If you are staying in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and fancy a change of pace, a distillery visit from Loch Lomond and the Trossachs is one of the easiest additions you can make to your trip. Stirling sits right at the southern edge of the park, so we are the natural stop as you come down out of the hills and lochs, a friendly gateway between the Highlands and the Lowlands. We are a small, family run distillery in the heart of the old town, tucked into a former blacksmith's workshop beneath Stirling Castle. When the weather closes over the water, a warm room, a good dram and a story or two make for a lovely rainy day.
From the park to Stirling at a glance
The national park is big and spread out, so your journey time depends on which corner you are setting off from. Driving is by far the simplest way to reach us, since the roads through the Trossachs and around Loch Lomond funnel neatly towards Stirling. Public transport does exist, but it is limited and often routes you through Glasgow, so give yourself plenty of time without a car. Here is a rough guide to help you plan.
| Setting off from | About how long by car |
|---|---|
| Callander | Around 30 minutes |
| Aberfoyle | Around 40 minutes |
| Balloch and Loch Lomond | Around an hour |
| Best for | An easy half day off the hills, or a warm rainy day plan |
Please treat these as a rough steer and check current travel times before you set off.
Getting to Stirling from the Trossachs and Loch Lomond
A car is the way to go for this trip. From Callander you drop down through the countryside and reach us in about half an hour, the quickest run of the lot. From Aberfoyle you are looking at around 40 minutes on quiet country roads that are a pleasure in themselves. From Balloch on the shores of Loch Lomond it is closer to an hour, since you are crossing the width of the park to get here.
Once you are near Stirling, follow signs for the castle and the old town. We are at the Old Smiddy, 9 Lower Castlehill, a short walk downhill from the castle on the same street, so many visitors park near the castle and wander down to us on foot. If you would rather leave the car behind, public transport is honestly a bit awkward from the park. Bus and train links tend to route through Glasgow or into Stirling town centre, then it is a walk or short taxi up the hill to us. It can be done, but it takes patience, so we would gently suggest driving if you can. Whichever way you come, please check current timetables and routes before you travel.
What to do at Stirling Distillery
We are Scotland's smallest whisky distillery, and everything here is made and bottled by hand on site. A guided distillery tour walks you through how we work, from spirit to bottle, in a building with real history in its walls. If you would like to taste as you learn, our guided gin and whisky tasting experiences let you sip your way through the range 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.
For a hands on afternoon, the Gin School lets you make your own bottle to take home, choosing your botanicals and running your own little still. We are proud of what we make. 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 rate us 4.9 on Tripadvisor and number 2 of 112 things to do in Stirling. We are open Monday to Saturday 11am to 5pm and Sunday 12 to 5pm. If you cannot carry bottles home, we ship across the UK with free delivery over 60 pounds.
Make a day of it
The best trips pair the outdoors with something warm and welcoming, and Stirling gives you both in one place. Spend your morning by the water at Loch Lomond, or wander the woods and hills around the Trossachs, Callander and Aberfoyle, then come down to us for the afternoon. Doune Castle is a short drive away and well worth a look, and Stirling Castle sits at the top of our own street, so you can climb up, take in the views, then stroll back down to us for a dram.
This works beautifully on a bright day, but it really comes into its own when the weather turns. The park is stunning and it is also exposed, so when the rain sweeps across the lochs a cosy distillery is exactly where you want to be. We are indoors, we are warm, and there is always a story and a good pour waiting.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Stirling Distillery from Loch Lomond?
From Balloch at the southern end of Loch Lomond we are around an hour by car. The exact time depends on where on the loch you begin, so allow a little extra and check current travel times before you leave.
How do you get to Stirling from the Trossachs?
Driving is easiest. From Callander it is about 30 minutes and from Aberfoyle about 40 minutes on quiet country roads. Public transport is limited and usually routes through Glasgow or into Stirling town centre.
Is Stirling a good rainy day trip from the national park?
Yes. When the weather closes in over the lochs and hills, a warm, indoor distillery visit is a perfect swap. We run tours and tastings all year, so you stay dry and still have a proper Scottish day out.
Do you need to book a tour?
Booking ahead is wise for tours, tasting experiences and the Gin School, especially at weekends. If you are just passing, our walk in mini tastings need no booking at all.
Come and see us
If the park is your base, let Stirling be the warm heart of your day. Browse our distillery experiences, pick a whisky experience or gin experience, or make your own bottle at the Gin School. Not sure yet? A gift voucher or something from our gifts is always welcome.
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.
