Mars Wark - an historic building in stirling

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

Like Argyll's Lodging, this building was started in the 1570's . The

Earl of Mar was one of the richest and most powerful men in Scotland. He was elected Guardian of the infant King James VI of Scotland, Regent of Scotland and Governor of Stirling Castle.

The richly carved frontage displays the Royal Arms above the archway and the arms of the Regent Mar and his Countess on the towers.

The Earl of Mar lived in the building until the end of the 17th Century. Later it was repaired to house soldiers and in the 1730's the town council made plans to convert it into a workhouse, hence the name Mar's Wark.