Stirling

Stirling's name appears as Strivelin(g) in early sources, later becoming Stirveling and finally Stirling. Its meaning, and even its language of origin, are a matter of debate. In 1930, J. B. Johnston's Place-Names of Scotland suggested a Brittonic origin, and the name was thought likely to be Brittonic by most commentators thereafter.{{cite web |last=James |first=Alan |date=2017 |title=The Brittonic Language in the Old North: A Guide to the Place-Name Evidence |url=http://spns.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Alan_James_Brittonic_Language_in_the_Old_North_BLITON_Volume_II_Dictionary.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813011121/http://spns.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Alan_James_Brittonic_Language_in_the_Old_North_BLITON_Volume_II_Dictionary.pdf |archive-date=13 August 2017 |publisher=The Scottish Place-Name Society |page=216}}{{Rp|page=7}} However, in a comprehensive survey of the evidence in 2017, Thomas Owen Clancy showed that a Brittonic etymology is unlikely, and derived the name from Gaelic srib-linn, meaning "pool in the river".{{cite journal|last=Clancy|first=Thomas Owen|date=2017|title=The Etymologies of Pluscarden and Stirling|journal=The Journal of Scottish Name Studies|publisher=Clann Tuirc|volume=11|url=https://clog.glasgow.ac.uk/ojs/index.php/JSNS/article/view/143/171|pages=1–20}}{{refn|group="note"|This would theoretically have developed into Sribhlinn in modern Gaelic. Sruighlea is the usual Gaelic name for the city, but Sribhlinn does appear in an isolated 19th century source.}}

A geographical survey of Britain in the eighth-century Ecclesiastical History of the English People by Bede also mentions a place called urbs Giudi ("the town of Giudi"). Although its location is not certain, a 2023 study found that "Stirling is the location of urbs Giudi favoured by most scholars", and itself supported this identification.{{Cite journal |last=Aitchison |first=Nick |date=2023-09-11 |title=Urbs Giudi: text, translation and topography |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/anglo-saxon-england/article/abs/urbs-giudi-text-translation-and-topography/A8E03F38034E79A50661E6C07D5E04B1 |journal=Anglo-Saxon England |volume=50 |language=en |pages=101–141 |doi=10.1017/S0263675123000078 |s2cid=261771380 |issn=0263-6751}}{{Rp|page=3}} This name is thought etymologically to be Celtic.A. Breeze, "Some Celtic Place-names of Scotland: Ptolemy's Verubium Promontorium, Bede's Urbs Giudi, Mendick, Minto, and Panlathy’, Scottish Language, 23 (2004), 57–67. The ninth-century Historia Brittonum mentions a similar-looking battle-site called urbs Iudeu, which many scholars have assumed was the same as Bede's urbs Giudi, but this identification is uncertain.{{Rp|page=7–9}}

A stone cist, found in Coneypark Nursery{{cite web|title=OS 25 inch map 1892–1949, with Bing opacity slider|url=http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16&lat=56.1139&lon=-3.9594&layers=168&b=1|website=National Library of Scotland|publisher=Ordnance Survey|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130162106/http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16&lat=56.1139&lon=-3.9594&layers=168&b=1|archive-date=30 November 2012|url-status=live}} in 1879, is Stirling's oldest catalogued artefact.{{Canmore |num=46189 |desc=Cairn (Period Unassigned), Cist(S) (Period Unassigned), Beaker|access-date=11 February 2017}} Bones from the cist were radiocarbon dated and found to be over four millennia old, originating within the date range 2152 to 2021 BC.{{cite news|last1=McNeill|first1=Alastair|title=Stirling's oldest resident revealed to be 4000-year-old 'Torbrex Tam'|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/stirlings-oldest-resident-revealed-4000-11449217|access-date=3 November 2017|agency=Daily Record|date=1 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171104034008/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/stirlings-oldest-resident-revealed-4000-11449217|archive-date=4 November 2017|url-status=live}} Nicknamed Torbrex Tam, the man, whose bones were discovered by workmen, died while still in his twenties.{{cite book|last1=Hutchison|first1=A.F.|title=Transactions 1878–1879|date=1898|publisher=Stirling Field Club (now Stirling Natural History and Archaeological Society)|location=Stirling|pages=13–22|url=https://archive.org/stream/transactions45socigoog#page/n27/mode/2up|access-date=4 November 2017}} Other Bronze Age finds near the city come from the area around Cambusbarron.{{cite web|last1=Paterson|first1=P. T.|title=Byegone Days of Cambusbarron|url=http://cambusbarron.com/about/bygone_days_cambusbarron.html|website=cambusbarron dot com|access-date=7 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408082316/http://cambusbarron.com/about/bygone_days_cambusbarron.html|archive-date=8 April 2017|url-status=live}} It had been thought that the Randolphfield standing stones were more than 3000 years old but recent radiocarbon dating suggests they may date from the time of Bruce.{{cite news|title='Ancient' standing stones are linked to 1314 battle|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14994252.___Ancient____standing_stones_are_linked_to_1314_battle/|access-date=7 April 2017|agency=Herald & Times Group|work=The Herald|date=30 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408082321/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14994252.___Ancient____standing_stones_are_linked_to_1314_battle/|archive-date=8 April 2017|url-status=live}}

The earliest known structures in Stirling are now destroyed but comprised two Neolithic Cursus in Bannockburn.{{cite web |title=Bannockburn West |url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/47257/bannockburn-west |access-date=21 May 2020 |website=canmore.org.uk}} To the south of Stirling is Gillies Hill which contains a series of prehistoric fortifications. Two structures are known: what is currently called Wallstale Dun{{cite web|url=http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/46232/details/wallstale/|title=Wallstale – Canmore|website=canmore.rcahms.gov.uk|access-date=7 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508103355/http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/46232/details/wallstale/|archive-date=8 May 2014|url-status=live}} on the southern end of Touchadam Craig, and Gillies Hill fort{{cite web|url=http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/46246/details/gillies+hill/|title=Gillies Hill – Canmore|website=canmore.rcahms.gov.uk|access-date=7 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508111132/http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/46246/details/gillies+hill/|archive-date=8 May 2014|url-status=live}} on the northwest end of the craig. Both structures were built by Iron Age peoples and Gillies Hill is c 2500 years old while the Wallstale structure is later and is related in form to brochs, these appear to coincide with the Roman period and there are around 40 or so in the wider area. South of the city, the King's Park prehistoric carvings (cup and ring marks) can still be found, these date to c 3000 BC.{{cite web |url=http://megalithix.wordpress.com/2008/11/25/kings-park-stirling-stirlingshire/ |title=King's Park, Stirling, Stirlingshire " The Northern Antiquarian |publisher=Megalithix.wordpress.com |date=25 November 2008 |access-date=14 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090729104220/http://megalithix.wordpress.com/2008/11/25/kings-park-stirling-stirlingshire/ |archive-date=29 July 2009 |url-status=live }}

File:Stirlingcastle.jpg (southwest aspect)]]Its other notable geographic feature is its proximity to the lowest crossing point of the River Forth. Control of the bridge brought military advantage in times of unrest and excise duty, or pontage dues,{{cite book|last1=Fleming|first1=James Sturk|title=The old Castle Vennal of Stirling : and its occupants, with the old brig of Stirling / by J.S. Fleming; illustrated by ... the author; with introductory chapter by John Honeyman|date=1906|publisher=Observer office|location=Stirling|pages=151–160|url=https://archive.org/stream/oldcastlevennalo00flem#page/151/mode/1up|access-date=5 April 2017}} in peacetime. Unsurprisingly excise men were installed in a covered booth in the centre of the bridge to collect tax from any entering the royal burgh with goods.{{cite book|last=Durie|first=Bruce|title=The Story of Stirling|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cI_YBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT39|year=2014|publisher=History Press|isbn=978-0-7509-6040-3|page=39}} Stirling remained the river's lowest reliable crossing point (that is, without a weather-dependent ferry or seasonal ford{{cite web|last1=Shave|first1=Paul|title=UPPER FORTH RIVER TO STIRLING|url=http://www.fyca.org.uk/Cruising/CruisingGuide/cruisingP17.htm|website=Forth Yacht Clubs' Association|access-date=11 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507013258/http://www.fyca.org.uk/Cruising/CruisingGuide/cruisingP17.htm|archive-date=7 May 2014|url-status=dead}}) until the construction of the Alloa Swing Bridge between Throsk and Alloa in 1885.{{cite web|title=OS 25 inch, 1892–1905|url=http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=12&lat=56.0953&lon=-3.7817&layers=168&b=1|website=National Library of Scotland|publisher=Ordnance Survey|access-date=3 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130162106/http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=12&lat=56.0953&lon=-3.7817&layers=168&b=1|archive-date=30 November 2012|url-status=live}}

The city has two Latin mottoes, which appeared on the earliest burgh seal{{cite web|title=Stirling (Scotland)|url=http://www.ngw.nl/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Stirling_(Scotland)#Burgh|website=Heraldry of the World|access-date=3 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404044525/http://www.ngw.nl/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Stirling_(Scotland)#Burgh|archive-date=4 April 2017|url-status=live}} of which an impression of 1296 is on record.RM Urquhart, Scottish Burgh and County Heraldry, London, 1973 The first alludes to the story as recorded by Boece who relates that in 855 Scotland was invaded by two Northumbrian princes, Osbrecht and Ella.{{cite book|last1=Nimmo|first1=William|last2=Gillespie|first2=Robert|title=The history of Stirlingshire|date=1880|publisher=Thomas D. Morison|location=Glasgow|pages=63–64|url=https://archive.org/stream/historyofstirlin01nimm#page/64/mode/1up/search/osbrecht|access-date=7 April 2017}} They united their forces with the Cumbrian Britons{{cite book|last1=Holinshed|first1=Raphael|title=Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland 1577 (Vol 1)|date=1807|publisher=J. Johnson [etc.]|location=London|pages=203–204|url=https://archive.org/stream/holinshedschroni01holi#page/203/mode/1up/search/the+Britons+had+all+the+lands+from+Sterling+to+the+Ireland+seas|access-date=15 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413022354/http://www.archive.org/stream/holinshedschroni01holi#page/203/mode/1up/search/the+Britons+had+all+the+lands+from+Sterling+to+the+Ireland+seas|archive-date=13 April 2016|url-status=live}} in order to defeat the Scots. Having secured Stirling castle, they built the first stone bridge over the Forth.

