Stirling Castle

Attractions

Stirling Attractions

There has been many Kings and Queens connected to Stirling Castle, King Alexander I died in 1124, and King David I used the castle as a royal residence. James VI grew up in Stirling Castle and his son Henry was born here in 1594.

Stirling Castle was a Royal residence from the time David I (1124)

until James VI was crown as King of England and Scotland in 1603. He then moved to London.

Stirling Castle is the best example of how a 16th century castle interior would look. 

Stirling Castle Scotland as Edinburgh Castle Scotland stands on a Volcanic Rock that overlooks the city.

Mary Queen of Scots coronation also was performed in Stirling Castle’s Chapel Royal in 1543.

Robert the Bruce

Statue Stirling Castle

Robert I of Scotland (Robert the Bruce) who led the successful Battle at Bannockburn against the English, which was to give Scotland independence in 1314. Subject of the film the ‘Outlaw King’ in 2018. 

Argyle and Southern Highlanders

Memorial Statue Stirling

Find out the History of the Argyle and Southern Highlanders and when visiting Edinburgh Castle see the Memorial Fountain on the Castle Esplanade ramparts. Regimental history of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum Tells the story of the 91st Argyllshire Highlanders and the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders up to their amalgamation in 1881 when they became the 1st and 2nd Battalions of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regiment and the history there after.

Castle Drawbridge

Stirling Castle

The Draw-bridge is the entrance to Stirling Castle across a moat which protected the castle outer walls from being climbed the bridge would have been movable but now is of stone and wood built circa 1714.

Forework Gate House

Stirling Castle

The Gate House centre of the forework with at one end of the forework is Elphinstone Tower still stands as it did circa 1500. The other end was Princes Tower of which very little remains. It was said to be used as a nursery for Scotland’s royals.

Stirling Castle View

Stirling Bridge  & Wallace Monument 

The view below is the way the Grand Battery faced protecting the Castle entrance and Old Stirling Bridge where William Wallace defeated the English in 1297.

The French Spur

Stirling Castle

King Henry II of France the father-in-law of Mary Queen of Scots help keep the English out of Scotland. The French occupied Stirling and built the Spur known as the French Spur circa 1554. The gun fortification with 11 guns protected the entrance to the Castle and the Old Stirling Bridge over the Forth.

Guard House

Stirling Castle

The Main Guard House at the entrance to Stirling Castle was built in 1790 and was used to keep order in the Castle Garrison. ​The second Guard House was to watch over the powder magazines, circa 1850 this was converted into cells to maintain order within the Garrison. 

Elphinstone Tower

Stirling Castle

The home to the Castle Constable when the royals were not in residence. and is said to be haunted with many strange things being reported when no-one present. This is the original building of 1505.

Queen Anne Garden

Stirling Castle

This was an area for rest and children to play games and later was a bowling green. It is probably a place they paid football as the oldest football was found in the palace in dating circa 1510. The football was made from leather and pigs bladder. The Royal Palace and Prince's Walk overlook Queen Anne's Garden. 

Great Hall

Stirling Castle

The Great Hall was a banqueting hall built for James IV in 1503 and is the largest of its kind built in Scotland. Used for ceremonies and pageants and once for a meeting of Parliament. Once the royals moved to London it fell out of use. The Great Hall was renovated and brought back to its original glory and opened in 1999 by Queen Elizabeth II taking over 20 years to recreate. 

House of the Fort Major 

Stirling Castle

The fort major was 3rd ranked in the garrison, The house was built circa 1790 when there were circa 800 men based at the castle

Lion’s Den

Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle's Lion's Den is where many Kings kept their Lions. David II and James III both had a lion and James II had a lioness and James Vi had three lions.

Grand Battery

Stirling Castle

The Grand Battery was built in 1698, but was only used once against

the Jacobites and Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1746.

Three Gun Battery

Stirling Castle

The Three gun Battery stands on the remains of Elphinstone Tower part of the Forework (Castle walls) The tower built circa 1510, The tower was bombarded by English troops in 1651 and reduced to rubble. In 1689 it was made into what is a low battery.

Lady’s Lookout

Stirling Castle

This balcony known as the Lady's Lookout overlooked the jousting area and has great views of the the King and Queen's Knots. This is where the Queen with her ladies in waiting would look out over the Knights while they would compete in the joust. 

King’s Knot & Queen’s Knot

Stirling Castle

The King's & Queen's Knots are mounds in original gardens built circa 1265 for Alexander III. The knots are designs added to an older garden structure. There are many theories about the area and Knot some of which are linked to King Arthur and the round table. 

North Gate

Stirling Castle

The North Gate is the oldest surviving part of Stirling Castle.

The vaulted passageway once had a Portcullis gate and kitchens above it. To the right of the gate are steps to the kitchen area (see below).

Great Kitchens

Stirling Castle

The Kitchens were built by James the IV circa 1510 as he was accustomed to have large gatherings Banquets.

When the King's court moved to Stirling Castle in 1543,

19 carriages were used in moving the larder, wine and utensils to the the Kitchen area.

Old Chapel

Stirling Castle

Beside the entrance to the Old Chapel a Knight was found his body with an arrow that had killed him. Possibly of French origin. One of nine graves found at the site

Postern Gate

Stirling Castle

The Postern Gate was built in the castle wall and was a access in and out of the castle to the Gowane Hills, the gate was blocked up in 1689 

Nether Bailey

Stirling Castle

The Nether Bailey was an enclosed area were there were store rooms kennels and the powder magazine and work shops. There was also a gate out of the castle at the far end which was closed in 1689.  

Powder Magazine

Stirling Castle

The Powder rooms were built in 1810 to store the gun powder for the troops the Powder Magazine was built at the furthest point from the barracks and ancient Castle buildings.