After much lazing around in the surprisingly pleasant Scottish weather we’re headed south. Tomorrow we leave for Berwick, and after spending 3 days with my Grandfather we head south to London to stay with an unsuspecting Don. And maybe even hunt for jobs…
Today, however, we spent in Stirling. It’s a quaint wee town with it’s famous castle on an imposing crag. There are wonderful views all around, right down to Falkirk and the Firth of Forth, and across the plains and villages all around. It’s well worth a visit, although the Argyll Lodge was overrated and we didn’t even bother with the extortionate rates demanded to climb the National Wallace Memorial. It didn’t look like they had any shortage of takers mind.
Stirling Castle proved to be quite different to many of the others we’ve seen here. There is comparatively little blocked from public view and there are odd staircases everywhere leading to abandoned rooms or ruins. The walls don’t have rails and there’s little of the other additions that most have suffered in the name of saving us from ourselves. The great hall has been completely restored and the palace is stripped back and being excavated at present – it’s impressive enough when empty and will no doubt look stunning when restored (2007).
We also explored the nearby Holyrude Church, a medieval structure which distinguished itself with free entry and lovely stained glass windows. Oh, and an absence of God botherers. Fantastic.
Plus the sun is shining, there’s no wind and the sky is blue – what more can you ask of a Scottish summer?