On the top they reportedly raised a crucifix with the inscription: "Anglos, a Scotis separat, crux ista remotis; Arma hic stant Bruti; stant Scoti hac sub cruce tuti."{{cite book|last1=Stewart|first1=William|last2=Turnbull|first2=William B.|title=The buik of the croniclis of Scotland : or, A metrical version of the History of Hector Boece|date=1858|publisher=Published by the authority of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, under the direction of the Master of the Rolls – Longman, Brown, Green, Longmans, and Roberts|pages=441–442|url=https://archive.org/stream/buikofcroniclis02boec#page/442/mode/1up/search/Anglos|access-date=14 April 2017}} Bellenden translated this loosely as "I am free marche, as passengers may ken, To Scottis, to Britonis, and to Inglismen." It may be the stone cross was a tripoint for the three kingdom's borders or marches;{{cite book|last1=Shearer|first1=John Elliot|title=Shearer's Stirling : historical and descriptive, with extracts from Burgh records and Exchequer Roll volumes, 1264 to 1529, view of Stirling in 1620, and an old plan of Stirling|date=1897|publisher=R.S. Shearer & Son|location=Stirling|page=17|url=https://archive.org/stream/shearersstirling00rssh#page/17/mode/1up/search/merchis|access-date=14 April 2017}} the cross functioning both as a dividing territorial marker, and as a uniting{{cite book|last1=Henry|first1=Matthew|title=Exposition of the Old and New Testaments ... with practical remarks and observations (Vol 2)|date=1708|publisher=Nisbet|location=London|pages=103–109|url=https://archive.org/stream/expositionofoldn02henruoft#page/103/mode/1up/search/bridge|access-date=15 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414174929/http://archive.org/stream/expositionofoldn02henruoft#page/103/mode/1up/search/bridge|archive-date=14 April 2012|url-status=live}} witness stone like in the Bible story in Joshua 22.{{cite web|title=Joshua 22|url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=joshua+22%3A10-34&version=ESV|website=Bible Gateway|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414081319/https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=joshua+22%3A10-34&version=ESV|archive-date=14 April 2017|url-status=live}} "Angles and Scots here demarked, By this cross kept apart. Brits and Scots armed stand near, By this cross stand safe here." This would make the cross on the centre of the first stone bridge the Heart of Scotland.

The Stirling seal has only the second part, in a slightly different form:

:Hic Armis Bruti Scoti Stant Hic Cruce Tuti

:(Brits and Scots armed and near, by this cross stand safe here.)

Apparently the Latin is not first rate having four syllables in "cruce tuti" but the meaning seems to be that the Lowland Strathclyde Britons on the southern shore and the Highland Pictish Scots{{cite journal|last1=Broun|first1=Dauvit|title=Britain and the beginning of Scotland|journal=Journal of the British Academy|date=5 December 2013|volume=3|pages=107–137|doi=10.5871/jba/003.107 |url=http://eprints.gla.ac.uk/104300/7/104300.pdf#page=19|access-date=20 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923012710/http://eprints.gla.ac.uk/104300/7/104300.pdf#page=19|archive-date=23 September 2017|url-status=live}} on the northern shore stand protected from each other by their common Christianity.{{cite book|last1=Marquess of Bute|first1=John|last2=Lonsdale|first2=H. W.|last3=MacPhail|first3=J. R. N.|title=The Arms of the Royal and Parliamentary Burghs of Scotland|date=1897|publisher=William Blackwood & Sons|location=Edinburgh|page=370|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.c2916083;view=1up;seq=380;size=125|access-date=11 April 2017}}

A more modern translation suggests that rather than Briton, bruit might be better read as brute, i.e. brute Scots, implying a non-Scots identity was retained in Stirling for some time after inclusion into the land controlled by the King of Scots.{{cite web|url=https://randomscottishhistory.com/2021/04/01/impressions-of-old-glasgow-and-other-seals-pp-164-166/|title=Impressions of Old Glasgow and Other Seals|date=April 2021 |pages=164–166|access-date=6 November 2022}}

The second motto is:

:Continet Hoc in Se Nemus et Castrum Strivelinse

:(Contained within this seal pressed down, the wood an' castle o' Stirlin' town.)

It has been claimed that the "Bridge" seal was regarded as the Burgh seal proper, the "Castle" seal being simply a reverse, used when the seal was affixed by a lace to a charter.{{cite book|title=The Scottish antiquary, or, Northern notes & queries|date=1895|publisher=T. and A. Constable|location=Edinburgh|url=https://archive.org/stream/scottishantiquar10unse#page/24/mode/2up/search/%22the+old+seals+of+stirling%22|access-date=7 April 2017}} This agrees with a description in an official publication (which spells{{cite web|title=Beginners' Latin – Problems with Latin and the documents|url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/latin/beginners/problems/|website=The National Archives|access-date=8 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409112518/http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/latin/beginners/problems/|archive-date=9 April 2017|url-status=live}} Bruti with only one letter t).{{cite book|title=Charters and Other Documents Relating to the Royal Burgh of Stirling, A.D. 1124–1705|date=1884|publisher=Printer for the Provost, Magistrates, and Council of the Burgh of Stirling|location=Glasgow|url=https://archive.org/stream/chartersotherdo00stir#page/n16/mode/1up}} Clearer images are available{{cite web|title=home|url=https://stirlingincorporatedtrades.org/home/|website=Seven Incorporated Trades of Stirling|date=14 October 2014 |access-date=7 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408082342/https://stirlingincorporatedtrades.org/home/|archive-date=8 April 2017|url-status=live}} with different lettering.{{cite book|title=Charters and Other Documents Relating to the Royal Burgh of Stirling, A.D. 1124–1705|date=1884|publisher=Printer for the Provost, Magistrates, and Council of the Burgh of Stirling|location=Glasgow|url=https://archive.org/stream/chartersotherdo00stir#page/n7/mode/2up}} Sibbald conflated the two mottos into a single rhyme;{{cite book|last1=Sibbald|title=Sibbald's History & Description of Stirlingshire Ancient and Modern 1707|date=1707|publisher=R. S. Shearer & Son|location=Edinburgh|page=42|edition= 1892 |url=https://archive.org/stream/SibbaldsHistoryDescriptionOfStirlingshireAncientAndModern1707/Book_Stirling#page/n47/mode/2up/search/seal|access-date=19 June 2017}} he gave no indication that he was aware of Boece's work.{{cite book|last1=Ronald|first1=James|title=Landmarks of Old Stirling|date=1899|publisher=Eneas Mackay|location=Stirling|pages=240–285|url=https://archive.org/stream/landmarksoldsti00ronagoog#page/n276/mode/2up|access-date=20 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091010075855/http://www.archive.org/stream/landmarksoldsti00ronagoog#page/n276/mode/2up|archive-date=10 October 2009|url-status=live}}

Stirling was first declared a royal burgh by King David in the 12th century, with later charters reaffirmed by subsequent monarchs. A ferry, and later bridge, on the River Forth at Stirling brought wealth and strategic influence, as did its tidal port at Riverside.{{cite web|title=Riverside Heritage Trail|url=http://www.stirling.gov.uk/__documents/temporary-uploads/employment,-community-_and_-youth/sht-2014/communitiesteam_shtriverside-boards.pdf|website=Stirling Council|access-date=3 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404044346/http://www.stirling.gov.uk/__documents/temporary-uploads/employment,-community-_and_-youth/sht-2014/communitiesteam_shtriverside-boards.pdf|archive-date=4 April 2017|url-status=live}} As Stirling's economy grew, a Royal Park was established as a landscape setting to the north of the castle in the 12th century.{{cite web |last1=Harrison |first1=John G |title=The Creation and Survival of Some Scots Royal Landscapes |url=https://www.johnscothist.com/uploads/5/0/2/4/5024620/scottish_royal_landscapes.pdf |access-date=4 March 2025 |date=25 August 2016}} The short-lived New Park was established in the later 13th century and contains a cockshot wood (Coxet Hill), likely to have been used as a base in the Battle of Bannockburn.{{cite news |last1=McNeill |first1=Alastair |title=Stirling's Coxet Hill may have been site of Bruce's Bannockburn headquarters |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/stirlings-coxet-hill-been-site-24325575 |work=Daily Record |date=15 June 2021 }} Major battles during the Wars of Scottish Independence took place at the Stirling Old Bridge in 1297 and at the nearby village of Bannockburn in 1314 involving Andrew Moray and William Wallace, and Robert the Bruce respectively. After the Battle of Stirling Bridge, Moray and Wallace wrote to Hanseatic League leaders in Lübeck and Hamburg to encourage trade between Scottish and German ports.{{cite web|title=The Lübeck letter, 1297|url=http://www.scottisharchivesforschools.org/WarsOfIndependence/LubeckLetter.asp|website=Scottish Archives For Schools|publisher=National Records of Scotland|access-date=3 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401015209/http://www.scottisharchivesforschools.org/WarsOfIndependence/LubeckLetter.asp|archive-date=1 April 2017|url-status=live}} There were also several Sieges of Stirling Castle in the conflict, notably in 1304.{{cite web|title=Stirling Castle Timeline|url=http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/stirling/stirlingcastle/timeline.html|website=Undiscovered Scotland|access-date=8 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405200159/http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/stirling/stirlingcastle/timeline.html|archive-date=5 April 2017|url-status=live}}

File:(Cambuskenneth Abbey, Stirling, Scotland) (LOC) (3449503885).jpg, King of Scots, and Margaret of Denmark at Cambuskenneth Abbey]]

