See past the grim exterior in an unprepossessing area to the experience beyond. And it is an immersive 'experience ' rather than a museum! The format (and you may have to wait for an entry slot) is: cartoon story giving the background; in a different room a 3D/hologram type experience of soldiers and battle; in a third room: (optional) participation with the strangers in your group in a room-sized, table top game where you enact battle strategy. Finally there's another cartoon in a fourth room to end the story. Outside there are various monuments to Bruce and the battle that have been erected over time, in a grassy, very picnicable setting with good views to Stirling castle. There's also a cheery, relaxed cafe also with views and good soup - and a courtyard to it too. They do breakfast too and it all supports the NTS.

The best thing for me was the volunteer I spoke to in the Weapons Room (?Elsie) who patiently filled me in on the story and background and in a way I could take on board. She was marvellous - so engaging and so discreet one could easily miss all this knowledge unless you ask - so do! It was easy to see why this attraction won NTS volunteer team of the year. Having visited properties with superb volunteers I can imagine the standard was high.. Another plus was seeing the ?10ft schiltron spears - hard to imagine til you see them.

Callum was also helpful with questions, especially considering the group he had to manag and the limited time available because it was very busy. With all the "shall I move the next lot in" etc I felt rather herded. But the 3D was spookily impressive The "speaking people" on the sides of that room - not so good. I felt hemmed in by the visitors around waiting a turn and couldn't take the info in, deciding to leave it to read about instead. The cartoon was good but detailed (the story of the wives capture etc) and therefore complex. The game was long I felt and many people me included took a long time to grasp what was going on. Still the whole experience inspired me to read up on Bannockburn and Bruce afterwards and I think my 8 & 10 year olds will like the 3D part!