Weekend City Breaks In Stirling And A Selection Of Captivating Tourist Attractions You Must See

The city of Stirling has appeared throughout the history of Scotland, especially during crucial events. In and around Stirling has a fantastic selection of spectacular tourist attractions and a huge amount of photographic opportunities. In article that follows I provide information about three places to visit in Stirling; Stirling Old Town Jail, Stirling Castle and Argyll’s Lodging:

Stirling Castle

Situated two hundred and fifty feet above the city of Stirling, and surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs is Stirling Castle. Stirling Castle is very important in Scotland’s history, there have been several coronations at the castle, including Mary Queen of Scots coronation in 1543. Stirling Castle was also witness to a shocking murder in 1452. The 8th Earl of Douglas was victim to James II in 1452. Stirling Castle is home to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, even though they are, unfortunately no longer stationed there. However, the regimental museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, can be found in the castle.

Stirling Old Town Jail

The Stirling Old Town Jail we see today was not the first jail in Stirling, for four hundred years, Stirling’s prisoners were incarcerated in the Old Tollbooth Jail. This jail was terribly overcrowded, and smelt vile, with twenty four prisoners in each cell, and no sanitation. The Tollbooth jail was condemned, because of the inhuman living conditions there, and in 1847 the current jail was opened. Although the jail was classed as a custodial prison, from 1888 to 1935, it was also the only military jail in Scotland. Today the Stirling Old Town Jail is a tourist attraction, and was only renovated in the 1990′s. As well as guided tours, there is a glass paneled elevator that leads to a viewing deck at the very top of the jail. From here you is able to gaze out across the Forth Valley, and gaze upon the Highland mountains.

Argyll’s Lodging

Argyll’s Lodging is on Castle Wynd, near the middle of Stirling and is Scotland’s finest existing renaissance mansion. The house was built around 1630, by Sir William Alexander, founder of Nova Scotia and Viscount Canada. Sir William Alexander who became Secretary of State for Scotland, and then became the first Earl of Stirling. Argyll’s Lodging became the property of the Argyll family on his death and was further extended by the ninth Earl in 1666. The rooms which include the dining room, bed chamber, drawing room and laigh hall, have all been superbly furnished and restored, as they would have looked when the 9th Earl lived there, around 1680.

If you are in the process of planning a weekend break in Stirling you will discover a large amount of online Stirling hotels and guest houses and you will find a huge range at http://stirling.hotelreservationhelper.com/

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