Stirling City

The history of Stirling has a wealth of legends and events from William Wallace who fought and won the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 against an occupying English army, to the Battle of Bannockburn where Robert the Bruce's defeat of another English army in
June 1314 secured Scottish independence.

Stirling heritage dates back 800 years to the twelfth century, when the town first received the burgh title. It was granted a Royal Charter, becoming one of the most important towns of medieval Scotland.

Stirling's importance developed from the fact that it controlled the lowest crossing point of the River Forth. The land to the west of the river was bog and marshland making it impassable for armies to cross. The land was eventually drained in later centuries.

The town was occupied in 1745 by Bonnie Prince Charlie's army. John Knox regularly preached in the Church of the Holy Rude next to Stirling Castle.

Building on its historic foundations to create an exciting mix of the old and new, Stirling has a thriving centre. Big enough to offer the full 'city experience' of shopping, café culture and nightlife, Stirling is still compact enough to retain a warm community feel, making it a home from home that's as easy to get around. The cosmopolitan city centres of Glasgow and Edinburgh can be visited within 1 hour by car or train from Stirling.