Another important historical site in the area is the ruins of Cambuskenneth Abbey, the resting place of King James III of Scotland and his queen, Margaret of Denmark.{{cite web|url=http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/propertyresults/propertydetail.htm?PropID=PL_052&PropName=Cambuskenneth%20Abbey|title=Cambuskenneth Abbey|publisher=Historic Scotland|access-date=5 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111102010/http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/propertyresults/propertydetail.htm?PropID=PL_052&PropName=Cambuskenneth%20Abbey|archive-date=11 January 2012|url-status=live}} The king died at the Battle of Sauchieburn by forces nominally led by his son and successor James IV. During the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, the Battle of Stirling also took place in the centre of Stirling on 12 September 1648. 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.{{cite book |last=Ross |first=David. R. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jm6FrlKJIEQC&pg=PA79 |title=On the Trail of Bonnie Prince Charlie |publisher=Dundurn |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-946487-68-4 |edition=1st |page=79 |oclc=46513063}} The castle and the church are shown on Blaeu's map{{cite web|last1=Blaeu|first1=Joan|title=Sterlinensis praefectura, [vulgo], Sterlin-Shyr / Auct. Timoth. Pont.|url=http://maps.nls.uk/atlas/blaeu/browse/125|website=National Library of Scotland|access-date=9 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311234239/http://maps.nls.uk/atlas/blaeu/browse/125|archive-date=11 March 2017|url-status=live}} of 1654 which was derived from Pont's earlier map.{{cite web|last1=Pont|first1=Timothy|title=[The East Central Lowlands (Stirling, Falkirk & Kilsyth)] – Pont 32|url=http://maps.nls.uk/pont/view/?id=pont32#zoom=6&lat=3284&lon=5309&layers=BT|website=National Library of Scotland|access-date=9 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817032322/http://maps.nls.uk/pont/view/?id=pont32#zoom=6&lat=3284&lon=5309&layers=BT|archive-date=17 August 2016|url-status=live}}File:Church of the Holy Rude 001.jpg (Holy Cross){{cite book |last1=Scott |first1=Hew |title=Fasti ecclesiae scoticanae; the succession of ministers in the Church of Scotland from the reformation |date=1923 |publisher=Oliver and Boyd |location=Edinburgh |pages=[https://archive.org/stream/fastiecclesiaesc04scot#page/316/mode/2up 317]–333 |volume=4 |url=https://archive.org/stream/fastiecclesiaesc04scot |author-link=Hew Scott}}]]Standing near the castle, the Church of the Holy Rude is one of the town's most historically important buildings. Founded in 1129 it is the second oldest building in the city after Stirling castle. It was rebuilt in the 15th-century after Stirling suffered a catastrophic fire in 1405, and is reputed to be the only surviving church in the United Kingdom apart from Westminster Abbey to have held a coronation.{{cite web|url=http://holyrude.org/history.htm|title=The Church of the Holy Rude|publisher=Church of Scotland|access-date=1 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724123631/http://www.holyrude.org/history.htm|archive-date=24 July 2011|url-status=dead}} The death of James V led to the Rough Wooing, a period where Henry VIII of England attempted to marry the infant Mary Queen of Scots to his son.{{cn|date=February 2025}} Stirling responded by constructing a burgh wall to the south of town, which is among the best preserved in Scotland.{{cite web |title=Stirling, town wall & bastion & Port Street Bastion at 44 Bastion Wyn |url=https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/apex/f?p=1505:300:::::VIEWTYPE,VIEWREF:designation,SM1754 |website=Historic Environment Scotland |access-date=17 February 2025}} Recent archaeological research has identified two new bastions or positions of strength on the wall and Stirling's last surviving medieval gate.{{cite web |title=Case for the defence as Stirling's lost bastion revealed |url=https://www.stirling.gov.uk/news/case-for-the-defence-as-stirling-s-lost-bastion-revealed/ |website=Strling Council |access-date=1 March 2025}} On 29 July 1567 the infant son of Mary, Queen of Scots, was anointed James VI of Scotland in the church. James' bride, Anne of Denmark was crowned in the church at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh. The Holy Rude congregation still meet and some 19th century parish records survive.{{cite web|title=Male Heads of families 1834–35|url=http://www.oldscottish.com/stirling-holy-rude.html|website=Genealogy and Family History|publisher=Old Scottish|access-date=3 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404045658/http://www.oldscottish.com/stirling-holy-rude.html|archive-date=4 April 2017|url-status=live}} Musket shot marks that may come from Cromwell's troops during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms are clearly visible on the tower and apse of the church. There are also musket scars on a gravestone in the cemetery indicating the troop movement to the castle.

Economically, the city's port supported foreign trade, historically doing significant trade in the Low Countries, particularly with Bruges{{cite book|last1=Nimmo|first1=William|last2=Gillespie|first2=Robert|title=The history of Stirlingshire|date=1880|publisher=Thomas D. Morison|location=Glasgow|page=369|edition= 3rd|url=https://archive.org/stream/historyofstirlin01nimm#page/369/mode/1up|access-date=5 April 2017}} in Belgium and Veere{{cite book|last1=Morris|first1=David B.|title=The Stirling merchant gild and life of John Cowane.|date=1919|publisher=Morris, David B.|location=Stirling|pages=195–210|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=umn.319510020985415;view=1up;seq=199|access-date=8 April 2017}} in the Netherlands. In the 16th century there were so many Scots in Danzig{{cite book|editor-last1=Cook|editor-first1=W. R. |editor-last2=Morris|editor-first2=David R |title=The Stirling guildry book. Extracts from the records of the merchant guild of Stirling ... 1592–1846|date=1916|publisher=Glasgow, Stirlingshire and Sons of the Rock Society|location=Stirling|page=271|url=https://archive.org/stream/cu31924030086734#page/n282/mode/1up/search/danskin|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418150245/https://archive.org/stream/cu31924030086734#page/n282/mode/1up/search/danskin|archive-date=18 April 2017|url-status=live}} in Prussia that they had their own church congregation and trade is mentioned with that city in Stirling Council's minutes of 1560.{{cite book|last1=Morris|first1=David B.|title=The Stirling merchant gild and life of John Cowane.|date=1919|publisher=Morris, David B.|location=Stirling|pages=202–204|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=umn.319510020985415;view=2up;seq=206;size=125|access-date=8 April 2017}} Around John Cowane's time there is an account which states there were about 30,000 Scots families living in Poland{{cite book|editor-last1=Steuart|editor-first1=Archibald Francis |title=Papers relating to the Scots in Poland,1576–1793|date=1915|publisher=Printed by T. and A. Constable for the Scottish History Society|location=Edinburgh|url=https://archive.org/stream/papersrelatingto00edin#page/n9/mode/2up/search/thirty+thousand+scots+families|access-date=16 October 2017}} although that was possibly{{cite web|title=Scotland in Europe|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/scottishhistory/europe/intro_europe.shtml|website=BBC History|access-date=8 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411195316/http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/scottishhistory/europe/intro_europe.shtml|archive-date=11 April 2017|url-status=live}} an exaggeration.{{cite book|last1=Morris|first1=David B.|title=The Stirling merchant gild and life of John Cowane.|date=1919|publisher=Morris, David B.|location=Stirling|page=204|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=umn.319510020985415;view=1up;seq=208|access-date=8 April 2017}} Trade with the Baltic{{cite book|last=King|first=Elspeth|title=Old Stirling|year=2009|publisher=Stenlake Publishing|isbn=9781840334517|page=4}} also took place such as a timber trade with Norway.

After the Jacobite threat had faded but before the railways were established, the Highland cattle drovers would use the Auld Brig on their way to market at Falkirk{{cite web|title=Scottish Cattle Droving|url=https://must-see-scotland.com/scottish-cattle-droving/|website=Must See Scotland|access-date=10 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410214737/https://must-see-scotland.com/scottish-cattle-droving/|archive-date=10 April 2017|url-status=live}} or Stenhousemuir.{{cite web|last1=Scott|first1=Ian|title=The Falkirk Trysts|url=http://www.falkirklocalhistorysociety.co.uk/home/index.php?id=99|website=Falkirk Local History Society|access-date=10 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410220445/http://www.falkirklocalhistorysociety.co.uk/home/index.php?id=99|archive-date=10 April 2017|url-status=live}} Three times a year, tens of thousands of cattle, sheep and ponies were moved together to the trysts in the south with some drovers going as far as Carlisle or even London's Smithfield.{{cite web|last1=Clingan-Smith|first1=Oswald|title=Interview with a representative of Art UK|url=https://artuk.org/discover/stories/interview-with-museum-cat-oswald-clingan-smith|website=artuk|access-date=11 April 2017|ref=)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307134152/https://artuk.org/discover/stories/interview-with-museum-cat-oswald-clingan-smith|archive-date=7 March 2017|url-status=live}} There is a record of a four-mile long tailback (of livestock) developing from St. Ninians to Bridge of Allan after a St. Ninians tollman had a dispute.{{cite book|last1=Drysdale|first1=William|title=Old faces, old places, and old stories of Stirling|date=1898|publisher=E. Mackay|location=Stirling|pages=35–36|url=https://archive.org/stream/oldfacesoldplace00drysrich#page/36/mode/2up/search/cattle|access-date=5 April 2017}}

File:The Municipal Building, Corn Exchange Street, Stirling (28575910626).jpg]]

In the early 19th century an "exceedingly low" cost steamboat service used to run between Stirling and Newhaven or Granton.{{cite book|title=The new statistical account of Scotland|date=1845|publisher=W. Blackwood and Sons|location=Edinburgh and London|pages=432–433|url=https://archive.org/stream/newstatisticalac08edin#page/432/mode/2up|access-date=8 April 2017}} The coming of the railways in 1848 started the decline of the river traffic,{{cite book |last1=Drysdale |first1=William |url=https://archive.org/stream/oldfacesoldplace00drysrich#page/44/mode/2up |title=Old faces, old places, and old stories of Stirling |date=1898 |publisher=E. Mackay |location=Stirling |pages=44–45 |access-date=5 April 2017 |via=Internet Archive}} not least because the Alloa Swing Bridge downstream restricted access for shipping. The railways did provide opportunity too with one Riverside company selling their reaping machines as far afield as Syria and Australia. Similarly, in 1861, a company making baby carriages was set up. These prams were exported to Canada, South America, India and South Africa.{{cite web|title=Riverside Heritage Trail|url=http://www.stirling.gov.uk/__documents/temporary-uploads/employment,-community-_and_-youth/sht-2014/communitiesteam_shtriverside-boards.pdf#page=2|website=Stirling Council|access-date=3 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404044346/http://www.stirling.gov.uk/__documents/temporary-uploads/employment,-community-_and_-youth/sht-2014/communitiesteam_shtriverside-boards.pdf#page=2|archive-date=4 April 2017|url-status=live}}

The Princes Street drill hall was completed in 1908{{cite web|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/221329/stirling-princes-street-drill-hall|title= Stirling, Princes Street, Drill Hall|publisher=Canmore|access-date=27 June 2017}} and the Municipal Buildings, which formed the headquarters of Stirling Burgh Council for much of the 20th century, were completed in 1918.{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB41105|desc= Municipal Buildings, 8-10 Corn Exchange Road, Stirling |access-date=20 July 2021}}

After the blockades of the World Wars there was some increase in the use of the port including a tea trade with India. However, with normal shipping lanes open, the growth of the railways including The Forth Rail Bridge, left the harbour uneconomical and by the mid 20th century the port had ceased to operate.

