We had not planned to stay in Stirling, but with Storm Amy moving across the UK, we heeded the advice of the authorities and did not venture north. Unfortunately this meant missing out on our planned trip up into the Highlands and Loch Ness, but it did mean we got to spend more time exploring the area between Glasgow and Edinburgh – including Stirling.

Our hotel was just a few minutes walk from the centre of Stirling so we had the opportunity to explore on foot between showers. It was hard to believe that the city is over 50,000 people – the area we walked around had a lovely village feel, with loads of historical buildings and monuments. We also found a great little souvenir shop called Tinsel and Tartan.

We walked past the Church of Holy Rude which dated back to the early 15th century, and is where King James VI was crowned as an infant.

We discovered that Stirling has two Wallace monuments – the 67 metre tall National Wallace Monument, and this smaller monument (photo 5) which was built on the top of the Athenaeum in Spittal Street in 1859.

We also saw the Old Town Jail (established in 1847), the Mar’s Wark townhouse ruins (built around 1572), the old grammar school (built in 1787), and we stayed in the old high school (built in 1854).

There were ‘Stirling 900’ flags around the streets commemorating 900 years since King David I made the city a Royal Burgh. However evidence indicates that these ancient streets go back much further – the 4,000 year old remains of a farmer have been found here. Truly timeless!