Dr Murray Cook and Dominic Farrugia uncover the secrets of Stirling’s historic burgh wall, from its strategic construction in the 16th century to its sur vival amidst changing landscapes
Archaeology is of course the study of the past through the objects and structures left behind.
Sometimes discoveries come from the turn of a spade or even a page but just occasionally from turning a corner on a winter’s walk.
The royal burgh of Stirling was established in around 1124 by David I to help secure the Forth crossings and to bind the newly acquired southern Scotland to its older core to the north. The importance of Stirling to Scotland is reflected by its burgh walls, which are famously the best preserved in the country. They were designed and built in a rush in 1547-8 to prevent Protector Somerset, England’s regent following the death of Henry VIII, from forcing the infant Mary, queen of Scots to marry Henry’s heir, Prince Edward. While the wall was only built on the south of the city, the north was protected by Stirling Bridge, with two bridge gates and a network of deep drains and bogs and, of course, the River Forth. The only section of
