Robert the Bruce and Stirling Castle.....700 years ago

"He who holds Stirling, holds Scotland."

Stirling Castle is a great symbol of Scottish Independence and a source of national pride.

Stirling Castle....with more than 700 years history.  Some of the greatest battles in Scotland's history happened outside the gates of this great fortress and Royal home.

The Castle dates from around the 12th century;  the buildings here now were built between 1490-1600.

Welcoming us to the castle is King Robert I.

Better known as "Robert the Bruce".  He was King of Scotland from 1306 until his death in 1329.

Robert the Bruce.  Didn't even know that he wanted to be King.  He was motivated to take his place on the throne after Sir William Wallace was executed in London for treason.  Robert the Bruce witness that grave day and became inspired to pick up the torch and fight for the freedom of Scotland's people.

A Scottish soldiers protecting the great fortress of Stirling Castle.

Tiny walkway at the entrance of the castle for pedestrians back in the day.

A view of the William Wallace Monument and the Abbey Craig it is built on. In the bottom left hand corner, Stirling Bridge.

This is the oldest part of the castle.

Fantastic defensive walls with views for miles.  It was said that whoever had Stirling Castle ruled the High and Lowlands of Scotland.

The Wall-Walk with views of Scottish landscape.....and approaching enemies.

Debbie looking over her kingdom.

A view of a cemetery just outside the walls of the Castle.

Sir William Wallace, in 1297, lead his army from near the monument, coming over the Abbey Craig, and fought at the Stirling Bridge.  The bridge collapse from the weight and many of the English soldiers drowned.  But also, it divided the English army in favour of Wallace's army. They defeated the English army even though Wallace's army was outnumbered by almost 2 to 1.  

 It is known as the Battle of Stirling Bridge.  

Stirling Bridge today.

The Battle of Bannockburn, an epic battle that took place here on the lowlands in 1314.  Lead by Robert the Bruce. 

Even with impossible odds, 3 English to one Scotsman, the Scots defeated the English. 

Known as one of the greatest battles in British History.

"Good King Robert" 

Random views of the castle.

Who's the Queen of the Castle now?

Random photo of chimneys and Scottish ivy.

 Below Stirling Castle, in the valley, is a much bigger formal garden.  It is the King's Knot.  The knot being a raised eight-sided feature dating from the 1600's.  Behind the Knot, is King's Park, a royal hunting forest where the King and his courtiers would hunt for deer and wild boar.

The Royal Palace.  King James and Mary of Guise lived here.  They are the parents of Mary Queen of Scots.  Who actually, we found out, was the third child born of these parents.  The first two sons died in childhood.  The King died shortly after the second son leaving Mary as heir to the Scottish throne.

King James's quarters although he didn't survive to actually live there.

Even the fire poker has a crown on it?

The dining room of Mary of Guise and her daughter Mary Queen of Scots.  Lived at Stirling Castle until she was five before being sent to France for protection.  Her Mother thought someone was trying to kill her.  She spent the next 13 years at the French Court.  She was betrothed to the Dauphin Francis.

This small walkway with the grand views may not seem very interesting.  However, back in the days of Kings and Queens, no one was allowed on the path except for the Queens and their children.

Debbie and I slowly strolled across taking it all in.

Random photo of the land around the castle.

The Great Hall at Stirling Castle.

Scotland's biggest medieval banqueting hall built in 1503 by King James IV, Mary Queen of Scots grandfather.

The room is decorated with many such Coats of Arms in the stained glass that lights up the vast room.

The restoration of this Great Hall took 35 years to complete.  On November 30th, 1999, Queen Elizabeth II formally declared the restored Great Hall opened.

A view from the seats of the King and Queen. Five enormous fireplaces were required and built in this hall.  The walls would have been covered with exquisite and huge tapestries.

Mary Queen of Scots hosted a 3 day royal baptism for her only child here in 1566 the future James VI.  The gallery at the end of the banquet hall was filled with minstrels and trumpeters.

Okay so we wanted to have the same view.

Quick....take the photo before we get caught!

The Chapel Royal at Stirling Castle.
It is built on the old chapel site where the infant Mary Queen of Scots was crowned in 1543.
This was the last building erected in the castle by Royalty.

I can't get enough of the Scottish ivy.  Many shades of green and grows in the most unusual places.

Robert the Bruce guarding Stirling and the rest of Scotland from high on the Stirling Castle esplanade.

What an incredible day.  

Stirling is one hour by bus from Edinburgh.  It is a perfect day trip.  But to do the William Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle, you need a day each.

Totally worth every minute and penny.

Robert the Bruce and the views of Stirling from the castle esplanade.

"Debbie....get out of the guard tower, we have a bus to catch!"