Stirling has played an important role in the history of Scotland, especially during important moments. In and around Stirling has an incredible selection of excellent visitor attractions and a mass of of monuments and places to photograph. In article that follows I describe three places to visit in Stirling; Stirling Old Town Jail, Stirling Castle and Argyll’s Lodging:
Stirling Castle
Situated 250 feet above the city of Stirling, and surrounded on 3 sides by shear cliffs is Stirling Castle. Stirling Castle is incredibly important in the history of Scotland, there have been a number of coronations within the castle, including that of Mary Queen of Scots in 1543. Stirling Castle was also witness to an horrific murder in 1452. The 8th Earl of Douglas was victim to James II in 1452. Stirling Castle is the home of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, although they are, unfortunately no longer garrisoned there. However, the regimental museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, is located within the castle.
Stirling Old Town Jail
The Stirling Old Town Jail of today was not the first jail in Stirling, for 400 years, Stirling’s prisoners were secured in the Old Tollbooth Jail. This jail was seriously overcrowded, and smelled dreadful, with twenty four prisoners to each cell, and zero sanitary facilities. The Tollbooth jail was condemned, due to the awful living conditions there, and in 1847 the new jail opened. Although the jail was classed as a custodial prison, from 1888 to 1935, it was also the only military jail in Scotland. Today the Stirling Old Town Jail is a tourist attraction, and was only restored in the 1990’s. As well as guided tours, there is a glass paneled elevator that rises to a viewing platform at the top of the jail. From commanding viewpoint one can gaze out across the Forth Valley, and glance across at the Highland mountains.
Argyll’s Lodging
Argyll’s Lodging is on Castle Wynd, situated in the center of Stirling and is Scotland’s finest surviving renaissance house. The house was built circa 1630, by Sir William Alexander, founder of Nova Scotia and Viscount Canada. Sir William Alexander who was appointed Secretary of State for Scotland, and then became the 1st Earl of Stirling. Argyll’s Lodging became the property of the Argyll family on his death and was added to by the ninth Earl in 1666. The rooms which include the dining room, laigh hall, bed chamber and drawing room, have all been expertly furnished and restored, as they would have been when the 9th Earl lived there, around 1680.
If you are thinking about having a short break in Stirling you will discover a large selection of online Stirling hotels and guest houses and you will find a broad range at http://stirling.hotelreservationhelper.com/
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