If you fancy a distillery day trip from Falkirk, we have good news. Of all the towns near us, Falkirk is the closest and easiest place to reach Stirling Distillery from. You can be with us in about 20 minutes, whether you hop on a direct train or take the short run up the M9. We are a family run distillery in the Old Smiddy, a former blacksmith's workshop tucked beneath Stirling Castle, and we make and bottle everything by hand on site. That quick journey means you can turn a spare morning into a proper outing, or bolt a distillery visit onto a bigger day out around Falkirk's famous landmarks. Here is how to plan it.
Falkirk to Stirling at a glance
Falkirk sits right on our doorstep, so the logistics are refreshingly simple. There is a direct train that drops you in the heart of Stirling, and the drive is just as fast if you would rather bring the car. Either way you are looking at roughly 20 minutes of travel before you arrive at the top of Lower Castlehill. Please treat the times below as a rough guide and check live times before you set off, since services and traffic do change.
| How | Roughly how long | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| By train | About 20 minutes | Direct from Falkirk Grahamston to Stirling |
| By car | About 20 minutes | Straight up the M9 |
| Best for | A relaxed half day | Easy to pair with the Kelpies or the Falkirk Wheel |
Getting to Stirling from Falkirk
The train is the stress free option. Falkirk Grahamston runs a direct service to Stirling, and the journey usually takes around 20 minutes with no changes to worry about. When you arrive at Stirling station it is a gentle uphill stroll through the old town toward the castle. We are a short walk downhill from Stirling Castle, near the top of the same street, so as you climb toward the castle you will pass us on the way. Do check the current timetable before you travel, as departure times vary through the week and on Sundays.
If you would rather drive, the M9 links Falkirk and Stirling almost door to door and the run tends to take about 20 minutes when the roads are clear. Aim for the castle at the top of the old town and use one of the nearby car parks, then walk the last few minutes down to us on foot, since the streets around the Old Smiddy are narrow and historic. Allow a little extra at busy times or over a weekend. With the journey being this short, plenty of visitors from Falkirk simply come for a tour and a tasting and are home again by teatime.
What to do at Stirling Distillery
We are Scotland's smallest whisky distillery, and we like to think that makes a visit feel personal. You can join a guided distillery tour, book a gin or whisky tasting experience, or drop in for a walk in mini tasting with no booking needed if you are just passing. If you would like to get hands on, the Gin School lets you distil your own bottle to take away.
There is real substance behind the fun too. Our new make spirit was judged the best in the world at the World Whiskies Awards, and our gin has picked up honours at the Scottish Gin Awards. Visitors clearly enjoy it, since we hold a 4.9 rating on Tripadvisor and rank number 2 of 112 things to do in Stirling. We are open Monday to Saturday from 11am to 5pm and Sunday from 12 to 5pm. If you cannot make it in person, we ship across the UK with free delivery over 60 pounds. Have a look at our range of distillery experiences, the whisky tasting, the gin tasting or the Gin School to see what suits your group.
Make a day of it
The joy of coming from Falkirk is that you get two of Scotland's best day out ideas within a short drive of each other. Start close to home with the Kelpies, the towering steel horse head sculptures at Helix Park, or head to the Falkirk Wheel, the rotating boat lift that is unlike anything else in the country. Both are quick to reach before you make the short hop north to us.
Once you are in Stirling, the distillery pairs beautifully with the castle. We sit a few minutes downhill from Stirling Castle at the top of Lower Castlehill, so you can tour the castle, wander the old town, then finish with a tour and a dram or a gin tasting with us. A Falkirk landmark in the morning and a distillery visit in the afternoon makes for a full, easy day without a long drive at either end. A gift experience voucher or something from our gift collection makes a nice memento to take home too.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Stirling Distillery from Falkirk?
Not far at all. Falkirk is the closest town to us, and the journey takes about 20 minutes whether you come by train or by car. We are in the Old Smiddy on Lower Castlehill, a short walk downhill from Stirling Castle.
Can you get from Falkirk to Stirling by train?
Yes. There is a direct train from Falkirk Grahamston to Stirling that usually takes around 20 minutes with no changes. From Stirling station it is a pleasant uphill walk to us. Please check the current timetable before you travel.
Can you visit the Kelpies and Stirling in one day?
Easily. Because the drive between Falkirk and Stirling is only about 20 minutes, you can see the Kelpies or the Falkirk Wheel in the morning and still have plenty of time for a tour and a tasting with us in the afternoon.
Do you need to book a tour?
We recommend booking tours, tastings and the Gin School in advance so we can save you a place. If you are just passing, our walk in mini tastings need no booking, so you are welcome to drop in during opening hours.
Come and see us
With Stirling barely 20 minutes from Falkirk, there is really no easier distillery day out. Book a tour or tasting, try the Gin School, or pick up a gift voucher for someone who would love it. We look forward to welcoming you to the Old Smiddy.
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.
