Pictures of Castles
Stirling Castle...
Stirling Castle housed many of the Kings and Queens of Scotland. Some good, some bad. It is a beautiful Castle sitting on top of a hill overlooking its vast scenery that surrounds it.
Stirling Castle, Stirling, was the site of the murder of William, 8th Earl of Douglas by King James II
in 1452. Douglas, invited to dine at the castle under safe conduct from the King, was accused of
conspiracy in his dealings with the Yorkists in England and through a band made between Douglas,
the Earl of Crawford and the Lord of the Isles. Upon Douglas' refusal to repudiate the band and
reaffirm his loyalty to James II, the King drew his dagger and stabbed Douglas in the throat. The
King's Captain of the Guard then finished off the Earl with a pole axe. The body was thrown from
the window into a garden below, where it was later given burial. A stained glass window bearing the
Douglas Arms now overlooks "Douglas Garden."
It was also the location of the Battle of Stirling Bridge, where Sir William Wallace defeated the English Army in 1297.
Edinburgh Castle...
Edinburgh Castle was another great and glorious castle. It to was rich with Scotish pride and history. In mist of battle now and then. The black dinner was held here. Sir William Crichton and Sir Alexander Livingston both keepers of Edinburgh and Stirling feuded vigoriously for many years. The both of them realizing the power of the Douglases, joined together in a plot against William Douglas and his brother David. They invited the two to dine with young King James. The Douglases accepted and in some part of dinner a great dish was brought in and set in front of William Douglas. When it was presented, it beared a bull's head- a recognised symbol of doom. The two Douglases were siezed, tried and beheaded, which gave it the name...The Black Dinner.
Another story I read was about the Honours of Scotland, and where they finally ended up. The Honours were three things, the crown, sceptre, and the sword of state. It was passed king to king, no one really caring one way or the other about them. Finally they were smuggled from Dunnottar Castle, hidden in the floor of a church, and then ended up at Edinburgh Castle. They were hidden there til one day Walter Scott found them hidden in a chest, and put them on show in what is called The Crown Room of Edinburgh.
Castle Campbell...
Castle Campbell was built in the late 15th century and is located in Dollar, Clackmannanshire.
Urquhart Castle...
Urquhart castle sure has had its history. It was built on the edge of Loch Ness, the loch well known for its stories of Nessie the Loch Ness monster. Urquhart was tossed from English hands to Scottish, back to English. When eventually in 1691 it was destroyed to prevent it becoming a Jacobite stonghold. I even read a story of Robert the Bruce and how he regained Urquhart back from the English. This was the time in history that he had lost his crown and had to go into hiding for fear of his life. During this time he was building an army and winning his people back that lost heart in their country. He fought several small fights and battles gaining land and riches for Scotland that England stole from them. In this one story half his army went out to regain hold of Urquhart. Robert the Bruce and a few of his Lords went by boat to the gates of the castle, and called for the keeper of the castle. When the keeper of the castle came out, Robert demanded his castle back. The Keeper argued the point with Robert, but he insisted that the keeper would vacate the castle at once. Robert the Bruce told the keeper that if he did not give up the castle he would have to face his army and that they would have to take it by force. The keeper of the castle looked at Roberts army and laughed for it was only half. The other half was many miles away far from the castles gate. Robert bluffed the keeper and said that the other half of his army was in hiding in the hills above and that they were waiting for his signal to join him in battle if need be. The keeper, fearing for his life and well being gave up the castle peacefully and with out bloodshed. This is one of my favorite stories concerning Robert the Bruce, and how he was very wise and cunning in out smarting his enemies.
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