Part 4
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Part 2
Part 1
After visiting the Grand Battery with all its cannons, we walked all along the Wall-walk and enjoyed the amazing views. The Wall-walk was built or improved upon in the early 1700s because of the 1708 Jacobite Rising. Below it lies the River Forth and the town of Stirling.
Looking back at the Grand Battery and out over Stirling from the Wall-Walk |
The Nether Bailey |
Though we didn’t have time to visit it, we looked down onto
the Nether Bailey, a row of stone buildings built a safe distance from the
castle to store gunpowder. These were built around 1810 to the north of the
castle and also contained a guard house. Three of the magazines are surrounded
by a high wall and covered by parabolic vaults in case of explosion. This area was probably also part of the
enclosed early earthwork castle. Experts think the Nether Bailey, before the
construction of the powder magazine, was likely part of the service area of the
castle, containing stables, stores, workshops and royal dog kennels. There is
evidence of two small gates that may have led down from the castle to this
area, but these would not have been the main entrances to this bailey. These
gates were probably blocked in 1689. Today, the Nether Bailey also houses the
tapestry studio where replicas of the unicorn tapestries are being woven. These
tapestries are displayed in the Queen’s Inner Hall.
This appeared to be a little guard room along the Wall-walk, though I could find no info on it. |
Fantastic views down from the Wall-walk |
Above, you can see the King’s Knot, laid out in the 1620s, as part
of the formal pleasure grounds in a field far below.
Looking straight down the outside of the curtain wall from the Wall-walk |
Douglas Gardens and sundial. |
Click on the above photo to enlarge. |
The King's Old Building next to Douglas Gardens |
Douglas Gardens with the Wall-walk and curtain wall behind. |
Vonda
www.vondasinclair.com
7 comments:
Wonderful photos as always, Vonda! Thank you for sharing. :)
I definitely enjoyed that visit! Thanks for taking us along with you.
Thanks for visiting, Gerri and Angelyn!! I'm glad you liked the pics!
Loved the photos, of course. I did want to mention that there is a possibility the Douglas you have mentioned could very well be an ancestor of mine. The Kirkpatricks come from that Clan, and I can imagine knowing some of my Kirkpatrick relatives, it very well could be. :) I have several photos similar to yours. It was a great day we spent there.
Thanks for sharing.
Paisley, How interesting Douglas might be one of your ancestors! Wish I could find that I had some famous ancestors. :) I'm glad you had a wonderful day at Stirling too! Thanks for checking it out.
Wow, amazing pictures, Vonda. Especially the one of the Wallace monument. Imagine looking at that everyday. Thanks for posting!
Thanks so much, Vanessa! That would be an awesome view to see every morning! :)
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