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31 January 2012
Stirling Castle’s past is full of surprises – the latest is that it may have been home to Britain’s first proper horse-drawn carriage...
Points Of Interest Map
With so much to see, look for points of interest in our interactive map of Stirling Castle.
The Stirling Heads
The Stirling Heads were dispersed after the Palace ceilings were taken down in 1777. Some were lost, but most have been gathered, and are now displayed in a gallery on the upper floor of the Palace.
The Original Carvings
After experiencing the amazing richness of the painted replica Heads in the King’s Inner Hall, visitors can go upstairs to see the originals on which they were based. These have been assembled from numerous sources, including private collections, and painstakingly conserved.
The 16th-century carvings are now unpainted, but a few traces of paint have been found on them. They were almost certainly painted in bright colours, like the replicas downstairs.
The 16th-century carvings are now unpainted, but a few traces of paint have been found on them. They were almost certainly painted in bright colours, like the replicas downstairs.
James V - one of three Stirling Heads on loan courtesy of the Trustees of the National Museums Scotland
Subjects & Themes
The original Stirling Heads can be divided into several categories, and are displayed by subject:
- Royalty and right to rule
There are Heads depicting James V’s first wife Madeleine, his father James IV, his great-great grandfather James I and his mother Margaret Tudor. His powerful ally Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor is also depicted. - Worthies
The Worthies were illustrious figures from the Bible, history and myth, considered paragons of chivalric heroism. As well as nine male Worthies, there was a less determinate number of female Worthies. Both groups are represented among the Heads. - Ancient Rome
Several Roman emperors are depicted on the Heads. Two have been identified as Julius Caesar and Titus. Others may include Trajan, Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius. - Courtiers and costume
James and Mary prided themselves on the sophistication of their court, and some of the Heads are thought to show their fashionable courtiers, as well as the Jester. - Hercules
The demigod Hercules was a virtuous hero of the Classical world. He is depicted on no fewer than four Heads.
Four of the carvings in the exhibition were once believed to be fragments of Stirling Heads. They are now thought to have been part of the Palace’s panelling.
Lost Forever
We cannot be sure how many Stirling Heads there were originally. Some accounts suggest they covered more than one ceiling in the Palace. We do know that 34 have survived. We also know that two were lost in a fire of 1940. Sadly these were both important Heads, featuring Mary of Guise and Henry VIII.
Accurate replicas of these two Heads have been produced, based on illustrations by Jane Graham, wife of the castle’s deputy governor. They were published in a book called Lacunar Strevelinense in 1817. The book can be seen in the exhibition.
Accurate replicas of these two Heads have been produced, based on illustrations by Jane Graham, wife of the castle’s deputy governor. They were published in a book called Lacunar Strevelinense in 1817. The book can be seen in the exhibition.
