Stirling Castle is one of the largest and most historically important castles in Scotland, located on Castle Hill in Stirling. The hill forms part of an ancient quartz-dolerite formation over 350 million years old. Stirling Castle played a key role in Scotland's Wars of Independence in the late 13th century when King Edward I of England attempted to assert control over Scotland. The castle is said to be haunted by the ghosts of Mary, Queen of Scots' servant, known as the Green Lady, and possibly Mary herself as the Pink Lady.

1. STIRLING CASTLE

2. WHERE IS IT?
•Stirling Castle, located
in Stirling, is one of the
largest and most
important castles, both
historically and
architecturally, in
Scotland.

3. EARLY HISTORY
Castle Hill, on which Stirling Castle is
built, forms part of the Stirling Sill, a
formation of quartz-dolerite around 350
million years old,

4. WARS OF INDEPENDENCE
•Stirling remained a centre of royal administration until the death of Alexander
III in 1286. His passing triggered a succession crisis, with Edward I of England
invited to arbitrate between competing claimants. Edward came north in 1291,
demanding that Stirling, along with the other royal castles, be put under his
control during the arbitration. Edward gave judgement in favour of John Balliol,
hoping he would be a "puppet" ruler, but John refused to obey Edward's
demands. In 1296, Edward invaded Scotland, beginning the Wars of Scottish
Independence, which would last for the next 60 years.

5. FLAG

6. GHOSTS
•The green lady of Stirling Castle is
said to be the ghost of one of Mary,
Queen of Scots servants. Mary
herself has been said to be the
identity of the ghost of a pink lady.