File:Stirling Council Head Quarters - geograph.org.uk - 131346.jpg is the administrative centre of Stirling Council.]]

In terms of local government, the city of Stirling is a part of the wider Stirling Council area, which is based at Old Viewforth and governs on matters of local administration as set out by the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994.

For the purposes of the Scottish Parliament, the city of Stirling forms part of the Stirling constituency of the Scottish Parliament constituency. The Stirling Scottish Parliament (or Holyrood) constituency created in 1999 is one of nine within the Mid Scotland and Fife electoral region. Each constituency elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) by the first past the post system of election, and the region elects seven additional members to produce a form of proportional representation. The constituency's Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) is Evelyn Tweed of the Scottish National Party (SNP).{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.scot/msps/current-and-previous-msps/evelyn-tweed |title=Evelyn Tweed, MSP for Stirling |year=2021 |publisher=The Scottish Parliament |access-date=13 January 2022 }}

In terms of national government, the city of Stirling forms part of the county constituency of Stirling and Strathallan, electing one Member of Parliament (MP) to the House of Commons of the parliament of the United Kingdom by first past the post system. Chris Kane of the Labour Party has been the MP for Stirling and Strathallan since the 2024 general election,{{Cite news |title=Stirling and Strathallan - General election results 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/S14000105 |access-date=2024-10-31 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} when the seat was first contested - prior to this, Stirling was part of the constituency of Stirling.

Historical voting records can be found in online databases.{{cite web|title=Election Results|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/16634/units|website=A Vision of Britain Through Time|publisher=Portsmouth University|access-date=9 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009193836/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/16634/units|archive-date=9 October 2017|url-status=live}}

File:Stirling Bridge and Wallace Monument.JPG.]]

Stirling is renowned as the Gateway to the Highlands and is generally regarded as occupying a strategic position at the point where the flatter, largely undulating Scottish Lowlands meet the rugged slopes of the Highlands along the Highland Boundary Fault.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=crxqdevlel8C&pg=PA271|title=Scotland|last=Miers|first=Richenda|page=271|publisher=The Globe Pequot Press|year=2006|isbn=9781860113390 }}{{cite book |author=Josephine Buchanan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aynVaKQqJCgC&pg=PA213 |title=Scotland |publisher=APA Publications |year=2003 |isbn=9789812349507 |page=213 |oclc=51814943 |access-date=6 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605201330/http://books.google.com/books?id=aynVaKQqJCgC&pg=PA213 |archive-date=5 June 2013 |url-status=live}} The starkness of this contrast is evidenced by the many hills and mountains of the lower Highlands such as Ben Vorlich and Ben Ledi which can be seen to the northwest of the city. On the other hand, the Carse of Stirling, stretching to the west and east of the city, is one of the flattest and most agriculturally productive expanses of land in the whole of Scotland.

The land surrounding Stirling{{cite web |title=OS 10-mile Geological |url=http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=11&lat=56.1181&lon=-3.9360&layers=10geol&b=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130162106/http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=11&lat=56.1181&lon=-3.9360&layers=10geol&b=1 |archive-date=30 November 2012 |access-date=3 April 2017 |website=National Library of Scotland}} has been most affected by glacial erosion and deposition. The city itself has grown up around its castle which stands atop an ancient quartz-dolerite sill, known as the Stirling Sill, a major defensive position which was at the lowest crossing point on the River Forth. Stirling stands on the Forth at the point where the river widens and becomes tidal. To the east of the city the Ochil Hills dominate the skyline with the highest peak in the range being Ben Cleuch, although Dumyat is more noticeable from Stirling. The Ochils meet the flat carse (floodplain) of the River Forth to the east of the distinctive geographical feature of Abbey Craig, a crag and tail hill upon which stands the 220 ft (67 m) high National Wallace Monument.[http://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst10406.html Abbey Craig] Gazetteer for Scotland {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105025259/http://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst10406.html|date=5 January 2012}}

Top of the Town consists of Broad Street, Castle Wynd, Ballengeich Pass, Lower Castle Hill Road, Darnley Street, Baker Street (formerly Baxters St), St John Street and St Mary's Wynd. These streets all lead up to Stirling Castle and are the favourite haunt of tourists who stop off at the Old Town Jail, Mar's Wark, Argyll's Lodging and the castle. Ballengeich Pass leads to the graveyard at Ballengeich and the Castle Wynd winds past the old graveyard. The Top of the Town from Broad Street upwards is renowned for its cobblestoned roads, and cars can be heard rattling over the cobblestones on the way down. Craft shops and tourist-focused shops are evident on the way up and once at the top, panoramic views are available across Stirling and beyond.

All areas{{cite web |title=Zoomable street map with opacity control |url=http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17&lat=56.1286&lon=-3.9370&layers=168&b=2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130162106/http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17&lat=56.1286&lon=-3.9370&layers=168&b=2 |archive-date=30 November 2012 |access-date=4 April 2017 |website=Map Images |publisher=National Library of Scotland}}

File:Broad St Stirling Scotland.jpg

{{div col|colwidth=9em}}

• Abbey Craig
• Airthrey
• Allan Park
• Back o' Hill
• Bannockburn
• Borestone
• Braehead
• Bridgehaugh
• Broomridge
• Brucefields
• Burghmuir
• Cambusbarron
• Cambuskenneth
• Causewayhead
• Chartershall
• Corn Exchange
• Cornton
• Coxethill
• Craigforth
• Craigmill
• Craig Leith
• Cultenhove
• Dumyat
• Forthbank
• Gillies Hill
• Gowan Hill
• Hillpark
• Kenningknowes
• Kersemill
• Kildean
• King's Park
• Ladyneuk
• Laurelhill
• Livilands
• Loanhead
• Logie
• Mote Hill
• Meadowforth
• Mercat Cross
• Pirnhall
• Queenshaugh
• Raploch
• Randolphfield
• Riverside
• Spittal Hill
• Springkerse
• St. Ninians
• Top of the Town
• Torbrex
• Whins of Milton
• Viewforth
• Westhaugh
• Wolfcraig

{{div col end}}

Historical place names for Stirling town in 1858–61 were compiled by O.S. map makers.{{cite book |url=http://www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/digital-volumes/ordnance-survey-name-books/stirlingshire-os-name-books-1858-61/stirlingshire-volume-24?transcription=1 |title=Stirlingshire OS Name Books, 1858–61 |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=8 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409021229/http://www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/digital-volumes/ordnance-survey-name-books/stirlingshire-os-name-books-1858-61/stirlingshire-volume-24?transcription=1 |archive-date=9 April 2017 |url-status=live}}

Like most of the United Kingdom, Stirling has an oceanic climate (Köppen Cfb) with mild summers and cool, wet winters. Stirling has some of the warmest summers in all of Scotland, being relatively far away from the cooling effects of the North Sea and the Firth of Clyde.

{{Weather box

|location = Stirling (1991–2020 averages, extremes 2009–present, [{{convert|25|m|abbr=on|disp=or}} asl])

|single line = Yes

|metric first = Yes

|Jan record high C = 13.6

|Feb record high C = 15.5

|Mar record high C = 17.1

|Apr record high C = 21.1

|May record high C = 27.8

|Jun record high C = 32.3

|Jul record high C = 29.0

|Aug record high C = 24.9

|Sep record high C = 23.8

|Oct record high C = 19.7

|Nov record high C = 15.7

|Dec record high C = 14.5

|year record high C =

|Jan high C = 7.3

|Feb high C = 8.1

|Mar high C = 9.9

|Apr high C = 12.4

|May high C = 15.7

|Jun high C = 18.1

|Jul high C = 19.9

|Aug high C = 19.5

|Sep high C = 17.1

|Oct high C = 13.5

|Nov high C = 10.0

|Dec high C = 7.5

|year high C = 13.3

|Jan mean C = 4.4

|Feb mean C = 5.0

|Mar mean C = 6.4

|Apr mean C = 8.3

|May mean C = 11.3

|Jun mean C = 14.0

|Jul mean C = 15.7

|Aug mean C = 15.3

|Sep mean C = 12.9

|Oct mean C = 9.8

|Nov mean C = 6.7

|Dec mean C = 4.3

|year mean C = 9.5

|Jan low C = 1.4

|Feb low C = 1.9

|Mar low C = 2.9

|Apr low C = 4.3

|May low C = 6.9

|Jun low C = 9.8

|Jul low C = 11.5

|Aug low C = 11.1

|Sep low C = 8.8

|Oct low C = 6.2

|Nov low C = 3.5

|Dec low C = 1.1

|year low C = 5.8

|Jan record low C = -11.1

|Feb record low C = -7.6

|Mar record low C = -5.8

|Apr record low C = -3.9

|May record low C = -1.7

|Jun record low C = 3.6

|Jul record low C = 5.0

|Aug record low C = 3.8

|Sep record low C = 1.0

|Oct record low C = -2.8

|Nov record low C = -6.6

|Dec record low C = -15.6

|year record low C =

|Jan rain mm = 129.3

|Feb rain mm = 97.3

|Mar rain mm = 74.5

|Apr rain mm = 51.4

|May rain mm = 56.9

|Jun rain mm = 66.6

|Jul rain mm = 70.1

|Aug rain mm = 76.1

|Sep rain mm = 76.3

|Oct rain mm = 107.4

|Nov rain mm = 109.2

|Dec rain mm = 103.1

|year rain mm = 1018.1

|unit rain days = 1 mm

|Jan rain days = 16.3

|Feb rain days = 13.6

|Mar rain days = 12.8

|Apr rain days = 10.6

|May rain days = 11.3

|Jun rain days = 11.7

|Jul rain days = 13.0

|Aug rain days = 13.0

|Sep rain days = 12.6

|Oct rain days = 15.2

|Nov rain days = 16.1

|Dec rain days = 15.4

|year rain days = 161.4

|Jan sun = 39.1

|Feb sun = 66.9

|Mar sun = 99.5

|Apr sun = 137.8

|May sun = 183.1

|Jun sun = 162.0

|Jul sun = 153.7

|Aug sun = 150.5

|Sep sun = 119.5

|Oct sun = 81.3

|Nov sun = 54.0

|Dec sun = 32.2

|year sun = 1279.6

|source 1 = MetOffice{{cite web |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate/gcvpnrf34 |title=Stirling climate information |publisher=Met Office |access-date=21 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328182122/https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate/gcvpnrf34 |archive-date=28 March 2019 |url-status=live }}

|source 2 = {{cite web |url=http://www.stirlingweather.co.uk/monthlyrecord.shtml?x=1553794956065 |title=Stirling Weather |access-date=28 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328191946/http://www.stirlingweather.co.uk/monthlyrecord.shtml?x=1553794956065 |archive-date=28 March 2019 |url-status=live }}

