Stirling Castle

What better way to spend a Friday afternoon than exploring a 500 year old castle?

Stirling Castle, located in Stirling, is one of the largest and most important castles in Scottish history. Surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs, the castle held a strong, defensive position throughout history (can you imagine scaling that rock face in an attack?!)

There have been at least eight sieges of the castle, including several during the Scottish Wars of independence, with the last being in 1746 when Prince Charles Edward Stuart was unsuccessful in his attempt to take the castle. 

Most of the current structures on the castle grounds were built in the 15th & 16th century, and many of Scotland's kings and queens were crowned at the location, most famously Mary Queen of Scots in 1542.

My favourite thing about Stirling Castle is the incredible views of the castle grounds, often from small windows and hidden corners.

Equally impressive are the views of the land below, my favourite of which was from the 'ladies' balcony' and offered incredible views of the lush green landscapes and the rock face of the steep cliffs the castle is built upon.

The views towards the city are also beautiful, and I found myself wondering what it must have been like to look out on land as it's ruler and protector. I think this is one of my favourite things about visiting castles: imagining what it would have been like to live or work there, and how different life would have been hundreds of years ago. Instead of looking out and admiring the scenery, thinking of which angle I will best capture the shot, imagine thinking strategically about defence during an attack and how best to protect your kingdom?

The neat thing about these castle grounds is that the different structures were built (and rebuilt) at various times after battles and fires (of which there were many, probably due to large amounts of wood decor  inside, and the many fireplaces throughout (necessary for heat and light). 

The many doorways and tunnels around the castle grounds make exploring especially fun, I would have loved to spend the day here as a child! 

The inside of the castle is a bit sparser than I expected decor wise, however I imagine that's how it would have been back in that time period.

Unicorns are present throughout the castle, with this intricate tapestry just one of many filling an entire room. Fun fact: unicorns are the national animal of Scotland. Seriously, I'm not joking (google it if you don't believe me!)

This is one of many wooden carvings in the castle, some decorating the ceilings of the rooms, and a gallery of the originals available for viewing. This creepy carving of a court jester is my favourite (sorry in advance for any nightmares this may inspire).

This proud statue stands in front of the castle gates, a reminder of the castle's rich history and a monument to a Scottish hero. You would probably recognize the name Robert the Bruce from the film "Braveheart," and he reigned King of Scots from 1306-1329 when he died. Robert the Bruce led Scotland against England in the Wars of Scottish Independence, and fought successfully during his reign to regain Scotland's place as an independent nation, and is thus celebrated as a national hero. 

The city of Stirling is beautiful too, featuring the old stone buildings I love and windy, cobbled streets with inclines that increase the closer you get to the castle (great exercise, especially for this prairie girl who is used to a city that's flat as can be!) 

 

Filled with quaint pubs and coffee shops, inviting restaurants and beautiful green space, Stirling is a great place to spend a day as a couple, a family or even on your own. I plan to come back soon to explore more of this lovely city, and hopefully grab a few more shots of the castle from afar.