Stirling - Day 10 (Part 1) July 6

Our final full day in lovely Scotland. After breakfast at Victoria Square, we decided to walk to Stirling Castle. It was a lovely morning and not too far, so it seemed like a good idea. Had we known we would be going half a mile up stairs, we probably would have driven 😉.
 
On our walk, we came across this old timey post box. Looks like it was created by Druids!
 

 

Arriving at the castle, you can tell from the get-go it's going to be pretty huge. This angle from the sky (stolen from the internet) gives you a sense of the size/scope and the various ages of the different parts of the castle.  
 
Stirling Castle – Carpenter Oak 
For the Scottish, visiting the Stirling Castle is a bit like going to the Washington Monument or Mount Rushmore for Americans. They take immense pride in the castle because of it's history and how it reflects their struggle for independence. Some of the key figures that have visited or been housed at the castle include William Shatner...strike that, William Wallace. Robert the Bruce, Marie Queen of Scotts, and Bonnie Prince Charles.
 
Among the buildings in the pic above include: 
  • King’s Old Building – built for James IV in 1496
  • Great Hall – added by James IV around 1503
  • Royal Palace – built for James V around 1540
  • Chapel Royal – commissioned by James VI in 1594
Here are some views from the outside.
 

 


This is the former King's garden.


 Inside Stirling Castle grounds.
 
 

 
 
In the King's Throne was a reenactor who reminded us every thirty seconds that even though the royals thought they were divine, they weren't. Holly asked "Why is there a unicorn on the tapestry?" The actor belched and replied "Why not?!"
 
 

Royal Bedrooms.
 

 

 

From the chambers we went to the King's Inner Hall where we received guests. On the ceiling are replicas of oak medallions with carved figures of European royalty and classical mythology. The real medallions come shortly.
 

 
 
In a separate part of the castle are the real medallions, which were saved from a fire centuries ago. These are just a few.
 
 

 


Exiting the building we were in, we soon realized that the weather was turning pear shaped.
 

 

Last stop was the yellow building, the Great Hall.
 

 At this point were were hungry. Time for some grub before the afternoon's adventures!
 



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