Stirling
As far back as the Dark Ages, Stirling was referred to as the ‘Key to the Kingdom’. With its strategic position in the centre of Scotland commanding routes north to the Highlands , south to the Lowlands , west to the Islands and East to Edinburgh , it was said that whomever controlled Stirling, controlled the whole of Scotland.
From the early twelfth century and throughout the Stewart dynasty, Stirling was Scotland’s main seat of power, the centre for Crown, Church and trade. Its central location and the dominance of Stirling Castle underlines the importance of Stirling in Scotland’s heritage as so many historic battles have been fought within sight of the castle walls.
Stirling was pivotal in Scotland’s Wars of Independence with England and its ruthless King Edward I ‘Hammer of the Scots’ and it was in this region that all the key battles were fought; The 1297 battle of Stirling Bridge where ‘Braveheart’ William Wallace defeated a much greater English force. Further a field is Falkirk, the scene for Edward I’s ruthless revenge against Scotland and Wallace a year later. And of course the famous battle of Bannockburn , Scotland’s finest hour where on 24 June 1314 Robert the Bruce overcame a superior force under Edward II, turning the tide for Scotland in their long battle for independence from England.
When James VI became James I of England he moved court to London . Although Stirling’s political significance declined it was still a hub of agricultural life and many light industries blossomed. The ‘Old Town’ leading down from the castle is made up of buildings from this period. Cobbled streets, hidden wynds and town house architecture from the 15th to the 17th Century can bee seen all around the old market area of ‘Mercat Cross’ and within the town walls of the ‘Back Walk’. The best examples you can visit are the Church of the Holy Rude, the Old Town Jail, Mar’s Walk and Argyll’s Lodging. The later has some of the finest examples of 17th Century Renaissance architecture still standing in Scotland and together with its excellently restored opulent private quarters owe to the wealth and power of its household.
Stirling saw a resurgence in the Victorian age and the arrival of the train, it’s location again being the reason. Close enough to the Trossachs and the rest of the Highlands for wealthy Victorian tourists and close enough to Glasgow and Edinburgh for wealthy merchants to live and commute. Many of the attractive suburbs of Stirling, such as Bridge of Allen and Kings Park, grew up around this time and with their pretty Victorian country houses.
Key to the history of Scotland, Stirling is proud of its heritage and its main attractions are sewn into this rich tapestry. Overlooking the site of the battle of Stirling Bridge stands the magnificent Wallace Monument , telling the story of Scotland’s national hero. Two miles outside Stirling is the Bannockburn Heritage Centre near the site of the battle. It’s a visitor attraction befitting the importance of Bannockburn to Scottish heritage. But the main attraction without a doubt is Stirling Castle an imposing site on the town and a real rival to Edinburgh Castle .
