The Forth and Clyde Junction Railway opened a line to Balloch Central three years later serving the main station.

Following a competition, the current station buildings were constructed by Caledonian Railway in 1912-15 by James Miller and William A. Paterson, at a cost of £36,291.

The line to Balloch lost its passenger services in 1934 and closed as a through route in 1942, although the section from Stirling to Port of Menteith remained open for freight until 1959.

The main line from Stirling to Dunfermline was not scheduled for closure under the Beeching Axe, but it was nevertheless closed in 1968.

It was raised to allow the tracks underneath to be electrified, and lifts installed to allow step-free access to platform 9.

[11] Miller's design continues the circular spaces and flowing curves of his celebrated Wemyss Bay station.

Most services are operated by ScotRail; with two trains per day southbound to London Kings Cross and one train per day northbound to Inverness operated by London North Eastern Railway (a second northbound service terminates at Stirling); and one train per day Sunday – Friday southbound to London Euston and northbound to Inverness operated by Caledonian Sleeper.

A major Scottish area timetable recast in 2018 backed by Transport Scotland will see improved journey times from Stirling to both Edinburgh and Glasgow and more frequent services to Gleneagles, Dundee, Perth and Inverness.