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Broad St at the heart of Stirling's Old Town on a rare snowy day
This article is about the Scottish city. For other Stirlings see Stirling (disambiguation).
Stirling is a city in central Scotland, in the district of
Stirling.
Stirling is an ancient town, clustered around a large castle and medieval old-town. It is a centre for government, retail, and
light industry. Its population (as of the 2001 census) was 78,833. A former capital of
Scotland, Stirling was known as a Royal Burgh until 2002 when, as part of Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee,
Stirling was granted city status.
Stirling has been strategically significant since at least the Roman
occupation of Britain, due to its easily defensible hill (latterly the
site of Stirling Castle) and its commanding position beside the
River Forth. A ford, and later bridge, of the river at Stirling brought the
city wealth and influence, as did its port. 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 town motto, which was adopted in 1296, is:
- The Britons stand by force of arms
- The Scots are by this cross preserved from harms
- The Castle & Bridge of Stirling town
- Are in the compass of this seal set down.
Stirling Castle (Southwest aspect)
Famous residents include Mary, Queen of Scots, King James VI of Scotland, Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman (former British Prime Minister).
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