Stirling Castle

As you can see from the picture on the right Stirling Castle is situated strategically on a volcanic crag high above Stirling. The castle is often confused with Edinburgh Castle as its similar in appearance and topographical location. They both had similar functions during the ages which ensured that Stirling was always at the hub of Scotland's Struggle for independence. Although Stirling isn't Scotland's Capital now, this does not diminish Stirling Castle's importance all the way through history, as it once housed many of Scotland's Kings and Queens. The earliest King on record being early in the 12th century with the Canmore dynasty of kings, and later Alexander I, who was the first King to be associated with Stirling Castle also died there in 1124.
In 1174 the castle was handed over to King Henry II of England as part payment for the release of William the Lion who had been captured in a previous conflict. Howeverr by 1189 the Castle was returned to Scottish control.
The appearance of the castle is unknown at this time, but it is though that it was made of timber. The first missionary foundations were in 1287, though it still didn't look like as it is presently.
Stirling Castle being one of Scotlands most important Castles ensured that Stirling was always involved in the continual battle with the English over Scotland's throne. Over the next half century there were many battles with the English, one of the more famous was the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 with William Wallace and Andrew Moray, but a year later the Stirling Castle was back in English control.
However the gains made by King Edward I of England were lost by his son Edward II, by 1313 Stirling Castle was one of a few castles left in English control. The following year under the leadership of King Robert I ( Robert the Bruce ) the Scots won the Battle of Bannockburn as the English tried to relieve their garrison at Stirling Castle.
During the following centuries, Stirling and Stirling Castle continued to play an important role in Scotland's medieval history, in fact Stirling Castle remained a regimental depot all the way up to 1964.