Stirling

From Free net encyclopedia

For other meanings, see Stirling (disambiguation).

Template:Infobox Scotland place with map Image:Broad St Stirling Scotland.jpg Image:Stirlingcastle.jpg Image:Stirling Castle.jpg Stirling (Sruighlea in Gaelic) is a city in the Stirling area of central Scotland.

Stirling is an ancient burgh, clustered around a large castle and mediæval old-town. It is a centre for government, retail, and light industry. Its population (as of the 2001 census) was 41,243.

A former capital of the Kingdom of Scotland, Stirling was known as a Royal Burgh until 2002 when, as part of Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee, Stirling was granted city status.

1 History
2 Areas of Stirling
3 Constituencies
4 References
5 External links

[edit]

History

Originally a Stone Age Settlement, Stirling has been strategically significant since at least the Roman occupation of part of Britain, due to its easily defensible hill (latterly the site of Stirling Castle) and its commanding position beside the River Forth. A ford, and later bridge, of the river at Stirling brought wealth and influence, as did its port. The town was chartered as a royal burgh by King David in the 12th century, with charters later reaffirmed by later monarchs (the town then referred to as Strivelyn). Major battles in Scotland's long conflict with England took place at the Stirling Bridge in 1297 and at the nearby village of Bannockburn in 1314.

The town motto, which was adopted in 1296, is:

The Britons stand by force of arms

The Scots are by this cross preserved from harms

The Castle & Bridge of Stirling town

Are in the compass of this seal set down.

Standing near the castle, the Church of the Holy Rude (Holy Cross) is one of the town's most historically important buildings. The Church of the Holy Rude, which was built in the late 1400s, is the only church in the UK apart from Westminster Abbey, to have held a coronation. On the 29 July 1567 the infant son of Mary Queen of Scots was crowned James VI of Scotland here. Gun shot marks from Cromwell's troops during the civil war are clearly visible on the tower and apse.

The fortifications continued to play a strategic military role during the 18th century Jacobite Risings. In 1715, the Earl of Mar failed to take control of the castle. In January 1746, the army of Bonnie Prince Charlie seized control of the town but failed to take the Castle. On their consequent retreat northwards, they blew up the church of St. Ninians where they had been storing munitions; only the tower survived and can be seen to this day.

Economically, the River Forth port facilities at Riverside supported trade, including tea trade with India and timber trade with the Baltic. The coming of the railways started the decline of the river trade, not least because a railway bridge downstream made access for shipping more awkward. By the mid 20th century the port had ceased to operate.

Famous residents include Mr Egg formerly known as James McDonald (born 1959), singer/songwriter, Mary, Queen of Scots, King James VI of Scotland, Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman (former British Prime Minister), documentary film pioneer John Grierson, film music composer Muir Mathieson, animation pioneer Norman McLaren, and TV presenter Kirsty Young.

The Barnwell brothers, Frank and Harold, worked at Grampian Motors in Causewayhead, and in 1909 they designed and flew the first powered flight in Scotland. Frank Barnwell went on to design aircraft including the Bristol Blenheim. A small monument to the brothers' pioneering achievement has been erected at Causewayhead roundabout.

The University of Stirling opened in a 1967 greenfield site outside the town. It has grown into a major research centre, attracting students from nearly 80 countries.

Local sporting teams include the football team Stirling Albion F.C., and the rugby union team Stirling County. Footballers Billy Bremner and Duncan Ferguson were born in Stirling, as was rugby internationals Kenny Logan and Allister Hogg, jockey Willie Carson, and cricketer Dougie Brown.

Stirling is also famous for it's many hauntings, like the Pink Lady of the Castle, seen by many a Soldier and the Settle Inn near the Castle which is one of the most haunted places in Scotland

Stirling is twinned with Dunedin, Florida in the United States and with Villeneuve d'Ascq in northern France.

[edit]