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
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!
Our performance tours are officially back and currently run every weekend and then daily from June onwards at 30 minute intervals between 10.15am and 6pm. Our audio handsets are always available for more information and if you are visiting midweek in May you can take the full self-guided tour. During your visit you can safely explore 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!
The whole tour lasts between 45 and 90 minutes – but there’s no time-limit to your experience. Our helpful guides are always on hand to offer insight into all that Stirling has to offer.
Curious to know more about our history? Click here for more information about us. Or, ask one of our guides for things to do and places to see around Stirling – we’re happy to help!
Arrive up to five minutes before your booking time and check out our useful pointers below.
It’s best to book online before you get here using the link below. If you need to ever need to change your time or date that’s absolutely fine.