As the castle’s summer season gets into full swing here our esplanade begins to feel the strain of the demand for parking. In fact we frequently have to close it through lack of space, which can be inconvenient to visitors. Thankfully we have our park and ride in operation through June, July and August. I use it every day. No queues, no hassle, just plenty of safe and secure parking near the M9 at Junction 10, and a five minute bus run to the castle. 

 On my journey up this morning I started thinking about how many visitors ever wonder about the history of the esplanade. In 1809 the magistrates of the burgh of Stirling granted the ground in front of the castle to the government. At that time it was an area of steep and irregular rocks. The ordinance store keeper and members of the garrison leveled the ground, using gunpowder, then built strong stone walls around the edge, providing a parade ground with enough space for maneuvering 500 soldiers.

 On the 11th May 1910 the new king, George V, was proclaimed at traditional locations, one of which was the esplanade. In 1914 huts were erected on the esplanade to house volunteers waiting to enlist for the Great War. Later the huts were used to house a Canadian lumberjack battalion whose task was to provide timber for the war effort.

 Over the 20th century many changes have taken place. The militia stores near the portcullis were demolished, the railings around the Bruce statue removed, and the area was resurfaced replacing cobblestones with the grass and tarmac we see today. In 1971 the 18th-century Castle Hotel was converted, and we now use it as our Clan Shop and ticket centre.

 So when you next visit the castle stop for a moment and look at the esplanade. There’s a lot of history under that tarmac and tyres.

By Gary D’Arcy, Senior Steward