Day 34 - Stirling Castle

I noticed when planning our tour that many of the John Wesley tours organised in the USA include a trip to Stirling Castle. I am not aware that the Wesley's ever visited Stirling but it was a favoured home of Scottish kings and queens. Set high upon a volcanic crag, the castle provided safety and security as well as comfort and pleasure. It was here that Mary Queen of Scots was crowned queen as a baby. It was also the most besieged castle in Scotland -  the heart of the castle is the 1530's Palace, built by James V and the royal Chapel built in 7 months by James VI for the baptism of his son and heir Prince Henry.when the castle peaked as a royal residence. It still remains one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in the country and has recently had several rooms restored to their former glory.

Fireplace in the King's inner hall

Throughout the Castle there are numerous motifs of unicorns, including a set of seven tapestries depicting the story of the hunt of the unicorn to obtain its horn, which it was believed to have powers of purification. These are rich in Christian iconography - the unicorn represents Christ, with the maiden in the tapestries symbolises Mary the Mother of Jesus. In the climax of these tapestries the unicorn is killed but is reborn, representing the Passion and Resurrection. 

Stirling Methodist Church was built over 150 years ago and is today a lively, friendly fellowship. About 80 members plus friends and visitors make up the church. Check out their website: www.stirlingmethodistchurch.org.uk/ 

Stirling Methodist Church

Church of the Holy Rude

One of Scotland’s most important medieval churches, dating from 1456.  There is an inscription on the floor in the apse, which marks the place where King James VI King of Scots was crowned in 1567.

Street View of The Church of the Holy Rude

Argyll's Lodgings

Home of Archibald Campbell who acquired the house in 1660 who was  the 9th Earl of Argyll and a strong royalist and one of the most powerful men in Scotland during the 1600's. However in 1681 the "Test Act" was passed demanding recognition of the sovereign's supremity in spiritual and material matters. However Archibald a strong Protestant refused, and was sentenced to death. Whilst imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle he managed to escape to Holland. He returned in 1685 to lead a rebellion against James II after Charles II died who tried to restore Catholicism. The rebellion failed and his earlier death sentence was carried out without delay. 

Mar's Wark

Mar Wark

All that remains of the keeper of the castle residence is a ruined facade overlooking Broad Street, originally a stately house of "hewn stone and curious architecture". The house was built using stone from abandoned monastic buildings (1598c). By 1603 the house was only occupied occasionally, so in 1733 the town council who were concerned about the vagrancy in the town secured a 57-lease to transform it into a Work House, but  14 years later the house suffered from the Jacobite Rising and major damage was inflicted on the south end and was left to decline into ruin.

Mike who has spent the last week with us flew back to Bristol this afternoon and by the time today's blog is posted he will be back home in Chippenham. It has been really good to see him in this part of our trip. Stephen will be joining us in 10 days time, so we hope the good weather continues to hold, Edinburgh was the warmest place in the UK today - what a contrast from the last few weeks!