}}

The population of the settlement of Stirling in the 2022 Census was 49,928,{{cite web | url=https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/webapi/jsf/tableView/tableView.xhtml | title=Home }} which is very similar to the figure for the settlement in 2011 of 49,950. In 2022, the Stirling council area had a population of 92,600, reflecting a 2.6% increase from the 2011 census. Of the population in 2022, 51.9% of the population were female, while 48.1% were male.{{cite web |title=Census 2022 - Briefing Note |url=https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/fe3c076be4cf4db3a036be3db0b5f975 |website=Storymaps ArcGIS |date=24 September 2023 |publisher=National Records of Scotland |access-date=7 February 2025}} The age distribution in Stirling showed that 16.7% of the population was under 15 years old, which is slightly higher than Scotland's average of 15%. Additionally, Stirling had a larger proportion of residents of pensionable age, with 20.41% of the population being 65 or older, compared to the Scottish average of 20.1%.{{cite web |title=Scotland's Population 2023 - The Registrar General's Annual Review of Demographic Trends |url=https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/publications/scotlands-population-2023-the-registrar-generals-annual-review-of-demographic-trends/#:~:text=There%20are%20now%20over%20one,in%20other%20UK%20countries%20too. |website=National Records of Scotland |publisher=The Scottish Government |access-date=7 February 2025}}

Historical records also exist both in book form and in online databases.{{cite web|title=Stirling District|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10212868|website=A Vision of Britain|publisher=University of Portsmouth|access-date=9 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009143747/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10212868|archive-date=9 October 2017|url-status=live}}

File:The_Stirling_Wolf.jpg]]

Walking the Marches is a custom probably started in the 12th century. The only way the town's boundaries could be protected was to walk round inspecting them annually. The walk was followed by a dinner.{{cite book|editor-last1=Cook|editor-first1=W. R. |editor-last2=Morris|editor-first2=David R |title=The Stirling guildry book. Extracts from the records of the merchant guild of Stirling ... 1592–1846|date=1916|publisher=Glasgow, Stirlingshire and Sons of the Rock Society|location=Stirling|page=150|url=https://archive.org/stream/cu31924030086734#page/n161/mode/1up/search/dinner|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418150245/https://archive.org/stream/cu31924030086734#page/n161/mode/1up/search/dinner|archive-date=18 April 2017|url-status=live}} This was traditionally done by the Birlaw men made up from members of the Seven Trades, the Guildry and Council. In 2014 the tradition was revived after an official abeyance of several years.{{cite web|title=Walking the Marches – Revived|url=https://stirlingincorporatedtrades.org/walking-the-marches-a-tradition-revived/|website=Seven Incorporated Trades of Stirling|date=14 October 2014 |access-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023011225/https://stirlingincorporatedtrades.org/walking-the-marches-a-tradition-revived/|archive-date=23 October 2017|url-status=live}} It now takes place on the last Saturday in May and is open for all to take part in.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

There are about sixteen libraries and two mobile libraries in Stirling.{{cite web|title=Libraries and archives|url=http://my.stirling.gov.uk/services/libraries-and-archives|website=Stirling Council|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414080710/http://my.stirling.gov.uk/services/libraries-and-archives|archive-date=14 April 2017|url-status=live}} The Smith Art Gallery and Museum is now free to tourists and residents alike. Shearer's 1895 Penny Guide to Stirling and Neighbourhood used to list it under "How to spend a few hours on a wet day".{{cite book|title=Penny Guide to Stirling, Stirling Castle, Wallace Monument, Bannockburn, Etc|date=1895|publisher=R.S. Shearer|page=22|url=https://archive.org/stream/pennyguidetostir00unse#page/22/mode/1up|access-date=5 April 2017}}

The Macrobert Arts Centre has a variety of exhibitions and performances. There are many events at the Stirling Tolbooth and at The Albert Halls.{{cite web|title=Arts – music, comedy and theatre|url=http://my.stirling.gov.uk/services/community-life-and-leisure/arts-and-entertainment/arts-music,-comedy-and-theatre|website=Stirling Council|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413235400/http://my.stirling.gov.uk/services/community-life-and-leisure/arts-and-entertainment/arts-music,-comedy-and-theatre|archive-date=13 April 2017|url-status=live}}

Stirling has hosted the National Mòd several times: in 1909, 1961, 1971 and 1987.[http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/gaidhlig/mod/ List of Mod's places] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115062253/http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/gaidhlig/mod/ |date=15 January 2013 }} for each year on Sabhal Mòr Ostaig website

File:Woman_Clasping_the_Bible.jpg]]

File:Psalm 1 Montgomerie.jpg from Zabur or The Book of Psalms. He was one of a circle of poets in the Stirling court of James VI.{{cite book|last1=Ker|first1=John|title=The Psalms in history and biography|date=1888|publisher=A. Elliot|location=Edinburgh|pages=18–19|url=https://archive.org/stream/psalmsinhistoryb00kerjuoft#page/18/mode/2up/search/montgomery|access-date=10 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091101133459/http://www.archive.org/stream/psalmsinhistoryb00kerjuoft#page/18/mode/2up/search/montgomery|archive-date=1 November 2009|url-status=live}}]]

There are currently about 20 churches in the city.

These include:

Church of Scotland{{cite journal |title=The erection of Stirling Presbytery, 1581 |journal=Scottish Church History Society |date=1932 |url=https://archive.org/stream/rschsv04p2erection#page/184/mode/1up |access-date=25 August 2018}}

• Cambusbarron Parish Church{{cite web|title=Cambusbarron Parish Church|url=http://cambusbarronchurch.org/|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405174647/http://cambusbarronchurch.org/|archive-date=5 April 2017|url-status=live}}
• Church of the Holy Rude{{cite web|title=Church of the Holy Rude|url=http://www.holyrude.org/|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422034459/http://www.holyrude.org/|archive-date=22 April 2017|url-status=live}}
• North Parish Church{{cite web|title=North Parish Church|url=http://www.northparishchurch.com/|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405081047/http://www.northparishchurch.com/|archive-date=5 April 2017|url-status=live}}
• Park Church{{cite web|title=Park Church|date=7 December 2017 |url=https://www.scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/church/park-church-stirling/|access-date=14 March 2025}}
• St Mark's Parish Church{{cite web|title=St Mark's Parish Church|url=http://stmarksstirling.org.uk/|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405170602/http://stmarksstirling.org.uk/|archive-date=5 April 2017|url-status=live}}
• St Ninians Old Parish Church{{cite web|title=St Ninians Old Parish Church|url=http://www.stniniansold.org.uk/|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405165930/http://www.stniniansold.org.uk/|archive-date=5 April 2017|url-status=live}}
• Viewfield Church{{cite web|title=Viewfield Church|url=http://www.scottishchurches.org.uk/sites/site/id/7752/name/Viewfield+Church,+Stirling+Stirling+Central|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405170505/http://www.scottishchurches.org.uk/sites/site/id/7752/name/Viewfield+Church,+Stirling+Stirling+Central|archive-date=5 April 2017|url-status=live}}

Roman Catholic{{cite web|title=Masses|url=http://weekdaymasses.org.uk/en/area/stirling/churches|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405170319/http://weekdaymasses.org.uk/en/area/stirling/churches|archive-date=5 April 2017|url-status=live}}

• Holy Spirit, St. Ninians{{cite web|url=https://www.joinmychurch.com/churches/Holy-Spirit-St-Ninian-s-Stirling-United-Kingdom/124611|title=Holy Spirit St Ninian's Stirling|website=Holy Spirit St Ninian's Stirling|access-date=5 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207020111/https://www.joinmychurch.com/churches/Holy-Spirit-St-Ninian-s-Stirling-United-Kingdom/124611|archive-date=7 February 2019|url-status=live}}
• Our Lady and St Ninian's, Bannockburn{{cite web|title=Our Lady and St Ninian's|url=https://ourladyandstninian.org.uk/|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405170045/https://ourladyandstninian.org.uk/|archive-date=5 April 2017|url-status=live}}
• St Margaret of Scotland and Holy Spirit, Raploch{{cite web|title=St Margaret of Scotland and Holy Spirit|url=http://www.saintmargaret.co.uk/|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405170532/http://www.saintmargaret.co.uk/|archive-date=5 April 2017|url-status=live}}
• St Mary's Church, Top of the Town{{cite web|title=St Mary's Church|url=http://stirlingstmarys.tripod.co.uk/|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405073507/http://stirlingstmarys.tripod.co.uk/|archive-date=5 April 2017|url-status=live}}

