Prologue
What makes a castle distinctive?
Is it stone and turrets? Every castle has those. Lavish architecture? To a point, but what really makes a castle special—a symbol if you will—is the events it has witnessed, and the people associated with it. Like Edinburgh Castle. Like the Tower of London. Like Hogwarts.
Enter Stirling Castle, Scotland. Today, I will attempt to shed some light on the castle and the skirt-wearing warriors who called it home.
Where You’ll Find It
With just one area of approach, the castle could be easily defended
Perched upon Castle Hill, a crag surrounded by steep cliffs on three sides, Stirling Castle is blessed with natural defences. Its ramparts overlook two of the most important battlefields in Scottish history – Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn.
What You’ll Find Within
The Great Hall: Blending both English and Scottish designs, the Great Hall was built in 1503 – a peaceful time when the two sides were not busy stabbing each other.
Note the renaissance architectural style
Forework: Constructed in 1506, its stone turrets provided little protection against contemporary artillery. Why was it built? Because the shrewd ruler at the time preferred to spend money on buildings that were more fashion, less function.
Royal Palace: Widely acclaimed as one of the most impressive buildings in Scotland, the Royal Palace is a blend of renaissance architecture and late-gothic influences.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons | Otter
Okay, enough on brick and stone. Let’s talk a bit about the people who made Stirling’s story worth telling.
Stirling’s Storymakers
Sir William Wallace: Scottish rebel/freedom fighter who was appointed the Guardian of Scotland for sending the English scurrying during the Battle of Stirling Bridge. He was later hanged by the English. Oh well…
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons | AndreasPraefcke
Edward I: Known as ‘Longshanks’ for his imposing height (six feet two inches) and a temper fierce enough to scare the kilts off the Scots—and the English. He harboured an unhealthy obsession for Stirling and even controlled it for some time before William Wallace came along and politely asked him to move out, after slaughtering 5,000 of his men. He could win wars through soldiery and stratagem, but was not a lot of fun at parties.
Robert the Bruce: Eventual king of Scotland after defeating the English in the fields of Bannockburn. He murdered his closest rival to the throne inside a church, so wasn’t exactly the Pope’s favourite.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons | Christian Bickel
Some Facts on Stirling
- During the Scottish Wars of Independence between 1296 and 1342, Stirling Castle changed hands eight times between the Scots and the English. If adulterous castles were to be judged, Stirling would be wearing a veil of shame.
- After ousting the English from Stirling Castle for the umpteenth time, Robert the Bruce –confident ruler that he was – decided that the castle was simply too strong for its own good and ordered some of its defences to be demolished.
- In 1452, William, the 8th Earl of Douglas was assassinated within the castle by James II and his posse. Legend claims he was stabbed 26 times. Consensus divided on whether he did a Caesar and whispered “Et tu, James?” before croaking.
- In 1543, at the mature age of nine months, Mary Queen of Scots was crowned queen. The pomp and show of the ceremony was diminished somewhat by the fact that the Queen kept wailing throughout.
The Castle Today
Pictured: Stirling Castle’s massive Forework
In 2011, a major restoration effort costing £12 million was completed. Most of the buildings have been restored to their former glory. While touring the castle, you can meet costumed court officials, maids of honour and bodyguards. Kids can try dressing up in period costumes and playing medieval instruments.
Add a couple of museums, gift shops and a restaurant with an atmospheric view of the countryside and you have a worthy contender for a nice family visit.
Epilogue
Witness to wars, intrigues, coronations and assassinations; the stony walls of Stirling Castle have silently absorbed tales that formed the more eventful parts of Scottish history.
So, what makes Stirling Castle distinctive? I believe it’s the stories it has to tell.