Stirling is a city and former ancient burgh, and is at the heart of the wider Stirling council area of Scotland. The city is clustered around a large fortress and medieval old-town. Its population (as of the 2001 census) was 41,243, making it the smallest city in Scotland.

Aberfoyle is a village in the region of Stirling, 27 miles northwest of Glasgow. Population 640 (2004). The main street in Aberfoyle The town is situated at the base of Craigmore (1271 foot high) and on the Laggan, a head-water of the River Forth.

Alloa is a small burgh in Clackmannanshire, 6 miles to the east of Stirling, on the north bank of the River Forth. Its most notable visible landmark is the 14th century Alloa Tower (National Trust for Scotland), the surviving part of the ancestral medieval residence of the Erskine family, the Earls of Mar. Though much altered both externally and internally, the Tower retains its original medieval wooden roof and battlements, as well as some internal features.

Balquhidder is a small village. It is overlooked by the dramatic mountain terrain of the Braes of Balquhidder, at the head of Loch Voil. Balquhidder Glen is also popular for fishing, nature watching and walking. Above the village, Creag an Tuirc is a fine viewpoint, well worth the short climb.

Blair Drummond is a small rural community near Stirling, predominately located along the A84 road. Many of the residents of Blair Drummond are farmers, although others commute to Stirling and as far a field as Edinburgh and Glasgow. Blair Drummond is currently in the Stirling council area, although in the past it has been classified as part of Central Scotland region and before that Perthshire. Other communities bordering Blair Drummond are Gargunnock, Thornhill, Balfron and Doune.

Bridge of Allan is a town just north of the city of Stirling. It  lies on the Allan Water, a left-hand tributary of the River Forth, built largely on the well-wooded slopes of Westerton and Airthrey Hill, sheltered by the Ochil Hills from the north and east winds.

Callander is a burgh in the region of Stirling on the River Teith. The town is located in the former County of Perthshire, and is a popular tourist stop to and from the Highlands. The town serves as the eastern gateway to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, the first National Park in Scotland. Due to its location it is often referred to as the “Gateway to the Highlands".

Doune is a burgh in the district of Stirling, Scotland, on the River Teith. The town is dominated by Doune Castle, built in the late 14th century. Architecturally it constitutes a mixture of fortress and manor-house.

Dunblane is a small town north of Stirling. It has a population of around 10,000, and its main landmark is Dunblane Cathedral. The town is situated off the A9 road, on the way north to Perth. The Allan Water runs through the town centre, with the Cathedral and the High Street on the east side.

Drymen lies to the west of the Campsie Fells and enjoys views to Dumgoyne on the east and to Loch Lomond on the west. The Queen Elizabeth Forest reaches down to the village edge, and the whole area is part of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (the first National Park in Scotland).

Strathblane is a village 12 miles (19.3 km) north of Glasgow, 14 miles (22.5 km) east-southeast of Dumbarton, and 20 miles (32.2 km) southwest of Stirling. It has a total resident population of 1,811. Blanefield is a settlement contiguous with Strathblane. To the east lies the town of Lennoxtown and to the north the Campsie Fells. To the west is the volcanic plug Dumgoyne, Glengoyne Distillery and the Trossachs National Park. The West Highland Way passes close to the village.