A distillery day trip from Perth is one of the easiest good days out you can plan in central Scotland. Perth to Stirling takes about 35 minutes by direct train, which means you can leave the Fair City after a slow breakfast and be tasting hand made spirit by late morning. We are Stirling Distillery, a small family run distillery working out of the Old Smiddy, a former blacksmith's workshop tucked beneath Stirling Castle. Everything we pour is made and bottled by hand on site. Perth and Stirling are both historic royal towns, so this is a day with a proper thread running through it, from one crowning place of Scottish kings to another. Here is how we would spend it.
Perth to Stirling at a glance
The short version is that Stirling sits very close to Perth. You can reach us by direct train or by an easy drive down the A9 and M9, and both take about the same time. If you would rather not think about parking in a busy town centre, the train is the relaxed choice and drops you a walkable distance from us. If you plan to carry on to other spots afterwards, the car gives you the freedom to roam. Either way, please check current times before you travel, since timetables change with the season.
| Option | Journey |
|---|---|
| By train | About 35 minutes, direct from Perth to Stirling |
| By car | About 35 minutes on the A9 then the M9 |
| Best for | A relaxed half day or full day pairing two royal towns |
Getting to Stirling from Perth
The train is our pick for most visitors. Direct services run between Perth and Stirling and the journey is around 35 minutes, so you are barely settled with a coffee before the guard calls your stop. From Stirling railway station it is a pleasant stroll up into the old town, and we sit near the top of it, so you get a little of the castle views on your way in. No parking to worry about and no need to swap trains, which makes it a genuinely gentle way to arrive.
If you would rather drive, the route is just as simple. Head south from Perth on the A9 and then join the M9 towards Stirling, which again takes about 35 minutes in normal traffic. Once you are in Stirling you will find parking around the town centre and near the castle, though the streets closest to us are old and narrow, so most drivers use one of the nearby car parks and walk the last few minutes. Whichever way you come, do check live times and road conditions on the day, because both trains and traffic can shift, especially at weekends and around events.
What to do at Stirling Distillery
We are Scotland's smallest whisky distillery, and we like to think we punch well above our size. When you visit you can join a distillery tour and see how a tiny team makes spirit start to finish, all by hand and all under one roof. We also run guided gin and whisky tasting experiences for people who want to slow down and really taste what is in the glass. If you are passing without a booking, that is fine too, because our walk in mini tastings need no reservation at all.
For a hands on afternoon, our Gin School lets you make your own gin, choosing botanicals and taking home a bottle you distilled yourself. On the proof side, we are rated 4.9 on Tripadvisor and ranked number 2 of 112 things to do in Stirling, 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. We are open Monday to Saturday from 11am to 5pm and Sunday from 12 to 5pm. If you fall for a bottle, we ship across the UK with free delivery on orders over 60 pounds.
Make a day of it
Because Perth and Stirling are both old royal burghs, you can build a day that leans into that shared history. Before you leave Perth, it is well worth a morning at Scone Palace, the crowning place of Scottish kings, with its grounds and its long thread of royal stories. A wander through Perth's riverside city centre rounds the morning off nicely before you travel.
Then, once you reach us, Stirling Castle is right on the doorstep. The distillery is a short walk downhill from the castle, which sits at the very top of our street, so you can climb up for the ramparts and the views and then roll back down to us for a tasting to finish. It makes for a neat and genuinely regal loop, from the place Scottish kings were crowned in Perthshire to the castle that guarded the route north. Add a bite to eat in the old town and you have a full, unhurried day that ties two of Scotland's great historic towns together.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Stirling Distillery from Perth?
Stirling is close to Perth. The journey is about 35 minutes by direct train and a similar time by car on the A9 and M9. From Stirling station or the town car parks we are a short walk up into the old town.
Can you get from Perth to Stirling by train?
Yes. Direct trains run between Perth and Stirling and take around 35 minutes. It is one of the simplest ways to visit us, with no changes and no parking to sort out. Please check current times before you travel.
What else is there to do in Stirling for the day?
Plenty. Stirling Castle sits at the top of our street, and the old town around it is full of history. Pair a castle visit with a tour or tasting at the distillery and you have an easy, full day out.
Do you need to book a distillery tour?
We recommend booking tours, tastings and the Gin School in advance so we can hold your spot, especially at weekends. If you are just passing, our walk in mini tastings need no booking at all.
Ready to plan it? Browse our distillery tours and experiences, or go straight to a guided whisky tasting or gin tasting. Fancy making your own bottle? Book the Gin School. Visiting someone special can be a gift voucher or something from our gifts. Coming from elsewhere? We also have guides for Edinburgh and Glasgow, plus more distilleries near 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.
