated: 15 September 2025 12:02

As part of the exclusive tours, visitors will get access to usually hidden areas of the ancient site.

The daily guided tours, which cost £15, will give visitors access to approximately 10 hidden areas of the Castle.

Some of the areas that visitors may get to visit include the wall walk around the Great Hall roof, which offers stunning views across the castle’s royal buildings and over the Stirling landscape; the caponiers, which were firing galleries for riflemen comprising part of the castle’s intricate 18th century outer defences; and the King’s Closet which is located off the King’s bedchamber.

In the King’s Closet, there is an area which may have been used as an oratory for private prayer. Mary, Queen of Scots, may have used this space for her personal, private devotions when in residence at Stirling Castle as an adult monarch.

The King’s Closet also gives access to a narrow, steep, private stair leading to the upper level of the royal Palace. This privy stair, dating from James VI reign onwards, offered the monarch a private route from his apartments on the principal level of the Palace to the apartments of his courtiers and officers of state on the floor above.

Another potential stop on the tour is the site of the 18th century Governor’s Kitchen. During archaeological work within this building in 1997, it was discovered that the kitchen stood on the site of a long forgotten medieval chapel. The use of this space as a chapel was revealed by the discovery of nine skeletons buried beneath the floor, with the skeletons dating from the 13th to the 16th centuries. The skeletons may include that of a 14th century English knight killed during the wars of independence, and possibly that of a 16th century Regent of Scotland, namely Matthew Stewart, earl of Lennox, the grandfather of James VI.

Visitors will discover the routes that serving staff would have taken when carrying food from the castle’s 16th century Great Kitchens into the Great Hall for royal banquets and festivities. Narrow turnpike stairs can be climbed within the Great Hall to gain access to the loft from which trumpeters would let out fanfares, and to the gallery where musicians performed to entertain the royal court.

Finally, behind a locked door within the Princes Tower, 16th century graffiti can be found, possibly written by the hand of a king. This building housed the schoolroom of King James VI in the 1570s. In 2007, a section of 16th century plaster was discovered in the king’s old schoolroom, featuring inscribed words and sentences. Among this graffiti includes ‘James 6’ - possibly an autograph written by the young king himself.

Ross Blevins, Interpretative Events and Guiding Manager at Stirling Castle, said:
“We are delighted to launch these exclusive new tours for those who are interested in delving behind the scenes of the Castle. The tours will be bespoke on the day depending on the weather as well as which rooms or areas of the Castle we can access, with each tour potentially offering something different for visitors.

“The stops on this new tour are usually under strict lock and key. Some of the areas have been closed for decades, while others have never before been open to the public, so it is truly a unique visitor experience and a chance to uncover some of the many secrets of Stirling Castle.”

The guided tours will be limited to 12 people per tour and will start at 11am and 2pm each day. The areas that visitors will get access to are weather dependent and may change each day.

Secret Stirling Tours is not suitable for visitors under 12 years of age or those with a fear of heights. Accessibility may be a challenge for some visitors as the tour will traverse uneven surfaces, climb ancient stairways, pass through low, narrow doorways, and venture into confined spaces. Sturdy footwear is required.

The £15 ticket price of the tour is in addition to admission to Stirling Castle. Prices including admission are: Adult £33.50, Concession £30, Child 12 years and over £24. Historic Scotland members will receive 10% off Secret Stirling Tours tickets and free admission to the castle.

For further information or to book, visit the Historic Environment Scotland website.

Image credit: Historic Environment Scotland

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Secret New Tours at Stirling Castle offer behind the scenes access

Secret Stirling Tours – a new bespoke tour of Stirling Castle – launches today (Monday 15 September) giving visitors exclusive access to areas of the site that are normally closed to the public.

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