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Stirling Castle | |
County |
Stirling | |
How to get there |
15 miles north-west of Grangemouth, off M80 | |
History
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Stirling castle
is situated at the gateway to the highlands and on the main ford the River Forth.
Its strategic position made it the one of most vital possessions in Scotland. The
oldest parts of the castle date from the 15th century but some of the castle's greatest
history dates from a time when the fortress was still mainly constructed from wood.
During the Wars of Independence the fortress changed hands more than any other castle. In 1296 Edward I seized the castle but in 1297 William Wallace retook it. Although Wallace lost the castle again in 1298, the Scots were able to reclaim it in 1299. However, In 1304 Edward I took the castle again after a furious siege. This time the English held the castle until 1314 when they were defeated by Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn. He had the castle dismantled so that it could not fall back into English hands. Only after the accession of the Stuarts did any serious building take place at Stirling Castle. Between the reigns of James III and James VI there was a great period of architectural achievement. The central gatehouse with its flanking towers and curtain wall, the Palace, the Great Hall, the Chapel Royal and the King's Old Buildings all date from this period. James III was born at the castle in 1451 and it became a dower-house for various queens. After the Union of Crowns in 1603 and the removal of the King and his court to England, the palace was neglected. James VI (James I of England) only visited the castle on two further occasions in his life and although the palace was maintained in readiness, subsequent monarchs stayed for brief periods of just one or two nights. In 1651 General Monck besieged the castle for three days causing considerable damage. The garrison mutinied forcing the King's Governor to surrender. The castle's last military action was in during the Jacobite Rising when King George's troops held the stronghold to prevent the Highlanders from crossing the Forth and in 1746 the castle was besieged unsuccessfully by Prince Charles Edward. From 1881 to 1964 the castle was a depot for recruits into the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders but today it serves no military function. A huge statue of King Robert the Bruce overlooks the approach to the castle and seven battlefields can be seen from the grounds. |
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