The Bloody Tour


There’s been a murder – join our special tour to find out more about one of the darkest deeds in the castle’s history. During the 1400s powerful jealousies developed between the Stewarts and their most powerful nobles, the Black Douglases. Matters came to a head in February 1452 when William, eighth earl of Douglas was a guest at Stirling Castle.

A guided tour at Stirling Castle

The king, James II, accused William of forming a secret pact with his enemies. A row ensued and the hot-tempered king stabbed the earl. Wounded, but not yet dead, the king’s courtiers finished what their monarch had started in gruesome fashion. The bloody corpse was then dumped outside in the area known to this day as the Douglas Gardens.


Guided Tour

We will be commemorating this murder, and exploring the events which surrounded it, on a guided tour at 11am on Tuesday 22nd February 2011 The tour is included in the entry price to the castle.


Other events

  • Mortar, frost and stonemasons: Find out about the life of a stonemason working on James V’s palace in 1540. February 19 & 20, March 12 & 13.
  • The Queen’s Board: Join the servants of Mary of Guise to learn out about Stewart dining. February 26 & 27.
  • The French Captain 1546: Handle swords and halberds – discover how the royal family was protected from would-be assassins or kidnappers. March 5 & 6.
  • Maids and Mistresses: Meet Lady Margaret Fleming and hear the secrets of the queen’s inner chamber. March 19 and 20.
  • The Lion and the Unicorn: Poet and courtier Sir David Lindsay of the Mount offers handy hints on Renaissance etiquette – and why you don’t clean your teeth on the tablecloth. March 26 & 27.

All performances are included in the castle entry price and can be booked in advance by calling Val Neill on 01786 431 321.