Today we used our Historic Scotland Explorer passes to visit Stirling Castle, home of the Stewart Kings of Scotland. The car park was full, but we managed to find a parking spot on the far side of the castle where we parked for free all afternoon! All we had to do was walk up a short, steep incline, and there we were at the gates of the castle!
It is easy to see why this castle played such an important part in the history of Scotland. It is nearly impregnable, with a commanding view of the countryside in every direction. The castle is definitely worth visiting, and there is so much to see. We absorbed a historic timeline in the Castle Exhibition and then joined a guided tour with a kilted guide to learn about the physical layout and more historic detail. Finally, we explored more nooks and crannies on our own, especially in the Palace, with its costumed characters and a recreation of the colorful interior during the reign of King James V, its architect. There were short films, signboards, and displays everywhere. The visitor is well taken care of, no matter how little or how deeply you want to delve.
After Arjan’s emergency dental appointment, which went amazingly smoothly, we came back to our bungalow. I took my camera and walked out to the road to take more pictures of the surrounding area, because we leave tomorrow. If you squint, you can even see Stirling Castle off in the distance!
We had dinner again at L’Angolino’s in Doune. No, it is not our imagination, the food is just as good as our first impression, and the owners, Gerry and Kitty, were just as friendly as last time. Definitely a place to remember for the hospitality of the area.
It is sad to leave our hosts, Fiona and Colin, and our lovely little cottage, but there are more adventures to be had further north!
Photograph © 2016 P.J. Gardner. All rights reserved.