Stirling Castle

Stirlings' Old Town

The Castle
The Old Grammar School
Argyll's Lodging
Mar's Wark
Holy Rude Church
John Cowane's Hospital
John Cowane's House
Auchenbowie's House
Broad Street
The Tolbooth
Norie's House
Darnley's House
Robert Spittal's House
The Town Wall
The Smith Art Gallery

Stirling Castle towers above the river and the medieval bridge. The castle is well defended by cliffs on 3 sides, the castle became a military stronghold and seat of royalty and government.

Stirling Castle rock has been used as a fortress for centuries - probably since Roman times. The earliest buildings upon it mentioned in surviving records are the castle and the chapel dedicated by Alexander 1 in 1120.

From the 12th Century it became one of the principal royal strongholds in Scotland. Destroyed or rebuilt several times in the 13th and 14th centuries, it was close to great battles against the English during the Wars of Independence - Stirling Bridge in 1297 and Bannockburn in 1314.

Links to other Stirling Castle sites:
www.impressions.uk.com
www.scotland-calling.com
www.castles.org
www.caledoniancastles.co.uk