Great visit to Stirling Castle - part 2

Stirling Castle - Lower Close, North Gate and Kitchens

We took a day out to visit Stirling Castle - about half an hour's drive from Appletree Cottage.  In the first part we explored the entrance, the Queen Ann Garden and the exhibition.  Going through the main gate we entered the lower square with the medieval Great Hall on the left.  
The Great Hall was the largest of its kind ever built in Scotland - used for feasting, dancing and ceremonial pageants.   
Heated by five huge fireplaces it was completed in 1503 for James IV of Scotland
During refurbishment the Great Hall was hailed in a striking yellow / ochre lime wash.  This is intended to replicate the original covering - the lime to protect the stonework and protect against the elements.  The Great Hall with its bright distinctive colour is clearly visible from several miles away.

The Great Hall and lower square seen through the main gate. Note the slot in the arch for the portcullis

Stirling Castle Lower Square or Outer Close

Passing through the main arch we enter the lower square.  To the left is the royal palace, ahead is the great hall and to the right is the Grand Battery.  An impressive line-up of seven cannons.

---

One gun seems to have its sights set on the distant National Wallace Monument (also worth a visit)

We pass the Great Battery on our left and walk across the Outer Close towards the kitchens and the North Gate.
​

North Gate and Nether Bailey Stirling Castle

As we approach the north gate the kitchen block is on the right in this very Scottish scene

Looking towards the North Gate with the kitchen block above it. This is one of the oldest parts of the castle.

One of our favourite parts of the castle - walking down to the North Gate with the kitchen blocks above it and to the right.  This area has a fantastic Scottish look about it.
The North gate is one of the oldest parts of the castle, built in the thirteen hundreds it leads out to the Nether Bailey.

Looking out of the North Gate towards the Nether Bailey and the north West curtain Wal rampart

The Nether Bailey is one of the least visited parts of the castle our guide tells us.  It is the site of an 1810 gunpowder store, the castle jail house and a tapestry exhibition.  The ramparts are worth a visit - but not for the feint hearted as the drop over the curtain wall is sheer but the views to the west are awesome.

Atop the north west curtain wall rampart looking west towards Appletree Luxury Fully en-suite Self-catering Cottage for eight in Croftamie. The drop on the right hand side is sheer.

We turn about and head back into the castle, stopping at the kitchen block.  Again, one of the oldest parts of the castle the kitchens used to employ a huge staff to cope with banquets and feasting.  A re-enactment of the kitchen atmosphere has been created by the current owners...

A section of the old kitchens

Needing the dough In the bakery

Re-enactment of kitchen activity

Still making the meals

The kitchens must have been a hot dark and cramped place to work.  Especially when the castle was hosting events.  We left the kitchen block back into the open air and onwards to explore the castle further - in part 3.