Open Daily10AM - 6PM
OfficesSt John Street, Stirling FK8 1EA
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TOP RATED JAIL TOURSCrime & Punishment
Prison Tours

Opening in 1847, Stirling’s New County Jail – known today as the Old Town Jail – was the last Reformed Prison built in Victorian Scotland. It was a last attempt to put education, training and rehabilitation at the heart of Scotland’s penal system. This process worked remarkably well, for a while at least…

Cost cutting, politics and a return to brutal discipline, sadly, undermined Reforms. Before falling into dereliction, the Jail became Scotland’s first, and only, Military Detention Barracks – between 1888 and 1935. You can still see original inmates carvings on surviving cell doors, as you explore. Our top-rated performance tours provide a truly unique, fun and immersive insight into the history of crime and punishment in Stirling.
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INMATES WANTEDPlan your visit
to Stirling Jail

We’ve been touring for the last 4 weeks, and this was, hands down, the finest tour we’ve taken. Another reason to go to Stirling!

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Stirling Old Town Jail is a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award winner, proudly claiming its spot as the top-rated, family-friendly, and truly entertaining independent visitor attraction in the heart of Stirling’s Old Town. Join us for a tour that’ll have you begging for parole – or at least a second helping of our criminal charm and prison reform wisdom!

Opening Times:

We are open daily with live performance tours departing every 30mins between 10.15am and 6pm (last tour at 5.15pm).

Following your performance tour you can continue to explore the Jail with our audio handsets (or download the free app) to learn more about the history of the Jail. Visit the cells on the ground floor before heading to the Exercise Yard which is of course located – yes, you guessed it – on the roof! From here you will continue to our observation tower for breath-taking views of the Old Town, Ochils, Trossachs… on a clear day you can see as far as Edinburgh’s Forth Road Bridges! Our family friendly Escape Rooms are also available.

The whole experience lasts between 45 and 90 minutes and is popular with all ages.

Arrive up to five minutes before your booking time and check out our useful pointers below.

  • It’s ok to take photos during your performance tour
  • Download our free App before you get here
  • Relaxed tours available at lunchtime daily – view our accessibility guide here
  • Child friendly – not too scary but let us know if you’re nervous
  • Please make the team aware of any additional needs
  • Dog friendly – well behaved dogs are welcome in the attraction
  • Tours run continually throughout each day
  • It’s best to book ahead – but you can book on arrival too
  • We have free parking, baby changing and accessible toilets
  • We have luggage storage onsite
  • Find out how to get here
  • We have Escape Rooms too!

It’s best to book online before you get here using the link below. If you ever need to change your time or date that’s absolutely fine.

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WHO WILL BE LOOKING AFTER YOU? Meet our
Inmates

Geoff

David

Jonathan

Emily

Ilse

Sydney

Johanna

Adam

Performance Tours
See our characters come to life through our highly praised performance tours, telling the story of the Old Town Jail itself
New Exhibition
Explore sights and stories from our criminal past in our NEW ‘Scene Of The Crime’ exhibition
Top Rated
Our independent visitor attraction was awarded TripAdvisor’s Traveller’s Choice 2022
Keeping you safe
We regularly scrub each surface and have been experts in social distancing since 1847
Free Parking
Free on-site parking to all of our visitors – a rare find in the Old Town
Luggage Storage
We now offer storage (for a small fee) for those looking to leave their bags in a safe place
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AVANTAGEJust ask
If you have any burning questions or would like to arrange a special trip or event then get in touch.
STIRLINGThe Heart of Scotland
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Old Town Jail Ltd The Old Town Jail St John Street Stirling FK8 1EA Company Number: SC632811

Old Town Jail Ltd The Old Town Jail St John Street Stirling FK8 1EA Company Number: SC632811