Hold Stirling Castle and you control Scotland
There’s no better time to visit Stirling Castle than early morning when the mist is rolling over the hills and the cold air is still grabbing the breath from your chest.
Stirling Castle was the favourite residence of the Stewart kings and queens, arguably the most famous dynasty in Scottish history. Mary Queen of Scots was crowned at Stirling when she was nine months old. Apparently she cried loudly throughout the ceremony.
It was strategically important during the 13th and 14th Century Wars of Independence.
The famous fortress is about an hour by car from Edinburgh and 30 minutes from Glasgow. The gates open at 9.30 am but be early because Stirling Castle is very, very popular _ and the car park often overflows causing traffic chaos along St John Street. Alternatively, and just a thought, if you are not early be late as the bus tours depart around 2pm.
The castle, with its mix of Late Gothic Revival, Renaissance, and Scottish Baronial architecture, has superb views over the River Forth to the National Wallace Monument, Ben Lomond and the Ochils. Most visitors agree that it is Scotland’s finest castle – better even than Edinburgh.
Admission is around $20 (depending on the exchange rate) and parking is about $7. The castle has reasonable wheelchair access considering it is ancient building.
Your will discover more with a guide
It is best to tour the castle with a guide but if you don’t want to follow a group then you can rent an audio tour that allows you to proceed at your own pace.
Start at the Royal Palace of James V _ a snapshot of royal life in the 1500s. Most experts agree that this is how the palace’s six rooms would have looked during this period _ rich in colour and decorated with elaborate tapestries.
The castle’s Great Hall, the largest banquet hall constructed in medieval times, was built for James IV around 1503. It is not hard to imagine this room filled with people enjoying a raucous feast with loud music and way too much ale.
Stirling Castle is also the home of the museum that charts the history of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. The regiment served in the Zulu Wars in southern Africa, the Peninsular War is Spain and Portugal, and the Crimean War.
The museum displays include uniforms, bagpipes, swords, guns and drums but the most absorbing inclusions are the letters from soldiers. They are fascinating and compelling reading.
