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After arriving in Endinburgh, one of our first stops was Stirling Castle, arguably the most important site in Scottish history due to its dominant position at the first possible crossing of the Firth of Forth. A constant prize in Scotland's power struggles, the castle overlooks the site of William Wallace's 1297 victory over the English at Stirling Bridge, and Robert the Bruce's 1314 victory at Bannockburn. The castle hosted James I's return to Scotland after 18 years of imprisonment in the Tower of London, as well as his execution of his rival, the Duke of Albany in 1425. In 1452, James II murdered William Douglas here at a council after granting him safe conduct. And the castle was the site of the coronation of James V and Mary Queen of Scots, as well as James VI's baptism and youth prior to his accession as James I of England. Here Ornoth Liscomb, DargonZine's Editor, stands before the castle's forework, which has been significantly altered over the years. As originally built, the towers were three times their present height and topped with tall conical roofs, and flanked by two additional towers upon either side (out of frame). | |
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