City’s military manoeuvres

Stirling is associated with two of the most notable names and battles in Scottish history - William Wallace and the Battle of Stirling Bridge and Robert the Bruce and the Battle of Bannockburn.

But its military history stretches back to when the Romans invaded Scotland and a new book by Gregor Stewart charts the topic back as far as 4000 years ago, looking at some of the buildings and monuments which still play an important role in its past.

“Stirling’s Military Heritage” looks at the city’s position on the Forth and a low crossing point which made it an important location for invaders from the south and defenders from the north.

During the Roman invasion, they formed a line of fortresses as their first boundary just north of Stirling. A Roman road cuts through the city and it became a road used by every military force to invade Scotland.

A castle has existed in Stirling since the 12th century and during the Wars of Independence, control of Stirling and its castle was much fought over.

After the Union of the Crown in 1603, Stirling Castle’s role as a royal residence declined, and instead it became a centre for the military. The Jacobite forces failed to take the castle in 1746, and by the 1800s the castle was adapted to create barracks and training facilities.

Today, reminders of the military importance of Stirling can be found all around the town.

The battle sites and castle are popular tourist attractions and the castle remains the headquarters of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the annual Armed Forces Day is recognised as one of the main military events in Scotland.

Author Gregor said: “Throughout the book I hope to take the reader through some of the key points in history which had the greatest effect on Stirling and the surrounding area, explaining the reasons behind the conflicts and impact on not just the region, but on a national scale.

“My intention is to hopefully demonstrate to the reader why it was frequently said, ‘He who holds Stirling, holds Scotland.’”

New book by Gregor Stewart looks at Stirling’s military past and explains why it was often said‘He who holds Stirling, holds Scotland’

He who holds Stirling holds Scotland Stirling Castle was captured by Edward I in early 1300s and its siege by the Scots led to the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 ■Stirling’s Military Heritage, price £14.99, is now on sale.

Regal Robert the Bruce statue at Borestone

Religious Cambuskenneth Abbey is the final resting place of James III and his queen, Margaret of Denmark

History crowned Church of the Holy Rude where James VI was Oldest resident? Bones uncovered in Stirling in the late 19th century were identified as being more than 4000 years old - and then nicknamed‘Torbrex Tam’after work by Stirling archaeologist Murray Cook, Michael McGinnes of Stirling’s Smith Art Gallery and Museum and Dundee University forensic art and facial identification graduate Emily McCulloch Battle The Old Bridge at Stirling close to the famous victory for William Wallace. Photo by Katy Whitelaw Fitting The Wallace Monument overlooks the site of the patriot’s victory over the English at Stirling Bridge in 1297