Scottish Property magazine

Stirling is compact and pedestrian-friendly with nearly 100,000 people living in and around the city. The city is a regional shopping destination with four light and airy malls that give rain-free access to over 100 outlets. Everything from your favourite department stores to designer chic can be found at Stirling Arcade and the Thistles Shopping Centre.

Families will appreciate the 40 primary schools and 7 secondary schools including some of the best performing schools in Scotland, with results consistently above the national average.

Stirling has a strong business presence and leading sectors include tourism, financial services, agriculture and food. Its central location and excellent transport links are ideal for attracting investment and reaching customers.

You'll find a thriving sporting community here and whatever your age, you're sure to find a club or organisation to suit you so it's no surprise that the National Centre for Sporting Excellence is located at Stirling University.

Outside of Stirling the surrounding countryside is simply beautiful and you're only a short drive from the stunning Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Proud history, great 'going out' places, contemporary culture, where Highlands and Lowlands meet - just some of the reasons to move to Stirling!

Words Anna Devine

Lying in a setting of rocky crags, mountains and the winding river Forth, Stirling is Scotland's youngest city and 'the brooch which clasps together the Highlands and the Lowlands'. Its strategic location in the centre of the country meant it was the commercial, royal and political centre of Scotland for hundreds of years.

If its history and exploring that float your boat then you're spoiled for choice in Stirling. This city is hugely sentimental in the story of Scotland with legendary battles, kings, heroes and villains all taking their places here. So important was Stirling that it was often said in past times that 'He who holds Stirling holds Scotland', advice that fired William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.

Stirling Castle remains the most spectacular historic landmark with the more recent Wallace monument and Bannockburn Heritage Centre paying testimony to the city's proud past. The Old Town is still thick with reminders from medieval times with an abundance of fascinating places such as Argyll's Lodgings, the Old Town Jail, Cowanes Hospital and Back Walk Beheading Stone. There's enough here to keep you intrigued for years.

These days Stirling has all the buzz and cosmopolitan culture you'd expect from a University City. There is a good variety of theatres, cinemas, contemporary art galleries and live performance spaces including the renowned McRob Arts Centre. You can make going out in Stirling a different experience every weekend with a wide choice of Scottish and international restaurants, great bars and entertainment.