Stirling

Stirling needs 1 day: Stirling Castle, one of Scotland's grandest, on a volcanic crag overlooking several historic battlefields, in a morning walk, and the National Wallace Monument, in the afternoon. April-October is best. It's mid-priced by British standards. Its strategic position -controlling the only crossing of the River Forth for centuries- made it the setting for some of the most decisive battles of Scottish independence, including William Wallace's 1297 victory.