Stirling tops TimeOut list as best place to visit in Britain
Stirling has been bestowed with yet another accolade as TimeOut Magazine has named the area as the best place to visit in the UK for 2026.
Article Source: Stirling Council
Last Updated: 20 January 2026 8:37
Editors and writers from TimeOut compiled 14 places throughout the UK that are worth a visit for people looking to plan a staycation this year with Stirling beating them all out to be top pick.
Stirling’s packed cultural calendar, access to stunning scenery and connectivity to the rest of the country via a new rail route are cited by the popular online travel magazine as reasons for people across Britain to plan a visit this year.
Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Susan McGill said: “We are proud to have been named as the best place to visit in the UK by TimeOut. This is more recognition for the Stirling area’s world-class tourism offering, having being ranked as Scotland’s top visitor destination by Lonely Planet last year.
“We are home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the UK, coupled with a remarkable history and heritage. We have incredible attractions, a vibrant city centre with excellent transport links and beautiful and diverse communities to explore and enjoy.
“We are looking forward to welcoming visitors from across the world this year to enjoy everything Stirling has got to offer, with lots of exciting events planned for 2026 including the inaugural Culture Night Stirling on 1 May.”
Stirling was recently crowned Scotland’s cultural capital, while travel specialists Lonely Planet highlighted Loch Lomond and the West Highland Way, some of which are located the Stirling Council area, when naming Stirling as Scotland’s top tourism destination.
For the past two years, Rightmove has announced that Stirling as the happiest place to live in Scotland, while a recent report from Ernst and Young has forecast that Stirling will have the fastest-growing economy in Scotland over the next three years and be among the top four for growth in the UK.
For more information on visiting Stirling, head to YourStirling.com
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