STIRLING CASTLE

Few buildings are as central to Scottish history as this one. The earliest written records date back to the ^12th century, when King Alexander ^I had a chapel built here. It would appear that he made it the seat of his power, as it was here that he died before his successor, David ^I, consecrated the town as a royal burgh. By the time Alexander III died in 1286, it was a major administrative and strategic center. When Edward ^I of England invaded in 1296, he found the fortress abandoned and placed a garrison there, only to be dislodged the following year by Andrew Moray and William Wallace. The following summer, the English victory at Falkirk forced the Independents to abandon the city, before retaking it in 1299. However, they lost it again in 1304, when the English deployed 17 siege engines. Their new monarch, Edward II, was unable to protect Stirling, which reverted to the authority of Robert, since crowned King of Scots, after the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. The town was English from 1236 to 1242, before falling into the hands of the future Robert II, guaranteeing its Scottish future. With the country finally pacified, the Stuarts built a veritable palace here, and increased the number of works carried out during the Renaissance. Mary Queen of Scots was crowned queen here before leaving for the French court. She made a habit of visiting the palace regularly, and had her newborn son, James, the future ruler of Scotland and England, baptized and raised there. Following the Union of the two crowns in 1603, Stirling's role declined sharply, and the castle became essentially a defensive position during the religious troubles. Today, a visit to the castle takes you back to this rich and eventful past.

Whatto see: The historic chapel, the impressive Great Hall and the royal palace. The Queen's and King's apartments are of great beauty. Don't miss the kitchens, the tapestry exhibition and the Regimental Museum of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. All brought to life by a costumed staff, as well as free guided tours every hour between 10am and 5pm.

Can you see the ghosts of the castle? It's said that ghosts live here... One is dressed as a Highlander, in a kilt, and can approach visitors to talk to them, only to disappear immediately. In other versions, visitors think of a guide, approach him and he vanishes into thin air. There's also talk of a green lady..