Stirling council leader 'proud' after city named best place to visit in the UK in 2026

A historic Scottish city has been named the best place in the UK to visit this year.

Time Out has highlighted Stirling for its rich history, scenic surroundings, great transport links, and the Stirling Highland Games and International Gathering.

Edinburgh and Caithness also earned a spot on the list of 14 locations across the United Kingdom.

Stirling Council leader 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 May 1.”

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Naming Stirling at the top spot of the list, UK News Editor Ed Cunningham wrote: “We suggest taking advantage of the new train route in August, when you can combine your city break with the Stirling Highland Games and International Gathering.

“Stirling is far from an unsung destination; the Scottish city’s greatness is legendary, particularly its immense historical sights – including its castle and National Wallace Monument, both beacons of Scottishness – and access to extraordinary natural landscapes like Loch Lomond and the Trossachs.”

New direct Stirling train service from London

They added that, in 2026, the launch of an affordable direct Lumo train service from London will make the city cheaper, easier and more accessible to get to.

As well as this, Stirling Distillery is set to release its first batch of Stirling whisky in late 2026, and independent venues will celebrate Stirling Cocktail Week with serious food and drinks deals all over the city.

This year will also see the finale of the city’s 900th anniversary celebrations, which have been ongoing since 2024 but will wrap up in May with a Culture Night of music, dance, comedy and more at Stirling Castle.

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They have advised visitors not to miss one of the country’s mightiest cultural events: the Stirling Highland Games and International Gathering which will take place on August 15.

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For a place to stay, they recommended the Gleneagles Hotel which is just a 20-minute drive from Stirling. If that’s out-of-budget, they recommended treehouses in Leckie which are well-located for both the city and its surrounding nature.

‘It’s not the first accolade Stirling has had and I’m sure it won’t be the last’

VisitScotland’s Regional Director Lynsey Eckford said: “It’s fantastic Stirling has been named top of Time Out’s best places to go in the UK in 2026. It’s not the first accolade that this ancient capital of Scotland has had and I’m sure it won’t be the last.

“From Stirling Castle and the National Wallace Monument to Bloody Scotland and the Stirling Highland Games, the city combines a fascinating heritage with modern visitor attractions and cultural events, alongside a thriving local food and drink scene.

“It’s encouraging that Caithness and Edinburgh also feature in the list, showing the breadth of wonderful destinations that Scotland holds and inspiring visitors to explore further regions.

“Not only do these lists help raise the profile of destinations, but they spread the benefits of tourism across the country, growing the visitor economy, to create more opportunities for businesses and communities to thrive.”