Stirling Castle, Stirling, Scotland, 2013

29 April, 2013

Stirling Castle is a very imposing castle sitting on an extinct volcano 250 feet above the plain between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Because of its position, Stirling Castle became a strategic military base during the 13^th and 14^th century Wars of Independence and was the favourite Royal Residence of many of the Kings and Queens of Scotland. Mary Queen of Scots spent her childhood in Stirling Castle and her coronation took place in the Chapel Royal in 1543. 
(Remember to Click on the photos to enlarge them)

The Grand Stirling Castle

Tom with King Robert the Bruce

Boar War Statue 

Tom with the Canons 

The castle dates back to the 12^th century and the present buildings were built between 1490 and 1600, by order of various Scottish Kings. The outer defences were erected the early 18^th century. The Palace Royal has an ornate façade of tall windows and niches which contain a selection of grotesque carved and Renaissance sculptures and it is indeed very impressive. 

Some of the remaining  Grotesque Statues

The King's Chamber  was originally decorated with an intricate ceiling of over 100 carved oak heads (the Stirling Heads) but many of these were lost or destroyed. The few that remain today, about 25, are on display.

Part of a Restored Carvings on a  Door

Note the Restored Stirling Head on the Ceiling

Fran Warming her Hands !

Chaplain (Guide) in the restored  Kings Rooms

Over the centuries parts of the Castle were striped for military use and the Royal Chambers were converted to mess rooms and officers quarters. From 1800 to 1964 it was home to the Regiment of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Since being taken over by Historic Scotland some sections of the castle  are being restored to their former magnificence. The Great Hall has been restored  with an amazing oak hammerbeam roof ,leadlight windows and interior galleries.

The Great Hall

Today Stirling Castle is a major tourist attraction because of the excellent displays, the recreated 16^th century kitchens and the Regimental Museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders which details their eventful history from 1794 onwards.

Tom with French Armour from 1546

Fran in the 16th Century Kitchen

Pie Anyone?

Even though it was bitterly cold and wet we thoroughly enjoyed wandering around  the outer walls, the Great Hall, Chapel Royal, Regimental Museum and the Tapestry Studio where skilled weavers recreating the Hunt and Unicorn Tapestries.