visit scotland information centre

• Jump to main content

Scroll to main content

From pristine beaches to magnificent castles, exciting cultural attractions and ancient heritage, Scotland has it all. Come pay us a visit. We promise you won't be disappointed.

Events & Festivals

Travel essentials, visa and immigration, accommodation, getting around scotland.

Sure, we have stunning castles and monuments. Yeah, we have more than 460 museums and galleries. Of course, we have internationally-renowned, national performance companies. However, we’re also an amazing hotbed of new and emerging music, home to one of the largest concert venues in the UK and have a well-earned reputation for putting on a party and having a great time.

Learn more about Scottish culture

Food and Drink

Learn about scotland, map of scotland, money and currency, safety and inclusivity.

VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Read more about the work that we do and our team that delivers it.

Information about VisitScotland

In this section, annual and corporate reports.

These reports offer a range of information on various aspects of our business.

Find out how to get in touch with us, and where we’re located. This includes details of our offices, regional teams, and Industry Relationship Managers.

Jobs and careers

We want the world to know how amazing a visit to Scotland can be. So whether it's visitors or employees, we know a thing or two about making people feel welcome!

Our policies

Find out more about the policies that guide all our practices and activities.

Find out about our five directorates and meet our Board, Chairman and Chief Executive.

VisitScotland's response to COVID-19

This page outlines how we changed our operations to aid the survival of our industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our website policies

Learn more about our website terms of use and our accessibility policies.

We aim to build a destination and visitor experience to allow tourism and events to flourish. Find information on how we do this.

• Stirling XP

Useful local information

Visit scotland information centre.

The Visit Scotland Information Centre is the place to come when looking for in depth information about all aspects of your stay in Stirling. The Staff are hugely knowledgeable and can help you with information about accommodation, attractions, and any other information you may require on a trip to Stirling and throughout Scotland.

The Visitor Information Centre is located at  The Old Town Jail, St. John Street, Stirling, FK8 1EA

Call Direct on  01786 475019 or email  here

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Stirling is well serviced by public transport both locally and nationally. You can visit Traveline Scotland  or call  0871 200 22 33  for up to date transport information.

USEFUL NUMBERS

Visit Scotland Information Centre:  01786 475019

Traveline Scotland:  0871 200 22 33

Scotrail:  0845 601 5929

Police non-emergency:  101

Minor Injuries Unit:  01786 434 036  (Stirling)

Accident and Emergency:  01324 566 000  (Larbert)

Saturn Taxis:  01786 811111

USEFUL WEBSITES

Traveline Scotland

National Rail

Edinburgh Airport

Glasgow Airport

VisitScotland

ACCESSIBILITY

In spite of steep streets and old buildings, Stirling is an increasingly accessible city. Both our rail and bus station also have disabled access.

Visit Acess Forth Valley to help you plan your visit to the area. The website offers a number of itineraries with useful information on disability-friendly attractions, restaurants and accommodation providers.

POSTAL SERVICES

The main Post Office in Stirling is located in WH Smith in the Thistle shopping centre with post boxes located throughout the city.

Good to Know

For information on disability-friendly activities, accommodation providers and restaurants visit Access Forth Valley.

You may also like…

Stirling Wolf

There’s a beast loose on the streets of Stirling…The Big Bad Wolf, in fact, though this not-so… 

Around Stirling

Step away from the hustle and bustle of Stirling's city life and you'll be delighted by scenic towns… 

A Real Game of Thrones

Visit some of the locations where key events in Jacobite history took place. 

Signup for News & Offers

• © 2024 Your Stirling
• Terms & Conditions
• Cookie Policy
• Privacy Policy

This site uses cookies

We use cookies to help deliver the best experience on our website. By continuing, you agree to the use of cookies. Learn more in our cookie policy

• Top Stories
• All Scotland
• Glasgow & West
• Edinburgh & East
• North East & Tayside
• Highlands & Islands
• Entertainment
• UK & International
• News at Six

News / Scotland

All VisitScotland tourist information centres to close

TikTok, YouTube, online travel websites and tools like AI are among the ways people now find and plan holiday experiences. 

Share this story

All tourist information centres run by VisitScotland are set to close over the next two years as visitors are being influenced to plan their trip before they leave home.

It follows significant changes to the way people plan their holidays with most using online resources and travel specialists to research and book all aspects of their trips. 

