STIRLING, a market, t. river-port, and royal, parliamentary, and municipal burg, capital of the county of the same name, stands on the s. bank of the Forth, 29 in. n.e. of Glasgow by railroad. Like Edinburgh, to which city it bears, in its main features, a striking resemblance, it no doubt owes its origin to the strong natural fortress of its Castle Hill. From this hill, covering the declivity which slopes n. and eastward to the plain, extends the oldest part of the town, around which are numerous streets; while many villas have risen in the environs. The Castle Hill, which rises grad ually from the e., and fronts the w, with a steep, precipitous wall of basaltic rock, over looks the beautiful and fertile cease, or flat, which lies along the banks of the Forth. Among the more prominent public buildings and institutions are the East and West Churches—the former erected by James IV. about 1494, the latter built at a later period; and "Mar's Work," an incomplete structure, built by the earl of Mar, regent of Scot land, who died in 1572, when the building was in progress. This architectural fragment is richly ornamented. In the more ancient quarters, one or two pleasing specimens of old Scotch domestic architecture may still be seen. Of these " Argyle's Lodging," with its pinnaeled rountl towers and decorated windows, is the chief. It is now used as a mili tary hospital. The town-house is surmounted with a spire, and has the old jail attached. It contains the jug or standard of dry measure which was given to the keeping of Stir ling by the Scottish parliament; while Linlithgow is said to have received the firlot; Edinburgh, the ell, etc. The new jail is a handsome building. Cowan's hospital, founded in 1639, is an object of interest. There are also an atheneum, corn exchange, and numerous excellent schools. A magnificent art institute, called the Smith institute, in honor of the founder, was opened in 1874. The importance of Stirling in early times was due to its situation and its defenses. At the head of the navigation of the Forth, when there were no regular ferries, Stirling was the key to the Highlands, and the pos session of its strength and its means of communication between n. and s. was of the greatest importance. The town, besides, was strongly fortified by both nature and art. The ancient bridge of Stirling, the age of which is unknown, but which was in existence in 1571, is composed of four arches, and was defended at each end by gates and towers.
This bridge was, until quite recent years, the only one by which wheeled carriages could cross the Forth. Vessels of 150 tons can reach the port of Stirling, but its commerce by river is now of less importance than before the days of railroads. Stirling is a cen tral railroad station, and the means of communication in every direction are ready and abundant. The rich agricultural, mining and manufacturing districts around are to a great extent the basis of the prosperity of the town itself. Manufactures of ropes, malt, leather, soap, and mineral oils are carried on. The town unites with the Dunfermline burgs in sending a member to the house of commons. Pop. '71 of parl. burgh, 14,279; of town, 10,873.
Stirling (formerly Strynelyne, or Estriveli-n) is one of the most ancient and historically Important towns of Scotland. it is of unknown antiquity; and there is no record from which the date of the foundation of.even the castle can be determined. It must have been a frontier fortress from the earliest times. Alexander I: died in the castle in 1124. In the vicinity, the battle of Stirling was fought in 1297. See WALLACE. The town was taken by Edward I., after a siege of three months, in 1304. In the vicinity, at Ban nockburn (q.v.), the famous battle of that name was fought in 1314. The castle was the hirthplade of James II. and of James V. James Ill. built the parliament house in the castle, and otherwise improved and embellished the fortress. James V. built the palace, the walls of which are profusely covered with grotesque ornamentation. In the older part of the castle is the "Douglas Room," in which William, earl of Douglas, was as sassinated by James II. In 1651, after the battle of Dunbar, the castle was taken by Monk; and it withstood a siege by the Highlanders in 1745. The view from the towers. of Stirling castle is unsurpassed in beauty. Westward, the rich vale of Menteith streaches away to the Highlands, where Ben Lomond, Ben Venue, Ben A'an, and Ben Ledi close the scene. The glittering "links" of Forth are seen in the carse of Stirling, surrounded by fertile fields and luxuriant woods; the Abbey Craig, crowned by the Wal lace monument, rises boldly on the n. ; while on the e. are seen the picturesque ruins of Cambuskenneth Abby.