Two of the most impressive and picturesque castles of the world are in
Scotland,--Stirling Castle and Edinburgh Castle.
Stirling Castle is situated on the Firth of Forth about thirty-five
miles above Edinburgh, and it was for years the favorite residence
of Scottish sovereigns. It played a prominent part in the history of
Scotland, and is intimately associated with the name of Robert Bruce,
who recaptured the castle from Edward the Second of England, in the
fourteenth century, after the battle of Bannockburn.
The castle, like that of Edinburgh, is situated on a lofty height. On
the esplanade before it stands a statue of Robert Bruce. The view from
all sides is beautiful, and commands, on the west, a fair range of
mountains, including Ben Lomond and Ben Venue, while on the south the
battlefield of Bannockburn stretches away before the eye.
[Illustration: EDINBURGH CASTLE
_One of the most beautiful and impressive castles in Great Britain._]
Edinburgh Castle, an ancient seat of Scottish kings, has a most
magnificent situation on a rocky height above the city. On three sides
the mountain on which it stands drops almost sheer. On the east it
slopes gradually off toward Holyrood.