Stirling Castle and William Wallace - Braveheart!

Today was Braveheart Day. Our journey through the countryside took us through the town of Callader, which we will visit later, and onward to Stirling. Stirling is pretty important in Scottish...and British history. For the movie fans...think of Braveheart....a bit gorey but that is how they fought battles back in the day.
Stirling Castle sits on the first down-river crossing location on the River Forth, so it was important when you try to conquer a country. From the castle, which is high on a hill, you have great views in all directions. Those views captured my imagination for the day.

Stirling Castle has a long history, with most of the buildings dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Though many kings and queens have been crowned here, the most famous was Mary Queen of Scots in 1543. The castle has been under siege at least eight times, with the most famous being during the War for Scottish Independence when Bonnie Prince Charlie tried unsuccessfully to take the castle.

The approact to the castle from the parking lot.

The Kings of the Hill.

Prison life here is not like American prisons.

The Costume room....there were great interactive exhibits throughout the castle.

The little princess.....or perhaps Mary Queen of Scots?

A royal family......of sorts.

The royal kitchen 

Digging for their dinner, perhaps.....or for hidden treasure?

It is time to think....outside the box.

There is a reason these girls are looking up. This is in the royal chambers....where little James played s a child.

These are the ceiling panels. They are called The Stirling Heads

 The ones on the ceiling are replicas, but the originals are on display in the Stirling Gallery. A lot of the castle was built during the Renaissance period and the heads have Renaissance influence. After the ceilings were taken down in 1777, the heads were dispersed here and there. Around 34 of the originals have now been recovered and though they no longer have paint on them, you can still see the amazing carvings. They are considered to be a national treasure.

The girls always seem to have a grand time in the gift shops.


If you want to learn more about Stirling Castle, then check out
the Stirling Castle Experience and
enjoy some of the interactive activities. 

William Wallace - one of the important figures in the battles for Stirling Castle

The view from the castle. Look toward the mountain range in the center of the photo and you can see a large monument. This is the Wallace Monument....huge! The town of Stirling sits at the base of the hill.

Stirling Bridge - it does not look like anything so grand, but was pretty important when trying to take the castle.

This is the Wallace Monument which has stood proudly for 140 years to mark the victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge and Sir William Wallace.

Just for fun, we thought to add the local high school, named for none other than....Sir William Wallace.

The trip to Stirling Castle was a wonderful one. There was so much more to take in than is posted here. When we think about our castles, or mansions, in Heaven...this is not what I think of....although I had never particularly thought of the views ....and now perhaps I will. It was incredible to stand at the castle wall...on any and all sides of the castle...and just look into the distance and see the town below, and the beauty for as far as the eye could see....even on a misty day.    
The Bible tells us that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and the wealth of every land...looking out and thinking about old King James and others who thought they owned it all, makes it seem so little in the grand scope of the size of our earth. Their reigns, though long for some, were just a vapor in the scope of history.
To think that God really does own it all...and yet still cares so much about little olde me.....it is hard to grasp. I could see the town below, but not the people, yet God sees me...my coming and my going....and knows my thoughts too.
Truly, so hard to fathom, much less understand.
That is where faith steps in. You either have to believe it, or not.
and yes
I Believe!