Stirling Named Best Place to Visit in UK for 2026 by Time Out
Stirling, UK – In a recent announcement, Time Out has officially recognized Stirling as the best place to visit in the UK for 2026. This prestigious accolade solidifies the city’s position as a top-tier destination for heritage-led tourism and major cultural events, including the Stirling Highland Games and International Gathering.
Outranking established tourism powerhouses such as Edinburgh and Glasgow, Stirling’s historic credentials, natural landscape, and transport connectivity were highlighted as key factors in its top ranking. The Highland Games, in particular, was noted as a major driver of visitor appeal.
This latest recognition follows Stirling’s designation as Scotland’s top visitor destination by Lonely Planet last year, showcasing the area’s consistent growth in the tourism economy.
Stirling Council Leader Susan McGill welcomed the news, stating that it is validation of the area’s long-term investment in culture, place-making, and visitor experience. “We are proud to have been named as the best place to visit in the UK by Time Out. This recognition reflects Stirling’s world-class tourism offering – from our scenery and heritage to our attractions, communities, and events. We look forward to welcoming visitors from across the world in 2026,” said McGill.
Stirling offers a high-value, high-impact visitor experience with its world-famous landmarks such as Stirling Castle and the National Wallace Monument, direct access to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, and a compact, walkable city center.
In naming Stirling as its top pick, Time Out explicitly advised visitors to plan their trip around the Stirling Highland Games and International Gathering, taking place on 15 August 2026. UK News Editor Ed Cunningham wrote, “We suggest taking advantage of the new train route in August, when you can combine your city break with the Stirling Highland Games and International Gathering.” The Games were described as one of the country’s mightiest cultural events, reinforcing their status as a national and international draw.
Stirling Highland Games President Matt McGrandles was thrilled with the recognition from Time Out. “Having taken the reins more than a decade ago, this recognition is extremely welcome. That said, the credit rightly belongs to the team behind the scenes. Our organisers, committee, and volunteer stewards put in an extraordinary effort each year, and without their commitment – alongside the continued support of our Supporting Partners and Friends of the Games – we simply could not deliver an event of this scale or significance. There is no room for complacency. We are focused on building on recent success, and investing in improvements to our location is now a critical priority,” said McGrandles.
Stirling’s appeal is set to increase further with the launch of a new direct and affordable Lumo rail service from London in 2026, significantly improving access for UK and international visitors. Other highlights this year include the themed Culture Night project, called Carnival of the Wolf in May, the Stirling Walking the Marches in May, and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Showcase on Armed Forces Day in June.
Together, these developments create a compelling commercial and cultural proposition, with the Stirling Highland Games positioned as a flagship moment within a broader, high-performing events ecosystem.
The message from Time Out is clear – Stirling’s organizations are delivering. Collaboration, authentic heritage, serious cultural assets, and globally recognizable events – led by the Stirling Highland Games and International Gathering – are translating into measurable destination credibility.
For visitors planning 2026, and for stakeholders invested in Scotland’s tourism economy, Stirling is no longer a hidden gem. It’s a market-leading, event-driven destination firmly on the UK’s cultural map.