This includes arranging accommodation and activities before they arrive at their destination.

The way visitors access information is changing, and the sphere of influence has widened far beyond in-person and print media to include social media, influencer marketing, online inspiration and online booking.    

TikTok, YouTube, online travel websites and tools like AI are among the ways people now find and plan holiday experiences.  

Similarly, with almost two thirds (64%) of international visitors to Scotland booking as part of a package, the role tour operators and travel agents can play in helping international visitors plan holidays to Scotland has also become increasingly important. 

To adapt to this shift in behaviour, VisitScotland said it will instead invest its resources and expertise in a digital-first strategy by targeting channels it knows visitors use to inspire and influence where visitors go, when they come and what they do, including promoting lesser-known destinations and quieter times of year. 

The new approach aims to help the national tourism organisation to deliver its core purpose to drive the visitor economy and grow its value to Scotland by reaching more people and influencing visitors from global markets. 

The UK Government Minister for Scotland John Lamond described the move as a “blow to our towns” adding it “puts at a disadvantage the many thousands of tourists who use their services”.

UK Government Minister for Scotland John Lamont said: “The closure of all 25 VisitScotland tourist information centres across the country will be a blow to our towns and puts at a disadvantage the many thousands of tourists from the UK and beyond, who use their services. While online tourism is growing, it is not available to all and these centres from Lerwick to Dumfries ensure vital information can be accessed by those tourists, particularly the elderly. 

“I’d urge the Scottish Government to consider the impact this will have on local businesses and on visitors to areas where tourism is a huge part of the local economy.”

All VisitScotland information centres – known as iCentres – will operate as usual until the end of September as part of a phased two-year closure programme. 

VisitScotland is currently engaging with stakeholders to discuss local arrangements. 

Lord Thurso, VisitScotland’s chair, said: “The tourism landscape has changed significantly in recent years. The demand for iCentres has reduced while the demand for online information and booking has continued to grow. In order to continue building demand and growing the value of tourism and events, it is vitally important that we target channels we know visitors use to influence them to visit Scotland.

“Our research shows that as an organisation, we have a greater and more impactful role to play in providing information before visitors travel. Prioritising a digital-first model of information provision allows us to reach potential visitors at those early planning stages when we can shape their future travel decisions.

“Together with businesses and our partners, we want to build on success and ensure that across all areas of our work – marketing, destination development, business advice, insights and events – we prioritise the activities that will deliver for our industry and for Scotland.

“By evolving our work in this way, we will be able to invest in the activities that will accelerate sustainable growth in the visitor economy, helping create jobs, sustain communities and attract investment for the future.”

STV News is now on WhatsApp

Get all the latest news from around the country

Follow STV News on WhatsApp

Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

Today's Top Stories

Greens urge yousaf to 'step aside' as crunch vote on his future as fm looms, toddler in hospital after being hit by land rover in mcdonald's car park, salmond says alba will make 'reasonable' demands to save humza yousaf, 'suspicious' death of man found seriously injured in street prompts investigation, alba’s ash regan says price of support will be higher as humza yousaf ‘dithers’, police appeal after jewellery worth over £4,000 stolen during break-in, ex-police officer becomes scotland's newest millionaire after lottery win, popular videos, 'my wavy blonde hair was my identity and to lose that felt really awful', yousaf's fate hangs on single msp as greens will vote to oust first minister, playwriting workshop helps young ukrainians share their stories, firefighters battle blaze overnight for 12 hours at derelict mansion, ministers urged to ‘poverty proof’ childcare by expanding free places, latest in scotland, a cooler, wetter april - but what's in store for the rest of spring, yousaf 'can't rule out' scottish election as he faces vote of no confidence, green msp bursts into tears on radio at yousaf ending bute house agreement, former rival kate forbes backs yousaf’s leadership as fm seeks way forward, labour to lodge no-confidence vote in scottish government, humza yousaf: i won't resign and i'll fight and win no-confidence votes, 'victory for scotland's seas' as ministers lose appeal over dredging, trending now, beachcomber, 13, finds ‘holy grail’ lego octopus washed ashore from 1997 spill, sean ‘diddy’ combs files motion to dismiss some claims in sexual assault lawsuit, the broons join 'braw' initiative to help scots recover after hospital stays.

Visitor Centres

On this page….

