Stirling

The City of Stirling

Stirling is an ancient town, clustered around a large castle and medieval old-town. It is a centre for government, retail, and light industry. Its population (as of the 2001 census) was 78,833. A former capital 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.

Stirling has been strategically significant since at least the Roman occupation 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 the city wealth and influence, as did its port. 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.

Stirling Castle (Southwest aspect)

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.

Famous residents include Mary, Queen of Scots, King James VI of Scotland, Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman (former British Prime Minister).

Other places named Stirling

• Stirling, a village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
• Village of Stirling, Warner County, Alberta, Canada.
• Stirling-Rawdon Township, Ontario, Canada.
• Stirling, a village in Morris County New Jersey, USA.
• City of Stirling, Western Australia.
• Stirling, a city and region in South Australia.

See also

• Stirling engine, a type of external combustion engine.
• Robert Stirling, inventor of the Stirling engine
• Shorts Stirling bomber, a World War II British bomber aircraft.
• The Science Fiction author S.M. Stirling.
• Stirling is often confused with Sterling.

Referenced By