Fancy swapping the waterfront for a castle hill? A distillery day trip from Dundee is one of the easiest runs in the country, and it lands you at Scotland's smallest whisky distillery in a little over an hour. We are Stirling Distillery, a family run distillery in the Old Smiddy, a former blacksmith's workshop tucked beneath Stirling Castle. Trains from Dundee reach Stirling in about an hour to an hour and ten, often connecting through Perth, and the drive west is a touch over an hour. That means you can enjoy a slow morning in Dundee, roll across the middle of the country, and still have the whole afternoon with us. Here is how to plan it.
Dundee to Stirling at a glance
Dundee sits on the east coast and Stirling is roughly in the centre of Scotland, so the whole trip runs west across a fairly short stretch of country. Whether you take the train or drive, plan for around an hour of travel each way, plus a little wiggle room for connections and parking. Both options are comfortable for a there and back day. Always check current times before you set off, as timetables and roadworks change.
| Option | Roughly how long | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| By train | About an hour to an hour and ten | Services often run via Perth with an easy change |
| By car | A little over an hour | Head west across the country |
| Best for | A relaxed full day | Morning in Dundee, afternoon with us |
Getting to Stirling from Dundee
By train is the simplest way to travel if you would rather not drive. Many services from Dundee run through Perth, where you change onto a Stirling train, and the whole journey usually takes about an hour to an hour and ten door to platform. Some departures line up better than others, so it is worth checking the live times on the day and giving yourself a few spare minutes for the connection at Perth. Stirling station sits in the town centre, and from there it is a pleasant walk up towards the castle. We are a short stroll downhill from Stirling Castle, at the top of the same street, so aim for the castle and you cannot really miss us.
By car, point yourself west and follow the main routes across to Stirling. The drive is usually a touch over an hour, though traffic around the towns can add a little time at busy periods. There is parking near the castle esplanade at the top of Castlehill, and it is a gentle walk down to the Old Smiddy from there. Whichever way you come, treat all these times as rough guides and check current travel information before you travel.
What to do at Stirling Distillery
Everything here is made and bottled by hand on site, so a visit gets you close to the actual work. Our distillery tours walk you through how we make our spirit in a building that once rang with a blacksmith's hammer. If you would rather sit and sip, our guided gin and whisky tasting experiences take you through the range at a gentle pace with someone who knows every bottle. Short on time or just passing? Our walk in mini tastings need no booking, so you can drop by and try a few. And if you want to get hands on, the Gin School lets you build your own recipe and take home a bottle you distilled yourself.
We are proud of what comes out of this wee place. Our new make spirit was judged the best in the world at the World Whiskies Awards, and our gin has won at the Scottish Gin Awards. Visitors rate us 4.9 on Tripadvisor, where we sit at number 2 of 112 things to do in Stirling. We are open Monday to Saturday 11am to 5pm and Sunday 12 to 5pm, which fits neatly around a mid morning arrival from Dundee. Booking ahead for tours and tastings is wise at busy times.
Make a day of it
Dundee has earned its place as a design city, so start your morning on the waterfront before you head off. The V&A Dundee, Scotland's design museum, sits right on the river and pairs beautifully with the RRS Discovery moored alongside it. Give yourself an hour or two there, grab a coffee looking out over the Tay, then make the easy run west to us for the afternoon. It is a genuinely satisfying day: bold modern design in the morning, hand made spirit in a centuries old workshop by the afternoon.
When you reach Stirling, the distillery and the castle are a natural pair. We sit a short walk downhill from Stirling Castle, at the top of the same street, so you can wander up to the castle ramparts and then come down to the Old Smiddy for a tour or a tasting. If you are driving and want to stretch the day, break the journey with a stop in Perth on the way through. It splits the run nicely and gives you a second town to explore.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Stirling Distillery from Dundee? Stirling sits roughly in the centre of Scotland, about an hour to an hour and ten from Dundee by train and a little over an hour by car heading west. Check current times before you travel.
Can you get from Dundee to Stirling by train? Yes. Trains run regularly, and many services connect through Perth with a quick change onto a Stirling train. The whole trip usually takes about an hour to an hour and ten.
Is Stirling a good day trip from Dundee? It is one of the easiest around. You can pair a morning at the V&A Dundee with an afternoon at the distillery and the castle, all within a comfortable there and back day.
Do you need to book a tour? Booking ahead for tours and tasting experiences is a good idea, especially at busy times. Our walk in mini tastings need no booking, so you can simply drop in.
Plan your visit
Ready to make the run west? Browse our distillery experiences, book a whisky tasting or a gin tasting, or roll up your sleeves at the Gin School. Not sure yet? A gift voucher or something from our gifts range travels well too. We will see you in Stirling.
More distillery day trips to Stirling
Coming from somewhere else? We have a guide for every direction, all leading to the same warm welcome at the Old Smiddy.
