Stirling: History

Pre-20th-Century History

Some of the most important events in Scotland's history - particularly its struggle for independence over England - took place around Stirling.

From Stone Age settlement to Roman garrison, Stirling has held an important position with its abruptly rising rocky crag (now occupied by Stirling Castle) and location on River Forth. The town became a royal burgh in the 12th century and work began on the current castle in the 14th century, though some sort of fortress had likely been on this spot for centuries. In the late-13th and early 14th centuries, some of Scotland's most decisive battles took place around Stirling. In 1297, William Wallace led the Scots to a victory over England at the Battle of Stirling Bridge and, 17 years later, Robert the Bruce did the same at the Battle of Bannockburn.

Much of Stirling Castle was completed in the 16th century when it was the residence of the Stuart family - the Great Hall and Gatehouse were built by James IV and the spectacular palace was added in the reign of James V (1540-42). In 1543, one-year-old Mary Stuart was crowned Queen of Scots at Stirling Chapel and, after Mary's forced abdication in 1567, her infant son James VI was crowned King of Scotland (later King of England) at Stirling's Church of the Holy Rude.

Stirling Castle came under siege during the Jacobite uprisings of the 18th century - in 1746, the fortress proved too much for Bonnie Prince Charlie's invading army after he had managed to take the town.

Modern History

The modern era in Stirling took off as Scotland's first powered aircraft flew in 1909. The plane was locally designed by brothers, Frank and Harold Barnwell.

The arrival of the railways improved land trade for Stirling but spelled the decline of the port facilities. The town continued to develop through the 20th century primarily as a market town for the surrounding agricultural area. Public building projects included the library and the university, which opened its doors in 1967. The 1993 addition of Innovation Park turned the university into a major science centre.

Recent History

Stirling was officially granted city status by Queen Elizabeth II in 2002. The city today prospers from tourism - the castle and Bannockburn in particular attract tens of thousands annually. The university is also highly regarded as an education and research institute. In the country that invented the game of golf, Stirling boasts a fine course in Kings Park. In 2006 Stirling celebrated the 700th anniversary of the coronation of Robert the Bruce, whose victory at Bannockburn changed the tide of Scottish history.

Back to top ^