Other churches

• Cornerstone Community Church{{cite web|title=Cornerstone Community Church|url=http://www.cornerstonestirling.org/|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405074611/http://www.cornerstonestirling.org/|archive-date=5 April 2017|url-status=live}}
• Cornton Baptist Church{{cite web|title=Cornton Baptist Church|url=http://www.cornton.org.uk/|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405165902/http://www.cornton.org.uk/|archive-date=5 April 2017|url-status=live}}
• Holy Trinity Episcopal Church{{cite web|title=Holy Trinity Episcopal Church|url=http://www.holytrinitystirling.org/69931c49.htm|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419175757/http://www.holytrinitystirling.org/69931c49.htm|archive-date=19 April 2017|url-status=live}}
• St Ninians United Free Church of Scotland{{cite web|url=http://www.ufcos.org.uk/stirling|title=St Ninains United Free Church of Scotland|access-date=4 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107060930/http://www.ufcos.org.uk/stirling/|archive-date=7 November 2017|url-status=live}}
• Stirling Baptist Church{{cite web|title=Stirling Baptist Church|url=http://www.stirlingbaptist.org/|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405170607/http://www.stirlingbaptist.org/|archive-date=5 April 2017|url-status=live}}
• Stirling Free Church{{cite web|title=Stirling Free Church|url=http://stirlingfreechurch.co.uk/|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405173405/http://stirlingfreechurch.co.uk/|archive-date=5 April 2017|url-status=live}}
• Stirling Methodist Church{{cite web|title=Stirling Methodist Church|url=http://www.stirlingmethodistchurch.org.uk/|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222115102/http://www.stirlingmethodistchurch.org.uk/|archive-date=22 February 2017|url-status=live}}
• St. Ninian's Community Church{{cite web|title=St. Ninian's Community Church|url=http://stninianscommunitychurch.org/|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405170156/http://stninianscommunitychurch.org/|archive-date=5 April 2017|url-status=live}}
• The Salvation Army{{cite web|title=The Salvation Army|url=https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/stirling|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017065747/http://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/stirling|archive-date=17 October 2016|url-status=live}}

Islam

• Central Scotland Islamic Centre{{cite web|title=Central Scotland Islamic Centre|url=http://www.stirlingislamiccentre.co.uk/|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430080713/http://www.stirlingislamiccentre.co.uk/|archive-date=30 April 2017|url-status=live}}

File:Hotel Colessio, Stirling (28518024592).jpg

With Stirling's development as a market town and its location as the focus of transport and communications in the region, it has developed a substantial retail sector serving a wide range of surrounding communities as well as the city itself. Primarily centred on the city centre, there are a large number of chain stores, as well as the Thistles shopping centre. However this has been augmented by out-of-town developments such as the Springkerse Retail Park on the city bypass to the east of Stirling.{{cite news|url=https://www.insider.co.uk/news/property-investment-firm-buys-springkerse-24835793|title=Property investment firm buys Springkerse retail park for £21.8 million|date=25 August 2021|newspaper=Insider.co.uk| access-date=6 November 2022}}

A major new regeneration project on the site of the former port area and the {{convert|40|acre|m2|adj=on}} former Ministry of Defence site, adjacent to Stirling Railway Station, is currently underway.{{cite web |url=http://www.stirling.gov.uk/index/council/news.htm?id=33314 |title=Stirling Council: Council » Latest News |publisher=Stirling.gov.uk |access-date=14 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926231727/http://www.stirling.gov.uk/index/council/news.htm?id=33314 |archive-date=26 September 2011 |url-status=dead}} Known as Forthside, it has the aim of developing a new waterfront district linked to the railway station via Forthside Bridge. The development comprises retail, residential and commercial elements, including a conference centre, hotel and Vue multiplex cinema, that will ultimately expand the city centre area, linking it to the River Forth, which has been cut off from the city centre area since the construction of the A9 bypass under the railway station in the 1960s.{{cite web |url=http://www.instirling.com/initve/intve.htm |title=InStirling report on Forthside project |publisher=Instirling.com |access-date=14 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727025801/http://www.instirling.com/initve/intve.htm |archive-date=27 July 2010 |url-status=live }}

In the service sector, financial services as well as tourism are the biggest employers. The financial services and insurance company Scottish Amicable Life Assurance, later part of Prudential and M&G, established a large base at Craigforth on the outskirts of Stirling in the 1970s.{{cite news|url=https://www.insider.co.uk/news/masterplan-submitted-mixed-use-campus-22361050|title=Masterplan submitted for mixed use campus on Stirling Prudential site|date=16 July 2020|newspaper=Daily Record| access-date=6 November 2022}}

In terms of tourism, the presence of such historical monuments as Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument{{cite book |title=Illustrated guide to Stirling and the national Wallace monument |publisher=Mackay, Eneas |location=Stirling |edition=9th |pages=1–16 |date=1897 }} and other nearby attractions like Blair Drummond Safari Park has bolstered Stirling's position as a significant tourist destination in Scotland.{{Cite journal|last=Vines|first=Gail|date=2 December 1992|title=Safari Parks, after the Honeymoon|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=trZX7dbuW54C&pg=PA554|journal=New Scientist}}

The University of Stirling and Stirling Council are two of the biggest employers in the area. Knowledge related industries, research and development as well as life sciences have clustered around the university in the Stirling University Innovation Park, close to its main campus.{{cite web|url=https://www.evaluationsonline.org.uk/evaluations/Search.do?ui=basic&action=show&id=72|title=Evaluation of Stirling University Innovation Park Operations 1996 – 2005 Final Report for Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley|publisher=Scottish Enterprise|year=2006| access-date=6 November 2022}}

Mauchline ware started producing wooden snuff-boxes in 1790 in Mauchline, Ayrshire. They were produced of the wood from the trees from the Castle craig. Today they are highly collectible.{{Cite web|url=https://www.smithartgalleryandmuseum.co.uk/mauchline-ware/|title=Mauchline Ware|date=8 September 2014|access-date=16 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211112033/http://www.smithartgalleryandmuseum.co.uk/mauchline-ware/|archive-date=11 December 2017|url-status=live}}

Stirling is home to national construction companies Ogilvie Group, chaired by Duncan Ogilvie, who was listed in the Sunday Times Rich List as being worth £32 million in 2009.{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/duncan-ogilvie-and-family-stvwkd9t5jj|title=Duncan Ogilvie and family|date=26 April 2009|newspaper=The Sunday Times|access-date=6 November 2022}}

A Bank of Scotland survey in 2009 found that workers in Stirling had the highest average earnings of £716 a week.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8421193.stm |title=Aberdeenshire tops health and wealth living survey |work=BBC News |date=19 December 2009 |access-date=14 July 2010}}

File:2012 - panoramio (168).jpg]]

The City of Stirling is home to a large number of commuters but has fewer commuting to work in other areas, than travel into the city. About half of Scotland's population live within an hour's travel time of Stirling.{{cite web|title=Stirling's Economic Strategy|url=http://www.stirling.gov.uk/__documents/chief-executive-office/chief-executive-office/strategic-planning/stirlings-economic-strategy-low.pdf#page=5|publisher=Stirling Council|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531044930/http://www.stirling.gov.uk/__documents/chief-executive-office/chief-executive-office/strategic-planning/stirlings-economic-strategy-low.pdf#page=5|archive-date=31 May 2015|url-status=live}}

Local bus services to districts within the city are almost completely provided by buses operated by McGill's Scotland East. The surrounding towns, like Bridge of Allan, Alloa, Falkirk and Glasgow via Cumbernauld have services from the bus station.

Coaches to many Scottish towns and cities also run regularly.{{cite web|title=Stirling Bus Station|url=http://my.stirling.gov.uk/services/transport-and-streets/public-and-community-transport/public-transport-information/transport-stations,-stops-and-shelters/stirling-bus-station|website=Stirling Council|access-date=6 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407055051/http://my.stirling.gov.uk/services/transport-and-streets/public-and-community-transport/public-transport-information/transport-stations,-stops-and-shelters/stirling-bus-station|archive-date=7 April 2017|url-status=live}}

There are also railway links from Stirling railway station, including inter-city rail services to Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh Waverley, Inverness, Glasgow Queen Street, and London King's Cross. Services to Alloa, Bridge of Allan, Falkirk and Dunblane also run. Stirling Council provides some approximate journey times.{{cite web|title=Stirling Train Station and Services|url=http://my.stirling.gov.uk/services/transport-and-streets/public-and-community-transport/public-transport-information/transport-stations,-stops-and-shelters/stirling-train-station-and-services|website=Stirling Council|access-date=6 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407055250/http://my.stirling.gov.uk/services/transport-and-streets/public-and-community-transport/public-transport-information/transport-stations,-stops-and-shelters/stirling-train-station-and-services|archive-date=7 April 2017|url-status=live}} Working lines include the Highland Main Line, the Edinburgh–Dunblane line and the Croy Line. The station formerly provided direct railway services to Callander and Oban, and to Loch Lomond, over very scenic lines, and a fast service to Dunfermline.

Cities with motorway links to Stirling include Glasgow, via the M80 motorway past Cumbernauld, and Edinburgh, via the M9 motorway past Falkirk. To the north, the M9 provides access to Dunblane with easy links to Perth and further beyond the Central Belt.

Stirling has no airport, but there are international airports at Glasgow and Edinburgh which can be reached within an hour. Light aircraft can be chartered at Cumbernauld Airport.

Stirling used to have steamboats which carried hundreds of passengers a day. There is currently no working port at Stirling but there are plans to develop the river{{cite web|title=City Deal Masterplan|url=http://my.stirling.gov.uk/files/citydealmasterplan.pdf#page=14|website=Stirling Council|access-date=6 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407054632/http://my.stirling.gov.uk/files/citydealmasterplan.pdf#page=14|archive-date=7 April 2017|url-status=live}} and the harbour{{cite news|last1=Jones|first1=Gareth Iwan|title=Talks set to begin as Stirling City Deal given the go-ahead by the Chancellor|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/talks-set-begin-stirling-city-9359271|access-date=6 April 2017|publisher=Scottish Daily Record and Sunday Mail Ltd|date=29 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407055330/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/talks-set-begin-stirling-city-9359271|archive-date=7 April 2017|url-status=live}} which might include links with towns on the Firth of Forth. Since the Forth is tidal at Stirling, development of pontoon style landing stages could potentially allow river taxis and tourist boats to operate during the summer.{{cite news |last1=Rowbotham |first1=John |title=Work starts on Stirling Council's £270,000 waterfront pontoon project |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/work-starts-stirling-councils-270000-13016737 |access-date=2 August 2018 |agency=Stirling Observer |date=1 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801165058/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/work-starts-stirling-councils-270000-13016737 |archive-date=1 August 2018 |url-status=live }}

Local radio stations are community based radio stations: CastleSound {{Cite web |url=https://castlesoundradio.co.uk/|title= CastleSound |access-date= 12 October 2023}} and Air3 Radio, which is a student-run station that broadcasts from the University of Stirling. {{Cite web |url=https://air3radio.co.uk/ |title= Air3 Radio |access-date= 12 October 2023}}

The Stirling News and Stirling Observer are the local newspapers in the city. {{cite web|url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/scotland/stirling-news/|title=Stirling News|date=19 January 2014|website=British Papers|accessdate= 12 October 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/scotland/stirling-observer/|title=Stirling Observer|date=18 January 2014|website=British Papers|accessdate= 12 October 2023}}

File:Wfm scottish institute of sport.jpg located on the campus at the University of Stirling.]]

