A toddler friendly visit to Stirling Castle

David wanted to see the castles and he really wanted to show them to Ellie. Ellie is a bit young for them and Max is especially young for them. We also had a busy agenda while in Stirling, while trying to steal away our night in Edinburgh and also enjoy reminiscing visits, etc. So, it turns out we decided to take the last bus up to the top of Stirling to visit the outside of the castle and take a few photos late on a Saturday night.

It’s a funny thing being a tourist in a local’s kind of place. Sara and Sebastian joined us, and had the pleasure of acting as a local in a home town for them. I appreciate the oddity of taking a bus in your local town, but we convinced them to join us. I’m really glad we did.

We caught the local 4:35 number 17 bus up the hill to the castle just around the corner from Margaret’s. Ellie and Sebastian ran to the back of the bus with Grannie and David. Sara helped me keep Max safe in his stroller in the front. The ride is bumpy, basically straight up hill on an old cobblestone street. The kids sat in the back of the bus and laughed the whole way up the hill. The bus didn’t stop and I believe the young man driving the bus was enjoying the laughter coming from the rear, because he didn’t do anything to keep it smooth.

Anyway, when we arrived, everyone was leaving. We took lots of photos. Sebastian pointed out his house over the hills below the castle walls in Alva. We explored the mote around the castle and looked inside. The kids were able to see just nearly enough of the castle. Perhaps 10 more minutes just in the gates would’ve been perfect. I am convinced our money will be better spent in about 3 years’ time. It was a good experience. Ellie was mildly amused and David was able to have his fix for the short term.

At one point Sarah and I had the kids convinced that Alligators lived in the holes under the castle wall where the mote is. Hazel had to ruin in by telling them we were only kidding because Ellie was a little concerned. I had to remind her that she was the Mum who told her son if he knocked the TV and broke it, that the TB monster would suck him inside of it! (ha ha ha Hazel… it’s a parents privilege to mess with our children just a little bit :-) )

We walked back down the hill – gravity is very helpful. It was a pleasant trip downhill.

We ended our time in Stirling with a family dinner out to the local. It was nice to have everyone together. I only wish we could do this with the Cummings/ Gray side of the family more often. It’s a little sad to know it will be many years before we can see Margaret, Sara, Brian, Sebastian and the others again. Ellie would have so much fun (Max too) to be able to grow up close to her cousins. My hope is that we can make this a regular trip – somehow. If only the American vacation wasn’t so short on time!