The Portcullis, Stirling, Scotland Tel 01786 472290 Fax 01786 446103 email theportcullis@aol.com. ***Scottish Tourist Board 3 Star Hotel***. Welcome to Scotland and The Portcullis Hotel in Stirling. Our Hotel is situated beside Stirling Castle in the Old Town of Stirling. Our bedrooms are all en-suite and also have tea coffee making facilities, telephone and T.V. Click on the buttons on the left to find out more. For enquiries regarding availability or to make a reservation, you may email us on theportcullis@aol.com. ***Listed in The Lonely Planet Guide to Scotland as ***. ***This is The Best Pub in Stirling***. The Hotel is small, friendly and family run. At present there are four rooms which are all en-suite and are equipped with central heating, tea coffee making facilities, telephone and television. The rooms to the front of the building have wonderful views over the town and to the Ochil Hills beyond. The Hotel itself was built in 1787 and its original purpose was serve the community as a school for boys. It stands on the site of the previous school which was demolished when it became too small. Indeed within the walls of the former building, King James VI of Scotland was educated - more than five centuries ago. When the school again required larger premises and moved down the road, the building was used by the Argyll Sutherland Highlanders as a Military Store when the army was based at Stirling Castle. In subsequent years, after the army left the Castle, the property became a Hotel and that is how it remains today. Tastefully refurbished in 1995, there is a lounge bar on the ground floor offering refreshments from 11.30 am until midnight. In Winter you may sit by the open log fire, and in Summer (weather permitting) you can enjoy eating and dining al fresco in our pretty Beer Garden. Lunch and Dinners are also served in our Lounge Bar which has a casual, relaxed atmosphere, typical of a traditional Scottish Inn. There's something for everyone on our varied menu, including Haggis - but you have to catch it first. Reservations are recommended for Dinner on weekend nights as we are always very busy and we do not necessarily keep tables for residents as you may have other arrangements. email theportcullis@aol.com

Directions By Road The Portcullis is situated right next to Stirling Castle at The Top of the Town The easiest way to find us when travelling by car is to exit the M9 motorway at Junction 10 and then simply follow the numerous road signs to Stirling Castle and we are the last building on the left before you reach the Castle. We are perfectly situated to take advantage of all that Scotland has to offer. Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports are 30 and 45 minutes away respectively. And, as Stirling is at the central crossroads of Scotland, all the major tourist attractions are easily accessible by road and rail. ……..By Bus and Rail We are approximately 10 minutes walk from the train bus stations (going downhill). Twenty minutes coming back up!! A taxi is recommended if you have a lot of luggage when you arrive as although it is not far, it is uphill all the way. There is a taxi rank outside the train station. There are two trains per hour from/to Edinburgh and Glasgow until the evening when this is reduced to one per hour. ……...From the Airport Should you require transfers to or from Edinburgh or Glasgow Airport, we can arrange these for you with a local taxi company. Special Prices at present are: Glasgow Airport to Stirling £45.00 Edinburgh Airport to Stirling £40.00 Contact us or contact Murrayfield Executive Hire direct - Tel 01786 480088 / email murrayfieldhire@netscapeonline.co.uk

Stirling Castle - Open all Year - Seven Days Stirling Castle towers above some of the most important battlefields in Scotland's history; including the site of Stirling Bridge where William Wallace was victorious over the English in 1297; and Bannockburn where Robert The Bruce defeated the same foe in 1314. Many great events from Scotland's past are associated with Stirling castle. Among the best remembered is the murder of the Earl of Douglas by James II and the throwing of the corpse from a window. Stirling Castle is closely bound with the life of the ill-fated Mary Queen of Scots. She spent her childhood in the Castle. Mary's Coronation took place in the Chapel Royal within the Castle in 1543 and she narrowly escaped death by fire in 1561. It was at Stirling that Mary's son, the future King James VI was baptised. The reconstructed Mediaeval Kitchen, the interpretive displays, the recently restored Great Hall dating from the Middle Ages, the beautiful gardens and the Military Museum all add to the enjoyment of visiting Stirling castle. More info at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk. Argyll's Lodging - Open All Year - Seven Days The finest and most complete surviving example in Scotland of a 17th Century town residence. Built by Sir William Alexander, founder of Nova Scotia, it passed to the Argyll family on his death. The principal rooms - including the Laigh Hall, dining room, drawing room and the bedchamber - are magnificently restored and furnished as they would have appeared during the 9th Earl of Argyll's occupation around 1680. The furniture and furnishings include beautifully carved and inlaid tables, elegantly upholstered chairs and glorious tapestries and wall hangings. Based on detailed inventories, the interiors have been authentically recreated to the highest standard by skilled craftsmen. National Wallace Monument - Open All Year - Seven Days It's well nigh impossible to drive around Stirling without seeing the National Wallace Monument. This 220ft tower dominates the surrounding plain. Take the 246 steps to the top and you will enjoy some of the most awe-inspiring views in Scotland. You will also find much more to appreciate on the way up. www.nationalwallacemonument.com. Stirling Old Town Jail - Open All Year - Seven Days Put yourself into the prisoner's shoes and discover what life must have been like behind bars, up to 150 years ago. A unique prison experience for everyone. City Sightseeing Bus Tour - Easter to October A convenient way to see the sights of Stirling. Take an open-topped bus tour of the town with a knowledgeable guide. The tour takes a circular route from the Castle Esplanade (next door to The Portcullis) out to the Wallace Monument. The buses run all day from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm and your ticket permits you to get on and off the bus as many times as you like in one day, thereby allowing you to spend time in the places that are of interest to you.

…….And here we have photos of friends made along the way, this page is new, hence we have so few friends, hopefully more will be added soon.......... Terry, Bob, Jim and Jock from various parts of USA. I promised these guys 2 years ago that I would put their photo on the web. I've finally done it! If you're out there guys, get in touch and say hello! And let me know how many names are wrong! June 2003. Karen Jim Jones from Winnipeg, Canada. They got married at Doune Castle whilst staying with us June 2004. It was fun! Happy 1st Anniversary when 15 June 2005 comes around. We shall toast your health! June 2004. Hilde Armstrong, travel agent from Norway with her Mum Dad. Graham was sleeping. Hilde and Graham's third visit to Stirling and still loving it. Hello to Mum, I now tell everyone I can speak Norwegian! April 2005. Gail Porter popped in for a drink - who is the guy on the right ? Nov 2004

A cosy fire for those cold winter nights. ……..And most importantly, the Bar!!

Prices are per room not per person and are inclusive of breakfast