4 Stirling Castle

Stirling castle represent a symbol of the strong Scottish mind around the world. It is set in the very heart  of Scotland, standing high on a sharp rock. For ages, its spectacular position allowed its inhabitants to control the comings and goings across Scotland. Since the 12^th century, kings and queens like to spend time at Stirling castle, but this fortress has also been useful during war time.

Hest important moment of the history of Stirling castle starts at the end of the 13th century. The accidental death of king Alexander the 3^rd led the country to a crisis. The king of England, Edward the 1rst, was asked to choose the new ruler of Scotland. He chose John Balliol. But when Balliol refused to help Edward in his war against France in 1295, the English king started a punitive strike against Scotland, and Stirling castle was lost.

But at the end of 1297, the Scottish army, led by William Wallace and Andrew Murray took position ob Abbey Craig, a mountain that overhangs Stirling, and its only bridge, across the river Forth. They waited there for days, knowing well that the English troops had to cross the bridge one day or another. Finally, on September the 11^th, they attacked. The English cavalry was having a hard time crossing the narrow bridge they the Scottish troops swooped down on them. Most of them died within minutes.

This story has been told in 1995 thanks to the Hollywood movie “Braveheart”, which devotes itself to showing the bravery of William Wallace. Though fictionalized, this portrait is considered to be accurate.