Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle is one of Scotland's grandest castles due to its imposing position and impressive architecture. The volcanic crag that dominates Stirling is surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs and originally would have been fortified. Stirling Castle was most important as a royal residence in the 16th century. Several Scottish Kings and Queens have been crowned there including Mary, Queen of Scots in 1542. The spectacular Palace, commissioned by James V in the 1530s, was designed in the fashions of the European Renaissance and the interiors are now presented as they were then.