Stirling Castle |
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The mighty royal castle of Stirling towers above some of the most important battlefields in Scotland's history, including William Wallace's victory over the English at Stirling Bridge in 1297 and Robert the Bruce's defeat of the same foe at Bannockburn in 1314.
Time and time again Stirling Castle was besieged, relieved and then besieged once again during the Scottish struggle against domination by the English.
Stirling has been described as a "huge brooch, clasping Highlands and Lowlands together". Many great events from Scotland's past are associated with Stirling Castle. Among the best remembered is the murder of Earl of Douglas by James II and the throwing of the corpse from a window.
Stirling Castle is closely bound with the life of ill-fated Mary Queen of Scots. She spent her childhood in the castle. Mary's coronation took place in the Chapel Royal in 1543 and she narrowly escaped death by fire in 1561. It was at Stirling that Mary's son, the future James VI, was baptised.
Architecturally, it offers an array of riches: the vast Great Hall dating from the end of the Middle Ages, the early Renaissance splendours of the Royal Palace with its carved heads and the Chapel Royal built for the baptism of Prince Henry in 1594.
The reconstructed medieval kitchen, interpretative displays and a restaurant all add to the enjoyment of visiting this, the grandest of all Scottish castles.
The Garden
Stirling Castle's vast formal gardens date from the 16th century, when they became a symbol of Scotland's cultural ascendancy. The gardens continued to attract lavish attention for many years. Dating from the 1620s is the King's Knot, today a ghostly relief map of a formal garden beyond the castle walls. Visitors get their best view of it from the Queen Anne garden, which with its roses and sheltering tree softens the stone edges of this majestic fortress, which has played such and integral role in the history of Scotland.This property is managed by Historic Scotland.
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Opening Times
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(2008 times)
21st March to 30th September:Daily 9:30am to 5.30pm 1st October to 31st March 2009 Daily 9.30am - 4.30pm. Castle closes 45 minutes before closing.Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Please call to check New Year opening. |
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Admission Charges
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(2008 prices)
The Stirling Castle admission ticket also gives access to Argyll's Lodging.Adult £8.50; Child (under 16yrs) £4.25; Concession £6.50. |
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Directions
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| Located at the head of Stirling's historic old town off the M9. |
| Show map of Stirling Castle... |
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Stirling Castle Postcode for SatNav: FK8 1EJ |
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Nearby Attractions
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Argyll's Lodging
(< 1 Mile)*
Argyll's Lodging is a superb mansion built around an earlier core in about 1630 and further extended by the Earl of Argyll in the 1670s. |
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Smith Art Gallery & Museum
(< 1 Mile)*
Nestling beneath Stirling Castle, in the King's Park, the ancient hunting grounds of the Stuart monarchs, and now a suburb of opulent Victorian mansions, is the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum. |
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National Wallace Monument
(1 Mile)*
Renew your acquaintance with Scotland's national hero and Hollywood legend, Sir William Wallace at the spectacular 220 foot high National Wallace Monument, completed in 1869. |
| more nearby attractions... |
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Nearby Hotels
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Barcelo Stirling Highland Hotel (2 Night Offer and 1 Dinner)
(< 1 Mile)*
This magnificent listed building was a former school and has been extensively renovated into a fine 4 star hotel. The Stirling Highland comprises 96 bedrooms, an award winning restaurant and a top class health and leisure club. |
Barcelo Stirling Highland Hotel
(< 1 Mile)*
This magnificent listed building was a former school and has been extensively renovated into a fine 4 star hotel. The Barcelo Stirling Highland comprises 96 bedrooms, an excellent restaurant and a top class health and leisure club. |
Golden Lion Hotel
(< 1 Mile)*
Located in the heart of the city next to the best shops, restaurants and bars, this hotel built in 1786 is one of the main focal points of historic Stirling. |
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Nearby Self Catering
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