Considered by many to be the grandest of all Scotland's castles. The castle architecture is outstanding, the great Hall and gatehouse of James IV and the marvelous Renaissance Palace of James VI. The palace has strong links with Mary Queen of Scots. She was crowned in the chapel in 1543 and narrowly escaped death by fire in 1566. Her son the future James VI, was baptized here in 1566. Most of the principal buildings of the Castle date from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. A few structures of the fourteenth century remain, while the outer defences fronting the town date from the early eighteenth century. In the 13th Century Edward I's Scottish campaign included a siege on Stirling Castle. Historians recorded that this was where Warwolf, the largest trebuchet believed built, was first used, with devastating effect.
The Castle esplanade (parade ground) has been used as an open-air concert venue for several noted acts, who use the Castle and the surrounding scenery to film "in concert" DVDs. Recent acts include R.E.M., Ocean Colour Scene, Bob Dylan, Wet Wet Wet, and Runrig. The esplanade also hosts the city's hogmanay celebrations.

At the head of Stirlings historic old town off the M9.