What to see in Stirling, former royal residence and heroes of Scotland

One of the essential visits If you are planning a tourist trip to Scotlandit's Stirling, a small medieval city that had a prominent place in the history of scotland and is located on the side of a hill crowned by a large castle.

Stirling You find it in the central area of ​​the Lowlands Scottish Lowlands, about 70 kilometers west of Edinburgh, from where you arrive in an hour.

When trips to Stirling You will see that it has a location in a strategic place, a hill next to the river forth, which has conditioned its history.

Curiosities of the history of Stirling

Although its origins date back to the Stone age, Stirling reached prominence in Scotland when in the year 1126 became Royal residence.

Subsequently, the most relevant moment in the Stirling history It was the coronation of King James VI of Scotland and, later, his daughter Maria stuart.

Finally, who would later be James VI of Scotland and I of England, was also baptized in Stirling. But with the reign of the latter, Stirling ceased to be a royal residence.

La Stirling history It is also linked to numerous battles, since on successive occasions the plains surrounding the castle were a place chosen to settle conflicts between England and Scotland.

In fact, in and around Stirling there are several memorials of these battles. As the Wallace Monument, on a hill next to the river forth, wave Robert Bruce Statue, on the esplanade at the entrance to the castle.

How to visit and what to see in Stirling

When visit Stirling, it is advisable to park your car in the small medieval town, and after taking a walk through the central area, head towards the castle, going up one of the two streets that take you to the top of the hill, and then down the other. .

On this tour, if you go up the street on the left you will be able to visit some of the most notable points of this medieval town, such as the old jail medieval and, above all, the Holy Rude Church.

Holy Rude Church

This medieval church He had his leading role in the history of Scotland when he was crowned in 1567. James VI as king when he was still a child.

In fact, it is the only church in the United Kingdom, Together with Westmister Abbey London, where a king has been crowned.

You will find it almost at the foot of the Stirling Castle, and from the very walls of the castle you can have a splendid panoramic view of Holy Rude church and its cemetery.

The original Holy Rude Church, Stirling It was built in 1129, but almost two centuries later it was destroyed by fire.

The building that you can now visit was completed rebuilt in 1414.

When you visit Holy Rude (its meaning is Santa Cruz) On Stirling, you will see that it is a relatively small church,

But you will also notice that its wide stone walls, relatively dark interior, Scottish-style columns and Gothic arches will allow you to feel the medieval atmosphere.

I tell you that you should especially pay attention to his oak roof truss since it is one of the few wooden roofs originating from the Middle Ages that still remain in Scotland.

Maria stuart, Queen of Scots, prayed in the Holy Rude Church, Stirling, and the preacher john knox, leader of the Protestant Reformation in Scotland and founder of the Presbyterian church, preached there in 1567-

The Holy Rude Church Visiting Hours They are, in spring and summer, every day from 11 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon.

Stirling Castle

La castle visit It will be the most outstanding stage of your trip to Stirling.

The large Stirling Castle It dates back to the year 1124, although the current building dates back to the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries.

Due to its configuration and location, it will remind you a lot of the Edinburgh castle, although it does not have its dimensions or historical value, although, as I have already mentioned, I remind you that it was a royal residence.

Due to its tourist importance, here you have a specific article dedicated to the visit of Stirling Castle.

Wallace Monument

After visiting this great fortress that stands on a hill surrounded by historic battlefields, you can visit the Wallac Monumente.

Is victorian style tower, 37 meters high, which was built in 1860 to commemorate the feat of the Scottish hero William Wallace, when in 1297 on these battlefields he defeated the English army in defense of Scottish independence.

The construction in its day of Wallace Monument It was surrounded by controversy, but today it is a national monument that allows us to remember this Scottish independence hero, whose exploits were recreated in the movie Braveheart.

El Wallace Monument It is located near the town of Stirling, on the side of a hill, and you can see it perfectly from the Stirling Castle.

To visit this monument, you must purchase tickets at the office next to the car park, and a minibus will take you to the foot of the tower.

El Wallace Monument It has three floors that are completed with the terrace located under the “crown”, which is a splendid viewpoint of the old battlefields and the castle.

On the first floor you can see the story of william wallace, as well as that of the famous Battle of Stirling Bridge, where he defeated the English.

On the second level of the tower you have the Hall of Heroes, with busts of Wallace and other significant figures in Scottish history, such as the Scottish king  Robert the Bruce and the romantic poet Walter Scott.

On the top floor you can learn the history of the construction of the Memorial to Wallace, at the end of the 19th century.

Finally, from the viewpoint you will have beautiful panoramic views of the landscapes that surround the River Forth and the nearby medieval town of Stirling.

Here you can check the Information for visiting the Wallace Monument, with schedules and ticket prices.

Map: where it is and how to get to Stirling

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