Stirling Castle 01

Stirling Castle is the grandest of Scotland's castles and is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the country. The castle stands 250 feet above the plain of an extinct volcano. Stirling became the strategic military key to the kingdom during the 13th and 14th century Wars of Independence and was the favourite royal residence of many of the Stuart Monarchs. Stirling Castle played an important role in the life of Mary Queen of Scots. She spent her childhood in the castle and Mary's coronation took place in the Chapel Royal in 1543.