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Key Information

Stirling Castle

Type Castle and Fortress
Construction Before 1110 CE
Builder Unknown
Built From Stone

Learning Point

  • Stirling Castle is a massive fortress built atop an extinct volcano, serving as the strategic “Gateway to the Highlands“. Because it controlled the only easy crossing of the River Forth, it was famously said that “he who holds Stirling, holds Scotland“. Once a grand royal residence, it was the childhood home of Mary, Queen of Scots, and features the largest Great Hall in Scotland. Today, it stands as a perfect blend of brutal military defense and elegant Renaissance architecture, offering a glimpse into Scotland’s violent and royal past.

Project

  • Draw an picture of Stirling Castle as it would have been in the past.
  • Overview
  • Plan
Stirling Castle
By Andrew Shiva / Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
Plan of Stirling Castle
By J.S Richardson; Margaret E. Root (Margaret E.B. Simpson) – Self-scanned, Public Domain, Link

Location

Location Stirling, Scotland

Fun Facts

  • Stirling Castle sits on top of a giant, extinct volcano that is hundreds of millions of years old.
  • The castle was once attacked by the “Warwolf,” which was the largest catapult ever built.
  • The palace ceiling was decorated with the “Stirling Heads,” which are 40 large, funny-looking wooden carvings of kings and queens.
  • One of the world’s oldest footballs, dating back over 400 years, was found hidden behind the walls of the castle.
  • King James IV actually kept a pet lion in the castle gardens to show off his power.

Past Lessons

208 May 13, 2026 (North America)
No Past Lessons

Upcoming Lessons

No Upcoming Lessons