Pictures of Stirling Town #1

**McClef** · 3rd March 07, 05:06 PM

After the castle you walk down a fairly steep hill into the town and here a some pictures of what you see on the way.

The back of the Church of the Holy Rude (yes it's spelt that way!) where the infant James VI was crowned.

The tower at the front.

The church was supposed to be open but it wasn't so I expect I missed out on some glorious stained glass.

The house opposite, presumably the Manse.

The castellated entrance to the old town jail.

These and other pictures can also be viewed at www.fotothing.com/cleftref

**ccga3359** · 3rd March 07, 05:23 PM

I see that cleftref has nicked your pics again. Wonderful photo tour yet again. I am making notes and planning to storm the castle at midnight. Just curious but do they leave the gates open at night?

**McClef** · 3rd March 07, 05:32 PM

That's my fotothing nick!

I don't know if they are closed these days or not, I expect so.

Bill, our guide (who served in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and was based at Stirling) told me that in the days when it was a barracks they closed the gates at midnight. Soldiers returning from leave had 10 minutes to get up to the castle from the station if they arrived on the last train which got in at 23.50. Soldiers who arrived after the gates closed could be in danger of a charge of AWOL.

That was a feat in itself but if the train was late even more of one! There was a system for letting ropes down at a certain point for soldiers to climb up and sneak in, but it was certainly unofficial!