History, Antiquities, &c.—Stirlingsbire was, at the most ancient historical period, included in the territory of the Damnonii. They were subdued by Agricola, A.D. 80, who formed a line of forts through their territory, reaching from the Forth to the Clyde: this line of forts, the Roman general Lolling Urbicus, in the reign of Antoninus Pius, about A.D. 140, connected by a continuous rampart [A ISTONINIIS, WALL or.] The remains of ens of the forts may be seen at Castle-Cary, miles W. from Falkirk, just where the rampart leaves the county. There are some other antiquities referrible perhaps to the Roman period, or to the periods immediately before it. Several of the primi tive monuments, as earthen forts, cairns, and mounds or barrows, are found in Baldemock, Gargunnoek, Dunipace, and other parishes.
Cambuskenneth Abbey, one of the most celebrated in Scotland, was founded, in 1147, by David 1., king of Scotland, on a small peninsula on the north aide of the Forth, a little below Stirling. Of this edifice some ruined walls and the belfry tower still exist. In the invasion of Edward I. Stirling was abandoned by the Scots and occupied by the English (1296). Wallace defeated the English forces, in 1297, at the old bridge of Stirling, at that time a wooden structure. The following year Stirling Castle, which was garrisoned by tho English, was besieged by the Scots, and forced by famine to sur render, in 1299. In 1303 Stirling Castle held out for three mouths against all the efforts of Edward I. in person. It was the last fortress that surrendered in Scotland. In 1314, Stirling Castle, which had been held by the English since 1303, surrendered after the battle of Bannockburn. In 1333 it came into the hands of Edward Ballot, but was retaken, in 1841, by the Scots. The castle was the scene of the assassination of the Earl of Douglas by James II., in 1451. It was the frequent residence of James V. James VI. was crowned at Stirling in 1557, at 13 menthe old ; and during his childhood usually remided here, with his preceptor Buchanan, who wrote here his History of Scotland.' The earls of Angus and Mar, with others concerned in 'the raid et Ituthven,' took possession of Stirling in 1584, hut were FOOD obliged to flee into England. Returning next
year with a considerable force, they occupied the town, and prepared to invest the castle, where the king (James VI.) was, with a very inadequate force. An accommodation took place, and the judicial sentence which had been passed against the fugitive lords was re versed. This transaction is commonly called 'the raid of Stirling.' On the introduction of the New Liturgy, in the reign of Charles I., in 1637, the privy council and the court of session were removed to Stirling ; to which place also General Baillie, who commended the Covenanters, fled after his disastrous defeat at Kilsyth by the Duke of Montrose. The Scotch army retired to Stirling after their defeat by Cromwell at Dunbar, in 1650. Monk, whom Cromwell left behind him, occupied the town soon after, and in a few days forced the castle to surrender.
Of the feudal period there are some remains in the county. Dun trenth Castle, in Strathblano parish, is an extensive ruin. She remains of Colzium Castle crown an eminence near Kilsyth ; and the castle of Almond is a massive ruin between Falkirk and Linlithgow. The ruins of Manuel Priory are near the castle of Almond.
Statistics: Religious Worship and Education.—According to the Returns of the Census in 1851, there were then iu the county 99 places of worship, of which 31 belonged to the Established Church, 21 to the Free Church, 19 to the United Presbyterian Church, 7 to Methodists, 6 to Independents, 5 to Baptists, 4 to Roman Catholics, 2 to Reformed Presbyterians, And 2 to Episcopalians. The total number of sittings provided in 90 of these places of worship was 49,272. Of day schools there were 170, of which 103 were public schools, with 8432 scholars, and 67 private, with 2918 scholars. The number of Sabbath schools was 99, with 8122 scholars, and of evening schools for adults 17, with 415 scholars. There were four literary and scientific institutions with 787 members, and 2200 volumes in their libraries.
Savings Banks.—In 1853 the county possessed three savings banks, at Falkirk, Lennoxtown, and Stirling. The amount owing to depositors ou November 20th, 1853, was 31,102/. 8a. 3d.