Usually we drive up to Oban and on to Mull in one day, but this time we broke our journey at Stirling. We’d driven past it many times and seen the castle from a distance, so we thought it would be interesting to go and have a proper look at it this time.

We booked into the Premier Inn (and that nice Mr Henry is right - it was jolly good) and had lunch at a little cafe opposite called Toast, which we can recommend enthusiastically.

Insides full of yummy grub, we toddled up (and I mean UP) the hill to the castle, passing this jolly frog on the way.





Rob was much impressed when we got to the castle that they had a special audioguide for the visually impaired which detailed how many steps to take in what direction, where the steps and toilets were and so on. He said it was extremely well thought-out and increased his enjoyment enormously.

The Royal Palace. Commissioned by James V, who died before it was finished. Alas, there are still builders like that around today….



The Great Hall. My first though on seeing this was that somebody had given it an incredibly thorough going over with a pressure washer, but apparently it’s a form of limewsh called “King’s Gold”



Jackdaws on the roof of the Great Hall



Unicorn. Also on the roff, but hopefully rather less inclined to fly away.



Ceiling of the Great Hall



View from the castle out towards where the Battle of Stirling Bridge was fought.



More photies laterer.