As a history major, my favorite parts of travel involve going to museums, historical sites and historical areas of cities. I can't help myself. Another element of this is figuring out parts of the history before I go so that I can get excited about all of these things.
Additionally, since I will be living here, I want to have some knowledge before I go so that it can feel more familiar to me. So, here is my brief history research that I have done on my new second home.
So if you like history as much as I do, I hope you enjoy this post.
400s - 800s: Dark Ages
Stirling is centered around a 250 foot high Volcanic plug which was probably first inhabited by the British Picts - a tribe that helped fortify the existence of Scotland.
"Known as 'Picti' by the Romans, meaning 'Painted Ones' in Latin, these northern tribes constituted the largest kingdom in Dark Age Scotland. They repelled the conquests of both Romans and Angles, creating a true north-south divide on the British Isles, only to disappear from history by the end of the first millennium - swallowed whole by the history of another group, the Gaels. Together they created the Kingdom of Alba.
The Picts took part in one of the most decisive battles in Scottish history - the Battle of Dun Nechtain (Dunnichen). If the Picts had lost, Scotland might never have existed. For the Angles of Northumbria it was simply a disaster - ending their domination of Scotland."
The Battle of Dun Nechtain is one of the only events from the Dark Ages that has significant documentation. We even know that it started at 3pm. After this battle there were a couple more battles between the Picts and the Angles leading to many deaths on both side, but eventually the Kingdom of Northumbria became the Kingdom of Alba and with that the tribe of Picts basically disappeared. The disappearance is accredited to the Gaelic takeover that quickly affected the culture after a Gaelic King replaced Ade the Pictish king.
This is of course a very brief view of the Dark Ages, and is in no way the full story as the movement of kingdoms and the battles all have much more to them.
How exciting is this history?! We love battles and Kings don't we. It is like everyone's favorite HBO and CW historical dramas but real life!
800s - 1400s: The Viking Age through the Middle Ages
In 1130 the volcanic hill was deemed a Royal Burgh and later - 1226- Alexander II of Scotland made the Castle a royal residence.
There were two battles that occurred near Stirling in this time, The Stirling Bridge Battle of 1297 (King Wallace beats Edward I) and the Battle of Banncockburn of 1314. Both of these battles were pivotal in Scotland keeping it's independence, especially the latter where they defeated Edward II of England.
After these two battles things get a lot less murder-y and until the mid-16th century Stirling was almost as capitol-esque as Edinburgh. The Castle was a hub for Stuart kings and because of their placement on the river, trade and travel was an important part of the scene of Stirling.
1600s: Renaissance Era:
This all changes in 1603 when the union of Britain and Scotland is made official. Stirling at this point ceases to be as important to trade and national leaders due to London's already large systems and connections.
19th Century forward:
Zooming through history, Stirling becomes once more connected when the railways are rapidly built and becomes a fiercely agricultural area. During this period of the 19th century new town spreads to lower and flatter areas in the South, conducive to farming.
In Modern Scotland, Stirling is home to a University and connected to the two major cities of Scotland via the railways making them a Tourist spot. However, you can still see the layers of the time periods in the still standing buildings and roadways, ally's and structure of the hill side architecture. This area in Stirling is appropriately called "Old Town".
Historic Sites near Stirling:
The National Wallace Monument - Where King Wallace of Scotland watched the English Army gather before battle.
The Old Stirling Bridge - Refer back to the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297
The Historic Town Jail - Popularly reviewed on TripAdvisor, this is exactly what it says documented in the form of a museum.
And of course...Stirling Castle!
Stirling Castle:
Of course I will be visiting Stirling castle myself and learning ten times more once I am there, but for now this is what I have read.
Stirling Castle was the key to ruling Scotland during most of it's life. If you could win the castle you would win Scotland. In fact it has been attacked and besieged 16 times, of course most prominently in the 13th and 14th centuries in it's bitterness with England. It's most famous take over is that of Edward I who was quickly defeated by William Wallace and his army at Stirling Bridge.
Stirling University:
Finally, let's look at the University where I will be learning all about these things more in depth!
Stirling University was founded in 1967 making it's history brief, but it's first Chancellor was all about "education with a purpose" and was responsible for widening access to higher education in the surrounding communities.
Campus is situated on the historic Airthey Estate from the 12th century which has it's own Castle on the grounds. This castle was used during WWII as a Maternity Hospital and was until 1969 when the university obtained it.
These are my sources that I used:
I have refrained from looking any further into these histories within the city of Stirling Scotland, and I look forward to learning even more when I am there! Until then I will just have to be satisfied with my little Friday afternoon researching.