Get top tips on what to see and do, pick up a local map or find out the weather forecast…

Want to get the best out of your time in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park? Stop off at a Visitor Information Centre where the informed staff will be on hand to help you out with all the essential information you need.

Balmaha Visitor Centre

The visitor centre is based in the pretty village of Balmaha, one of the most popular locations in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Set on the east side of the iconic Loch Lomond and at the foot of Conic Hill on the famous West Highland Way, it offers stunning woodlands, water and mountains.

The Centre has children’s activities, a play area and toilets (£0.50 charge).

+44 (1389) 722100

Opening times : Saturday and Sunday: 9:30 – 4pm

Students visit supported by one of our lovely Rangers

VisitScotland’s Aberfoyle Information Centre is centrally located in Main Street and can offer inspiration and advice to help you make the most of your time in this beautiful part of Scotland. Public toilets are next door.

A Changing Places facility is available Mon – Fri 9am – 6pm, Sat- Sun 9am – 4pm.

+44 (01877) 3821352

Opening times:

• 10am – 4pm (until 27th March)
• 9.30am – 5pm (from 28th Mar to 31st Oct 2022)

Duke’s Pass

The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre is ideal for relaxing and enjoying the spectacular views, strolling to the waterfall, visiting the Red Squirrel Hide or swinging through the trees with Go Ape – the choice is yours. There’s a cafe with panoramic views and all the information needed to explore the Forest Park and public toilets.

Duke’s Pass (1 mile/1.8km north of Aberfoyle on the A821), FK8 3SX

0300 067 6615

Opening times (The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre and Café):

• 10am – 4pm

VisitScotland’s Balloch Information Centre is located in the beautiful red sandstone Old Station Building in the centre of Balloch, directly opposite Balloch Central train station. A public toilet is located outside the VIC (a small charge is applicable).

+44 (01389) 753533

• 10am – 5pm

Glen Finglas

The Visitor Gateway at Glen Finglas estate features a range of information about our work to restore native woodland habitat and how this work forms part of The Great Trossachs Forest, one of the most significant woodland regeneration projects to take place in a generation.

Please email Gwen Raes at [email protected] or call 0187 737 6340.

• April to October, 10am – 4pm

Share this page

• Share on facebook
• Share on twitter
• Share on pinterest
• Share this page by email

We've noticed that you're using an out of date browser. We recommend that you update to the latest version to enhance your browsing experience.

Availability Search for  Kirkwall iCentre

Terms & conditions.

This booking system and any information appearing on this page relating to the availability of any accommodation is provided by third parties and not by VisitScotland. It is intended to provide real time availability information relating to accommodation which is also provided by third parties. You may use this booking system to place direct bookings with third party accommodation providers. Any booking you make will not be placed with VisitScotland and we will have no liability to you in respect of any booking. If you proceed to make a booking you will leave our Website and visit a website owned and operated by a third party. VisitScotland does not have any control over the content or availability of any external website. This booking system and any information appearing on this page is provided for your information and convenience only and is not intended to be an endorsement by VisitScotland of the content of such linked websites, the quality of any accommodation listed, or of the services of any third party.

Kenny Lam, VisitScotland. All rights reserved.

Kirkwall iCentre

The iCentre in Kirkwall is located adjacent to the Bus Station in the Kirkwall Travel Centre. Pay and Display car parking is available in close proximity.

Kirkwall is an open and inviting iCentre, providing information and inspiration to both visitors and locals. Bus and ferry timetables are available within the centre and Citylink tickets are available for sale, as are Historic Scotland tickets for sites across Orkney and Scotland. Local experts with a wide range of knowledge on the local area and beyond are able to advise you on how to get the best experience of Orkney. The RSPB have an information point in the centre offering a range of information and leaflets to take away.

The iCentre offers free WiFi and is open all year round.

Accessibility

• Hearing Loop
• Wheelchair access throughout
• Level access to all public areas
• Access guide
• Suitable for visitors with limited mobility

Payment Methods

• Credit Card

Awards & Schemes

The content of many of our web listings is provided by third party operators and not VisitScotland. VisitScotland accepts no responsibility for (1) any error or misrepresentation contained in third party listings, and (2) the contents of any external links within web listings ((1) and (2) together hereinafter referred to as the "Content"). VisitScotland excludes all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the Content. The Content is provided for your information only and is not endorsed by VisitScotland.

What's Nearby

Accommodation, attractions, food & drink, terms and conditions.