"If at first you don't succeed try, try and try again." ~ Robert the Bruce

It's an odd feeling being here - for me, it's like coming back to the homeland. Whether that is due to my ancestry or the fact that this particular part of the world enriches my knowledge of world history, I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure I could live here for a time and feel quite at home.
Today we ventured north to Stirling, home of Stirling Castle, one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland, both historically and architecturally. Just a wee bit of history, the castle is strategically placed on Castle Hill surrounded on 3 sides by very steep cliffs, giving it a very important strategic position. Stirling Castle has been besieged 16 times. Most of the main buildings date from the 15th and 16th centuries so it was an afternoon spent wandering through this palace/castle and listening to the history complete with the lilt of a fine Scottish brogue from our tour guide named Charlie.

As we climbed the hill from the train station, the Stirling Baptist Church stood front and centre.

 After visiting the info centre and purchasing tickets for Stirling Castle, we walked uphill to Holy Rude Church ('Rude' or 'Rood' is the medieval term for the cross of the crucifixion). The first church on this site was founded by King David I in 1129. Mary Queen of Scots worshipped in this church and John Knox preached here. The coronation of James VI was in 1567 making this the only church in Britain, apart from Westminster Abbey, where a coronation has taken place. This is the King James who commissioned the King James Bible.

Could we please put some stone on our church and have sweet wildflowers growing from them? 

 This statue has several enclosed angels representing the heroes of the Scottish Presbyterian Reformation placed in the cemetery of Holy Rude Church. Considered one of these heroes, Margaret Wilson is remembered for refusing to renounce her protestant faith and so was executed by drowning at the very young age of 18.

The front of the church, the stained glass was very detailed and beautiful.

"Charlie" ~ highly recommend him as a tour guide if you ever get to Stirling Castle.

 King Robert the Bruce memorial located just outside the castle. The site of Bannockburn can be seen from here, where Robert defeated the English army. 

 View from atop the the castle. The vistas were vast and beautiful.

 The Great Hall where in 1594, James VI danced and feasted with the nobility in celebration of the baptism of his son, Prince Henry. 

 From a distance, the William Wallace monument. He was one of the main leaders of the Scottish independent movement in the late 1200's. One of his greatest victories was against the English in 1297. If you have seen 'Braveheart' starring Mel Gibson it would give you an overview of this history. Stirling sits on the edge of the highlands.

 The Scottish Highlands in the distance.

The Royal Residence with lovely gardens in the front and the Great Hall in the background. Originally all the buildings within the castle were the same colour as the Great Hall which would make this quite an impressive view. 

 See the indentation above the door? That is where a cannonball would have hit the castle, probably from Cromwell's army.  There are so many dents and holes in the structure from the many times it was attacked.

 The unicorn is a celtic symbol of purity and power and features in Scottish imagery as the lion does is England.

 These massive iron-studded oak doors are common throughout the castle.

 Standing atop the old stone bridge over the River Forth, near the site of the Battle of Stirling Bridge, then a wooden structure. This strategic site had to be crossed to defeat William Wallace whose memorial can be seen in the background.

 The four arch old stone bridge.

 Walking down from Stirling Castle, we came across this carving of John Damian de Falcuis. This man was a physician to James IV and in 1507 claimed he would fly to France (see the wings?). He made these and launched himself from the castle walls. His only injury was that he broke his thigh - see the cast? What was he thinking? Or was he?

 Trying to locate the old stone bridge, this fellow decided to walk along with us and help us find our way. Had a great conversation with Andrew but I think he only understood every few words. It was fun listening to him talk though!

I had to capture a picture of the rooftops - if you put your imagination to work you can almost see Bert and his fellow chimney sweeps up there dancing from roof to roof.

 A special treat for our train trip back to Glasgow.