The city of Stirling has played an important role in the history of Scotland, especially during crucial events. In and around Stirling has an incredible selection of spectacular visitor attractions and a multitude of photographic opportunities. In the article below I provide information about three tourist attractions in Stirling; Argyll’s Lodging, Stirling Castle and Stirling Old Town Jail:

Stirling Castle

Situated 250 feet above the city of Stirling, and surrounded on three sides by shear cliffs is Stirling Castle. The castle is very important in Scotland’s history, there have been a number of coronations within the castle, including Mary Queen of Scots coronation in 1543. The castle was also witness to a horrifying 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, sadly no longer garrisoned at the castle. However, the regimental museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, can be found within the castle.

Stirling Old Town Jail

The Stirling Old Town Jail we see today is not the original jail, for four hundred years, Stirling’s prisoners were committed in the Old Tollbooth Jail. This jail was shockingly overcrowded, and smelled disgusting, with twenty four prisoners to a cell, and no sanitation. The Tollbooth jail was condemned, because of the dreadful living conditions there, and in 1847 the current jail opened. Although the jail was classed as a custodial prison, from 1888 to 1935, it was also the only military prison in Scotland. Today the Stirling Old Town Jail is a visitor attraction, and was only restored in the 1990’s. As well as guided tours, there is a glass paneled elevator that transports one to a viewing deck at the very top of the jail. From commanding viewpoint you is able to gaze out across the Forth Valley, and glance across at the Highland mountains.

Argyll’s Lodging

Argyll’s Lodging is found on Castle Wynd, situated in the center of Stirling and is Scotland’s best existing renaissance mansion. The mansion was built circa 1630, by Sir William Alexander, founder of Nova Scotia and Viscount Canada. Sir William Alexander who became Secretary of State for Scotland, and was then appointed the first Earl of Stirling. Argyll’s Lodging passed to the Argyll family on his death and was added to by the 9th Earl in 1666. The rooms which include the dining room, bed chamber, drawing room and laigh hall, have all been sympathetically furnished and restored, as they would have been when the 9th Earl lived there, circa 1680.

If you are thinking about a city break in Stirling you will find a large amount of online Stirling hotels and accommodation
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