A late eighteenth-century former grammar school now welcomes hotel and restaurant visitors on the steep approach to Stirling Castle.
Quick facts
- Date
- Built 1788; restored 1961
- Architect / designer
- Gideon Gray
- Type
- Former grammar school adapted as a hotel and restaurant
- Designation
- Listed building, Category B (LB41256)
- OS grid reference
- NS 79209 93848
Architecture and continuing use
The three-storey rubble front centres on a slightly advanced pedimented pair of bays, with attic, rear stair tower and wings behind.
Its story
Gideon Gray built the present structure in 1788 on the site of an older grammar school. It was restored in 1961 and now operates as The Portcullis.
Why it is included
Its adaptive use keeps a long educational site active at the head of Stirling’s historic route to the castle.
What to notice
- Pedimented central bays.
- Rubble walling with contrasting margins.
- Relationship to Castle Wynd and the castle approach.
Reading the surroundings
This is a working hotel and restaurant. Public hospitality spaces follow current opening and booking arrangements.
Timeline
- Built 1788 Gideon Gray built the present structure in 1788 on the site of an older grammar school. It was restored in 1961 and now operates as The Portcullis.
- Present Operating hotel, restaurant and bar.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The possible incorporation of medieval fabric is not confirmed; the designation records it as a question rather than a fact.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: The Portcullis, Stirling, LB41256 — Designation category, mapped location, construction phases, fabric, authorship and architectural interest.
- The Portcullis — Current hotel and restaurant use, address, reservations and contact information.
Location
OS grid reference NS 79209 93848 · Location confidence: High: the HES designation provides an official mapped National Grid Reference and the current source confirms the Place relationship or present identity. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
Suggest a marker correction
Suggest a more accurate position
The teal marker is the current published position. The orange marker starts slightly to its right so both remain visible; this is only a visual starting position. Tap the correct place on the map or drag the orange marker. Sending this form creates a private review entry only; it does not move the published marker.
Check this area in Google Maps Choose the Satellite layer there if useful.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors. You can also enter checked coordinates below.