This was one castle that had been restored to nearly full working order. The place was beautiful. Could well imagine having a big banquet and party there! It says above: The volcanic rock, which may well have been fortified since pre-historic times, is at one of the most strategically significant location in the Scottish kingdom. Throughout the middle and the perod of the renaissance, Stirling was one of the most important royal castles. The core of what is now to been seen is a group of Buildings that provided a setting for the royal court of Stewart Scotland at its most brilliant period in the reigns of James IV, James V Mary Queen of Scots and James VI.