Stirling is home to professional league teams in football, rugby and cricket. The first Stirling Scottish Marathon was held on 21 May 2017.{{cite web |title=Stirling 2017 marathon up and running |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-36367682 |website=BBC News |access-date=19 December 2020 |date=24 May 2016}} The National Curling Academy is located in Stirling Sports Village.{{cite web|title=Stirling Sports Village|url=http://www.activestirling.org.uk/Stirling-Sports-Village/|website=Active Scotland|access-date=18 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218210232/http://www.activestirling.org.uk/Stirling-Sports-Village/|archive-date=18 February 2018|url-status=live}} It was opened in 2017 by Eve Muirhead.{{cite news|last1=Brannan|first1=Laura|title=Eve Muirhead opens National Curling Academy in Stirling|url=https://stv.tv/sport/more/1396258-eve-muirhead-opens-national-curling-academy-in-stirling/|access-date=17 February 2018|agency=STV|date=23 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218150510/https://stv.tv/sport/more/1396258-eve-muirhead-opens-national-curling-academy-in-stirling/|archive-date=18 February 2018|url-status=live}} They use facilities linked to The Peak.{{cite news|last1=Ferrie|first1=Kevin|title=New National Curling Academy opens its doors at The Peak in Stirling|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15445125.New_National_Curling_Academy_opens_its_doors_at_The_Peak_in_Stirling/|access-date=17 February 2018|agency=The Herald|date=31 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218150520/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15445125.New_National_Curling_Academy_opens_its_doors_at_The_Peak_in_Stirling/|archive-date=18 February 2018|url-status=live}} It was hoped this would increase the chances of British medals at events like the Winter Olympics and Paralympics.{{cite news|last1=McLeod|first1=Rhona|title=Eve Muirhead believes Scotland's National Curling Academy will help medal chase|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/winter-olympics/41026378|access-date=17 February 2018|agency=BBC|date=23 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217051559/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/winter-olympics/41026378|archive-date=17 February 2018|url-status=live}}

The senior football team, Stirling Albion, play in the Scottish League Two at their home ground at Forthbank Stadium.{{cite news |title=Stirling Albion 1-2 Aberdeen: Dons into League Cup quarter-finals |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66501473 |access-date=20 August 2023 |work=BBC News |date=18 August 2023}} In July 2010, the Stirling Albion Supporters' Trust successfully took over the running of the club buying out the long-serving chairman, Peter McKenzie, after 14 months of campaigning. This made Stirling Albion the first fully owned community club in the history of British football, after previous attempts made by Manchester United, Liverpool and Rangers.{{cite web |last=Williams |first=Martin |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/albion-fans-first-in-britain-to-own-club-1.1038737 |title=Albion fans first in Britain to own club |work=The Herald|date=2 July 2010 |access-date=6 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008110052/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/albion-fans-first-in-britain-to-own-club-1.1038737 |archive-date=8 October 2012 |url-status=live }} Stirling University L.F.C. are the premier women's football team. They play in the Scottish Women's Premier League. Their home ground is The Gannochy Sports Centre at University of Stirling.{{cite web|url=https://www.stir.ac.uk/footballclub/women/contact/|title=Student sport – Student life – University of Stirling|website=University of Stirling|access-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123010700/http://www.stir.ac.uk/footballclub/women/contact/|archive-date=23 November 2016|url-status=live}} Scotland international footballers Billy Bremner, John Colquhoun, Duncan Ferguson, female footballer Frankie Brown and brothers Gary and Steven Caldwell were born in Stirling. So were rugby internationals Kenny Logan, Ally Hogg and Alison McGrandles, jockey Willie Carson, and cricketer Dougie Brown.

Stirling County currently play in rugby's Scottish Premiership Division One. Stirling Knights Basketball Team are based at the Peak at Forthbank beside Forthbank Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.stirlingnews.co.uk/sport/15044491.Stirling_Knights_are_at_a_solid_turning_point/|title=Stirling Knights are at a solid turning point|website=Stirling News|date=24 January 2017 |access-date=11 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212193052/http://www.stirlingnews.co.uk/sport/15044491.Stirling_Knights_are_at_a_solid_turning_point/|archive-date=12 December 2017|url-status=live}} The athletics team Central Athletic Club are based at the University of Stirling. The Stirling Wanderers Hockey Club moved to a brand new (international standard) pitch at Forthbank for season 2008–09.{{cite web| access-date =26 August 2008| publisher =Stirling Wanderers| title =Stirling Wanderers Hockey club: The website for field hockey in Stirlingshire| url =http://www.stirlingwanderershockey.co.uk/| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080704172629/http://www.stirlingwanderershockey.co.uk/| archive-date =4 July 2008| url-status =live}}

Next to this pitch there is also the ground of Stirling County Cricket Club, whose pavilion captured an architectural award in June 2009,{{cite web|access-date=7 July 2009|publisher=Stirling Observer|title=Judges bowled over by club|url=http://www.stirlingobserver.co.uk/stirling-news/local-news-stirling/news-stirling/2009/06/17/judges-bowled-over-by-club-51226-23890831/|date=17 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716230100/http://www.stirlingobserver.co.uk/stirling-news/local-news-stirling/news-stirling/2009/06/17/judges-bowled-over-by-club-51226-23890831/|archive-date=16 July 2011|url-status=live}} three years after its opening.

The University of Stirling is a major centre of sports training and education in Scotland. It was designated as Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence by the Scottish Government in 2008. The headquarters of the Scottish Institute of Sport is a purpose-built facility on the campus which opened in 2002. Also at the university is the Scottish National Swimming Academy, where Rio 2016, Olympic silver medalists and students at the university, Duncan Scott and Robbie Renwick trained. Commonwealth gold medalist Ross Murdoch, who also competed at Rio 2106, is a student at the university. The Gannochy National Tennis centre, which is seen as a tennis centre of excellence, was where Andy Murray and his brother Jamie Murray honed their skills as juniors. Gordon Reid, wheel chair Olympic gold medalist in 2016, was a tennis scholar at the university.{{cite web |access-date=26 August 2008 |publisher=sportscotland |title=sportscotland serves communities with Lottery funding |url=http://www.sportscotland.org.uk/ChannelNavigation/News/TopicNavigation/Press+Releases/Archive/2004/sportscotland+serves+communities+with+Lottery+funding.htm |date=14 August 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210171409/http://www.sportscotland.org.uk/ChannelNavigation/News/TopicNavigation/Press+Releases/Archive/2004/sportscotland+serves+communities+with+Lottery+funding.htm |archive-date=10 December 2008 |url-status=dead }} The university men's and women's golf teams are consistently ranked among the best in Europe.{{cite web|publisher=University of Stirling|title=University of Stirling European Golf Champions|url=https://www.stir.ac.uk/news/2015/09/european-university-golf-team-titles-sealed-in-switzerland/|date=18 September 2016|access-date=17 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123200958/https://www.stir.ac.uk/news/2015/09/european-university-golf-team-titles-sealed-in-switzerland/|archive-date=23 November 2018|url-status=live}}

The university has a dedicated sports studies department, which is within the Faculty of Health Science and Sport, and is ranked amongst the best in the United Kingdom for its provision of sports facilities, with the maximum 5-star award, shared by 16 other universities in the UK.University of Stirling [http://www.external.stir.ac.uk/visitor_info/facts/index.php External Visitor Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060909152721/http://www.external.stir.ac.uk/visitor_info/facts/index.php |date=9 September 2006 }} The University of Stirling also currently hosts the Scottish men's lacrosse champions. Stirling and its surrounding area has a number of 9- and 18-hole golf courses, the largest of which is the Stirling Golf Course, located in the Kings Park area of the city. The Peak, a new Sports Village, was opened in April 2009 to cater for a range of sporting activities.{{cite web |url=http://www.stirling.gov.uk/thepeak |title=Sports Village |publisher=Stirling.gov.uk |access-date=14 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526112630/http://www.stirling.gov.uk/thepeak |archive-date=26 May 2010 |url-status=dead}}

In June 2014, Stirling became the home of Scottish cricket after an agreement between Stirling County Cricket Club, Cricket Scotland and Stirling Council. It is hoped that the redevelopment of the ground will start at end 2014 with the intention being to upgrade it to international match standards. Scotland will play the majority of their home international games at the ground, starting with the World T20 qualifiers in the summer of 2015. The development will see a new pavilion and indoor training facility built at New Williamfield, the home of Stirling County Cricket Club, with Cricket Scotland relocating its headquarters from the National Cricket Academy at Ravelston, Edinburgh.{{cite web|title=Cricket Scotland set to move to Stirling|url=http://www.cricketeurope4.net/DATABASE/ARTICLES7/articles/000039/003928.shtml|date=12 June 2014|access-date=12 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714190428/http://www.cricketeurope4.net/DATABASE/ARTICLES7/articles/000039/003928.shtml|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=live}}

File:Fmstirlinguni.jpg

The University of Stirling opened in 1967 on a greenfield site outside the town. In 2025 the university had 18,500 students globally, of whom over 11,000 are undergraduates and over 6,000 are postgraduates. There are over 140 nationalities represented on the university campus, with more than 30% of students being international.{{cite web | url=https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/our-reputation/facts-and-figures/ | title=Facts and figures | About }} It has grown into a major research centre, with a large Innovation Park located immediately adjacent to the main university campus. Innovation Park has grown since its initiation in 1993, and is now home to 40 companies engaging in various forms of research and development.Stirling University Innovation Park [http://www.suip.co.uk/AboutSUIP.aspx About us] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223181826/http://www.suip.co.uk/AboutSUIP.aspx |date=23 February 2007 }} In January 2008 it was announced that students from Singapore would be able to gain degrees in retail from the University of Stirling in a tie-up with the country's Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP).{{cite news |access-date=26 August 2008 |newspaper=The Scotsman |title=Stirling in degree deal with Singapore polytechnic |url=http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Stirling-in-degree-deal-with.3692118.jp |date=21 January 2008 |location=Edinburgh |first=Alastair |last=Jamieson |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604060829/http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Stirling-in-degree-deal-with.3692118.jp |archive-date=4 June 2008 |url-status=live }} Stirling is also home to part of the wider Forth Valley College which was formed on 1 August 2005 from the merger of Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannan colleges.

There are four main high schools in Stirling itself – Stirling High School, with a school roll of 964 pupils, Wallace High School with 958 pupils, St Modan's High School with 912 pupils, and Bannockburn High School in Broomridge with 752 pupils.{{cite web|url=http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/scottishschoolsonline/schools/stirlinghighschoolstirling.asp|title=Stirling High School|publisher=Learning and Teaching Scotland|access-date=4 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309073722/http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/scottishschoolsonline/schools/stirlinghighschoolstirling.asp|archive-date=9 March 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/scottishschoolsonline/schools/stmodanshighschoolstirling.asp|title=St Modans High School|publisher=Learning and Teaching Scotland|access-date=4 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309072951/http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/scottishschoolsonline/schools/stmodanshighschoolstirling.asp|archive-date=9 March 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/scottishschoolsonline/schools/wallacehighschoolstirling.asp|title=Wallace High School|publisher=Learning and Teaching Scotland|access-date=4 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309074832/http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/scottishschoolsonline/schools/wallacehighschoolstirling.asp|archive-date=9 March 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/scottishschoolsonline/schools/bannockburnhighschoolstirling.asp|title=Bannockburn High School|publisher=Learning and Teaching Scotland|access-date=4 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309050703/http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/scottishschoolsonline/schools/bannockburnhighschoolstirling.asp|archive-date=9 March 2011|url-status=dead}} All the city's secondary school premises have been redeveloped as a result of a Public-private partnership scheme. Stirling also has a Gaelic-medium unit situated in the city's Riverside Primary School which teaches pupils from across Stirling and Clackmannanshire through the medium of Scottish Gaelic.{{cite web|url=http://cnp-cs.co.uk/Gaelic.aspx|title=Riverside Primary School|publisher=Stirling and Clackmannan|access-date=6 February 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813191758/http://cnp-cs.co.uk/Gaelic.aspx|archive-date=13 August 2011}} Queen Victoria School, an agency of the Ministry of Defence, is in Dunblane, near Stirling.{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmdfence/uc1054-ii/ucm102.htm|title=Memorandum from the Ministry of Defence (ESC 40)|publisher=Parliament of the United Kingdom|access-date=2024-10-27|quote=Queen Victoria School is unique in Scotland as a Ministry of Defence Government Agency.}}

• Villeneuve d'Ascq, France{{cite web |title=Stirling to become first UK city in more than 10 years to link with Turkey |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-22063447#:~:text=Stirling%20is%20already%20twinned%20with,Canada%20and%20Obuda%20in%20Hungary. |website=BBC News |access-date=19 December 2020 |date=8 April 2013}}
• Dunedin, Florida, United States
• Óbuda, Hungary
• Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada
• Kecioren, Turkey

• Dorothy Angus, embroidery artist
• Frank and Harold Barnwell, pilots and aircraft designers
• Frank Beattie, footballer
• Alexander Beith, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland
• Billy Bremner, former Leeds and Internationalist footballer
• Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, former Prime Minister
• Gary Caldwell, Former Scotland International footballer and manager
• Steven Caldwell, footballer
• Willie Carson, jockey{{cite web |title=A Sporting Nation - Willie Carson: King of the Derby |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/sportscotland/asportingnation/article/0041/ |access-date=19 December 2020 |website=BBC}}
• Duncan Ferguson, footballer
• Robert Garnock, Covenanter, hanged in Edinburgh
• John Grierson, documentary film pioneer
• James Guthrie, minister and protester
• Michael Hay, lawyer
• Thomas Hamilton, mass murderer responsible for the Dunblane massacre
• Gail Honeyman, novelist{{cite web |title=Scots author wins prize for '˜completely fantastic' first book |url=https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/scots-author-wins-prize-completely-fantastic-first-book-1434181 |website=www.scotsman.com |date=3 January 2018 |access-date=19 December 2020 |language=en}}
• King James VI of Scotland, former resident
• Stephen Kingsley, footballer
• John Joseph Jolly Kyle, pioneer chemist
• Christian Maclagan, Sunday School teacher, antiquarian, early archaeologist and suffragist
• Bill Macnaught, National Librarian of New Zealand, 2011–2020
• Mary, Queen of Scots, former resident
• Mirren Mack, actress
• Muir Mathieson, film music composer
• Lauren Mayberry, musician
• John McAleese, team leader during the SAS assault on the Iranian embassy in May 1980{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/john-mcaleese-leader-of-the-sas-team-that-ended-the-1980-siege-of-the-iranian-embassy-in-london-2345827.html|title=John McAleese: Leader of the SAS team that ended the 1980 siege of the|website=Independent.co.uk |date=29 August 2011 |access-date=29 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209024012/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/john-mcaleese-leader-of-the-sas-team-that-ended-the-1980-siege-of-the-iranian-embassy-in-london-2345827.html|archive-date=9 February 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/story-heroic-scots-born-sas-11265060|title=Story of heroic Scots-born SAS soldier to be turned into Netflix blockbuster|first=Steven|last=Taylor|date=1 October 2017|access-date=10 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110174540/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/story-heroic-scots-born-sas-11265060|archive-date=10 January 2018|url-status=live}}
• Norman McLaren, animation pioneer
• Neil Oliver, television presenter
• John Paton, Victoria Cross recipient
• Patrick Simson, minister respected by James VI
• Anna Sloan, Olympic curler, bronze medalists at the 2014 Winter Olympics{{cite web |title=Anna Sloan from The Gazetteer for Scotland |url=https://www.scottish-places.info/people/famousfirst4557.html |website=www.scottish-places.info |access-date=7 October 2021 |language=en-gb}}
• Kirsty Young, television presenter

The following people and military units have received the Freedom of the City of Stirling.

• George, Duke of York: 29 August 1928.
• Elizabeth, Duchess of York: 29 August 1928.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CKOwaIZxgc| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/1CKOwaIZxgc| archive-date=7 November 2021 | url-status=live|title=Duke And Duchess Of York (1928)|last=British Pathé|date=23 August 2021|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}
• Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh: 1948.
• Lieutenant Colonel Francis William Saunders: 17 July 2008.{{Cite web|last=Dailyrecord.co.uk|date=17 July 2008|title=Stirling honours Colonel Frank|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/stirling-honours-colonel-frank-2764590|access-date=23 July 2020|website=dailyrecord}}
• Irvin Iffla: 3 April 2009.{{Cite news|date=3 April 2009|title=Cricketer given Freedom of City|language=en-GB|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/7981842.stm|access-date=24 July 2020}}
• Sir Andrew Murray: 22 April 2014.{{Cite web|date=22 April 2014|title=Andy Murray given 'freedom of the city' in Stirling|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/andy-murray-given-freedom-of-the-city-in-stirling-9275471.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/andy-murray-given-freedom-of-the-city-in-stirling-9275471.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=24 July 2020|website=The Independent|language=en}}

• The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders: 1947.{{Cite web|title=The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) – Scottish Regiments, 1st Battalion A&SH, National Service, world war time, peace time and active service with the Argylls in Stirling, Cyprus (Limni and Dhekelia), Aden, Libya (Tobruk), Germany (Lemgo), Crete, North Africa, Borneo and Singapore.|url=http://www.theargylls.co.uk/freedoms.php|access-date=24 July 2020|website=www.theargylls.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCIwwrp6lHM| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/rCIwwrp6lHM| archive-date=7 November 2021 | url-status=live|title=PRINCESS ELIZABETH AT STIRLING - (Receives Freedom for herself and Regiment)| date=21 July 2015|via=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr1UFN9NzPw| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/fr1UFN9NzPw| archive-date=7 November 2021 | url-status=live|title=Princess Elizabeth Receives The Freedom Of Stirling (1947)| date=13 April 2014|via=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}
• 43 Squadron RAF: 2005.{{cite web |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/43-squadron-set-city-parade-2758275 |title=43 Squadron set for city parade |last=Morton |first=Donald |date=9 January 2009 |website=The Daily Record |publisher= |access-date=21 August 2021 |quote=}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/43squadron.cfm |title=RAF - 43 Squadron |access-date=8 February 2017 |archive-date=14 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081114163627/http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/43squadron.cfm |url-status=dead }}
• The Royal Regiment of Scotland: 10 March 2012.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-17313686|title=Royal Regiment of Scotland receives freedom of Stirling|date=10 March 2012|work=BBC News}}

• Black Bond
• Lecropt
• List of places in Stirling (district)
• List of places in Scotland
• List of town defences in Scotland

{{Reflist|group="note"}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book | author=Mair, Craig | title=Stirling: The Royal Burgh | publisher=John Donald Publishers | year=1990 | isbn=0-85976-420-6}}

{{Commons category|Stirling, Scotland (city)|Stirling}}

{{Wikivoyage|Stirling}}

• [http://www.stirling.gov.uk Stirling Council Website]
• [https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/ram/mappingthetown_20050824.ram Mapping the Town]: the history of Stirling, presented by Julian Richards (BBC Radio 4) (RealAudio format)
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEPba6PpFAI Video footage of St Ninian's Chapel and Well]
• [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4z6NLizcLmtxpSZ9zph0Bg series of lectures about the history of Stirling by Dr Murray Cook, Stirling Council's archaeologist]

{{UK cities}}

{{Stirling Towns & Villages}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:County towns in Scotland

Category:Cities in Scotland

Category:Royal burghs

Category:Large burghs

Category:Ports and harbours of Scotland

Category:Highland Boundary Fault

Category:Parishes in Stirlingshire