Tag: Robert the Bruce


Scotland’s Stirling Attractions

Stirling Castle by day

Stirling Castle. Courtesy VisitScotland / Kenny Lam, all rights reserved.

Guest post by Colin McAlpin

The man who holds Stirling holds Scotland. With this in mind, the Scots – under their legendary King Robert Bruce, he of the spider that inspired him never to give up – took on the English under King Edward II at the historic Battle of Bannockburn. Over two bloody days 700 years ago, Bruce routed them in what became known as the First War of Independence to establish Scotland as a nation.

LOOKING OUT ACROSS THE TOWN OF STIRLING AND OVER TO THE WALLACE MONUMENT AND OCHIL HILLS FROM THE BATTLEMENTS OF THE CASTLE, WITH THE STATUE OF ROBERT THE BRUCE IN THE FOREGROUND, STIRLING. PIC: P.TOMKINS/VisitScotland

A statue of Robert the Bruce stands atop Stirling Castles battlements, high above Stirling’s Old Town. Courtesy VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins,
all rights reserved.

Holding the charming city of Stirling – the site of the battle, 40 miles northwest of Edinburgh – became important to the Scots. Although created a city only in 2002 as part of Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee, Stirling has for centuries played an important role in Scotland’s often turbulent history, and many of its historic sites and monuments – such as the imposing Stirling Castle and the national monument to William ‘Braveheart’ Wallace – bear witness. (more…)