Stirling Old Town Jail, Stirling (must see)
Located in the heart of Stirling is the Old Town Jail. It is set back from the street and features turrets prominently seen in the city's skyline. Built during the prison reform period, it opened in 1847 after the old Tolbooth Jail was deemed overcrowded and was rated as the worst prison in Britain. Although living conditions improved with the new jail, the strict regime of solitude, labor, food, and discomfort would still have been an impediment.
In 1888, the Old Town Jail was turned into a military prison and used as a detention barracks to discipline members of Scottish regiments. It operated into the 1930s, the prison closing for good in 1936. It was abandoned and neglected until finally undergoing restoration in the early 1990s.
No longer operating as a prison, the Stirling Old Town Jail is now a tourist attraction. A visitor can take a self-guided tour and explore the prison cells. There are also weekend performance tours with live characters that bring the history of this jail to life.
Up on the roof, you can visit the exercise yard. Afterward, head to the observation tower to get magnificent views of the city and surrounding landscape. For an immersive experience, try one of the escape rooms and learn what it's like to try and make a break from a Victorian prison.
A top attraction in town, a visit to the Stirling Old Town Jail is a great way to explore and learn about life in prison. A fun bit of trivia is that in the 1950s, the Caledonian Confectionary Company stocked ingredients in the building. The scent of sweets was said to drift throughout Old Town!
In 1888, the Old Town Jail was turned into a military prison and used as a detention barracks to discipline members of Scottish regiments. It operated into the 1930s, the prison closing for good in 1936. It was abandoned and neglected until finally undergoing restoration in the early 1990s.
No longer operating as a prison, the Stirling Old Town Jail is now a tourist attraction. A visitor can take a self-guided tour and explore the prison cells. There are also weekend performance tours with live characters that bring the history of this jail to life.
Up on the roof, you can visit the exercise yard. Afterward, head to the observation tower to get magnificent views of the city and surrounding landscape. For an immersive experience, try one of the escape rooms and learn what it's like to try and make a break from a Victorian prison.
A top attraction in town, a visit to the Stirling Old Town Jail is a great way to explore and learn about life in prison. A fun bit of trivia is that in the 1950s, the Caledonian Confectionary Company stocked ingredients in the building. The scent of sweets was said to drift throughout Old Town!
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Stirling. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Stirling Old Town Jail on Map
Sight Name: Stirling Old Town Jail
Sight Location: Stirling, Scotland (See walking tours in Stirling)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Stirling, Scotland (See walking tours in Stirling)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Stirling, Scotland
Create Your Own Walk in Stirling
Creating your own self-guided walk in Stirling is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Stirling Introduction Walking Tour
On the River Forth in central Scotland, you'll find the picturesque city of Stirling. Its location at the lowest crossing point over the river made it a strategic spot to start a settlement. The town dates back to ancient Roman times, though much of the city is medieval and Victorian. It was a small market town that grew while becoming known as the "Gateway to the Highlands."
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Stirling Castle Walking Tour
Sitting atop Castle Hill in Stirling, Stirling Castle is one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland, both historically and architecturally. Before the union with England, the Castle was also one of the most used of the numerous Scottish royal residences, acting as both a palace and a fortress. Several Scottish kings and queens have been crowned at Stirling, including Mary, Queen of... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles