Stirling, Scotland
I know the town of Stirling very well! I attended the University of Stirling, where I met my beautiful wife, and graduated before embarking on a teaching career! Dunblane, which is a couple of miles north of Stirling, is also my historic family seat, and my parents, sister and I used to make regular visits from Glasgow to visit relatives when I was a ‘wee lad’!
Within our family, the story is told that my original family name was Stribling, and that one of my ancestors of this name was a high ranking officer in Robert the Bruce’s army during the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314! He, along with other officers, was supposedly given the honour of changing his surname to that of the nearest town, Stirling, after the battle was won! This is a story that has passed down from my great, great aunt, who was interested in genealogy, and had supposedly researched such matters, but I have no evidence of the truth of the story! It is one of those stories that, as a Scot, one hopes is true!
Anyway, enough about my links with the town of Stirling – here are my ‘historical’ photographic offerings for this post!
Stirling Castle – Home of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlander Regiment
Stirling Castle remains the headquarters of the famous Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, although the regiment no longer exists within the British Army. The regimental museum and historic battle honours are housed within the castle.
The Wallace Monument, Stirling – in honour of William Wallace – Scottish Patriot!
The Wallace Monument, which lies to the east of Stirling, is dedicated to the memory of the Scottish Patriot and Hero, William Wallace, and it houses an interactive history of his life, as well as being the home of the Wallace Sword. There is much controversy about whether this sword was ever his, but it has become an important symbol of the man himself.
Statue of Robert the Bruce – King of Scotland at the site of the Battle of Bannockburn (1314)
Bannockburn lies on the southern boundary of the town of Stirling, and the battlefield itself is marked by the above statue and the Bannockburn Heritage Centre, which houses the history of the battle. Bannockburn has a significant place in the history of the Scotland Wars of Independence against the occupying English forces!
Robert the Bruce – King of Scotland
Robert the Bruce – King of Scotland
The history of this period, and its famous characters, is known worldwide and much romanticised by the movie ‘Braveheart’! However fictitious the content of the movie, the people did exist, and there is no doubt that the story of William Wallace (Mel Gibson in the movie) still stirs the heart and soul of every patriotic Scot (including myself)! ‘FREEDOM’!
To finish this post and bring us back to the present time, and to end on a lighter note, here are some photographs of a ‘modern statue’ which I found, totally by chance, in the middle of a minor roundabout near Stirling, surrounded by nothing but fields!
Rhythmic Gymnast
Rhythmic Gymnast 2
Rhythmic Gymnast – in a roundabout surrounded by fields?
She is beautiful, isn’t she? All done with tiny pieces of metal! Sometimes you find the strangest of things in the most unlikely places!
Cheers!
John
Many thanks to:
Xandre Verkes of 'Everything & Nothing. Life!'
Love your photos, John. Of course I am awed by the The Rythmic Gymnast. Beautiful. The Wallace Monument reminds me somewhat of The Shard tower in London. I guess it is the ‘jagged’ top.
Hey Bob – Thanks for the comment! I wonder if they have sold any of the millionaires apartments at the top of the shard? I wouldn’t go anywhere near it to live in! As the tallest building in Europe and way above anything else in London I feel that it is totally vulnerable! There is a viewing area at the top and it costs £20+ to go up!! Might consider that – with my camera of course!
Yeah, if I lived up there, I would probably cut myself. 🙂
Hey Bob – I just about dropped off my seat when I got your joke! Penny wondered why I had suddenly dissolved into raucous laughter! It was great ‘crack’!
Cheers!
John
Wow that statue is quite something. Beautiful form.
I love your photographs, John! The history is very interesting; buildings that old fascinate me.
I wish I had your eye to be able to pick out the fascinating detail in what I see, and photograph that as well, Karen! I’ll keep trying!
Cheers!
John