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A city and ancient burgh, in the Stirling area of Scotland. The city is clustered
around a large castle and medieval town. It is a centre for government, retail,
and light industry. Its population is around 42,000, making it the smallest city
in Scotland.
Industry
Stirling was a market town with a large agricultural market that was held in the
town. Today, agriculture still plays a part in the economic life of Stirling, Its
location as the focus of transport and communications in the region, has developed
a substantial retail sector. This has been augmented by out-of-town developments
such as the Springkerse Retail Park on the city bypass to the east of Stirling.
Financial services as well as tourism are the biggest employers in the service sector.
The presence of such historical monuments as Stirling Castle, the National Wallace
Monument and the key role which Stirling has played in Scottish history, as well
as the scenery of the area, has ensured Stirling's position as a major tourist destination.
There is a wide range of accomodation available including bed and breakfast, hotel
accommodation, self catering, guest house, cottage, camping and caravan sites.
Geography
Stirling is called the Gateway to the Highlands and occupies a strategic position
at the point where the Scottish Lowlands meet the rugged slopes of the Highlands.
The land surrounding Stirling has been created by glacial erosion and deposition.
The city itself has grown up around its castle which stands atop an ancient volcanic
plug in a major defensive position. Stirling stands on the River Forth at the point
where the river widens and becomes tidal. To the east of the city the Ochil Hills
dominate the skyline with the highest peaks in the range being Dumyat and Ben Cleuch.
The climate of Stirling is warm with unstable air from the Atlantic Ocean on a prevailing
southwesterly wind.
History
Originally a Stone Age Settlement, Stirling has been strategically significant since
at least the Roman occupation of part of Britain, due to its easily defensible hill
A ford, and later bridge, of the river at Stirling brought wealth and influence.
The town was chartered as a royal burgh by King David in the 12th century. Major
battles in Scotland's long conflict with England took place at the Stirling Bridge
in 1297 and at the nearby village of Bannockburn in 1314. The Church of the Holy
Rude, which was rebuilt in the 1400s, is the only surviving church in the United
Kingdom apart from Westminster Abbey, to have held a coronation. In January 1746,
the army of Bonnie Prince Charlie seized control of the town but failed to take
the Castle. On their consequent retreat northwards, they blew up the church of St.
Ninians where they had been storing munitions; only the tower survived and can be
seen to this day. Economically, the River Forth port facilities at Riverside supported
trade, including tea trade with India and timber trade with the Baltic. The coming
of the railways started the decline of the river trade. By the mid 20th century
the port had ceased to operate.
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