Scots Country

Today was a day spent in the land of Scots heroes Rob Roy, Robert the Bruce and William Wallace, taking in the magnificent splendour of the medieval stronghold of Stirling Castle and the beautiful nature and forests of Scotland’s first National Park of Loch Lomond.

Stirling Castle, is one of the largest and most important castles, both historically and architecturally, in Scotland. Several Scottish Kings and Queens have been crowned at Stirling, including Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1542. There have been at least eight sieges of Stirling Castle, including several during the Wars of Scottish Independence, with the last being in 1746.

I'm sure most of you have seen Braveheart? Well, The Battle of Stirling Bridge was the battle of the First War of Scottish Independence. On 11 September 1297, the forces of Andrew Moray and William Wallace defeated English forces on the River Forth.

After exploring the castle I sat and had some Scottish shortbread and a mocha in the castle cafe. A delicious way to avoid the deteriorating weather! The bad weather accompanied us for the rest of the day, but I still managed to enjoy the scenery and a short walk along Loch Lomond.

Fortunately by the time we got back to Edinburgh the rain had stopped, so I collected my backpack and headed to the closest cinema to kill time before my bus ride home. I saw Divergent which was an enjoyable way to spend two hours. Also when you ask for popcorn here they ask "sweet or salty?" Umm, salty you maniacs! Sweet popcorn shouldn't be a thing in my opinion!