Historic Scotland places in Stirling

Royal abbey of about 1140 beside the Forth below Stirling Castle, with the burial place of James III and Margaret of Denmark and a unique free-standing 13th-century bell tower; free, open April to September, no parking.

Regent Albany's grand 14th-century castle on the River Teith, with its cathedral-like great hall, gatehouse apartments and kitchen tower, famous from Monty Python and Outlander; adult £11, £10 online, half price in the first EH year.

Medieval cathedral of the 1100s and 1200s with rare 15th-century choir stalls and Pictish stones, its nave restored in the 1890s after 300 roofless years; a working church, free to visit, closed for lunch and for services.

Augustinian priory of about 1238 on an island in the Lake of Menteith, refuge of the young Mary Queen of Scots in 1547, reached by Historic Scotland's boat; open April to October, adult £11 with the boat, half price in the first EH year.

The earthwork knot garden of 1627 below Stirling Castle, an octagonal stepped mound and parterre in the King's Park, best seen from the castle's Ladies' Lookout; free, open at all times, flat parkland.

The richly carved Renaissance facade of the Earl of Mar's townhouse of about 1570, at the head of Castle Wynd in Stirling's old town; free, seen from the street at any time.

Scotland's great royal castle on its crag above the Forth, with the recreated Royal Palace of James V, Great Hall, Chapel Royal, kitchens, garden and ramparts; adult £20.50, £18.50 online, half price in the first EH year, book ahead.

Four-arched stone bridge of about 1500 over the River Forth, the main crossing into the Highlands until 1832 and still a footbridge, near the site of Wallace's 1297 battle; free, open at all times, no parking at the bridge.