For a long time it was called: "The key to Scotland". Whoever controlled Stirling Castle could also control Scotland. It towers above 2 of the most important battlefields in Scottish history: Stirling Bridge - where William Wallace beat the English in 1297 and Bannockburn - where Robert Bruce defeated the forces of Edward III in 1314. Bruce destroyed the castle after his victory (knowing that the English would come back and might occupy it again and use it against the cause of Scottish Independence). (The Edinburgh Castle was destroyed by the same people, same time, for the same reason). It was rebuilt in the Renaissance times and style and was the favourite royal residence of the Stuarts. Mary Queen of Scots grew up here and had her coronation here as well

Top right: Robert Bruce's statue in front of Stirling Castle. King of Scots (1306-29) as Robert I, and hero of the Scottish War of Independence.

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