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STIRLING.

In the eastern part of the county, twelve miles from Falkirk, thirty-five from Edinburgh, and twentyeight from Glasgow, says Mr. Chambers, the ancient royal burgh of Stirling occupies a conspicuous site on a rising ground, immediately overlooking the river Forth, being surrounded in all directions by a beautiful tract of level country, which is bounded to the north and west by the Highland hills. The central and original part of the town bears an appearance rather unique than elegant, but there are several good streets, and a great profusion of neat villas in the outskirts. The higher ground, towards the west, is crowned by the far-famed Stirling Castle, and the whole bears a striking resemblance, though somewhat in miniature, to the old town and Castle of Edinburgh.

The natural strength of the rock on which the Castle is situated, and its position at the only point of easy land communication between the northern and southern parts of the kingdom, seems to have rendered this place a seat of population, from the earliest periods of our history. The time when there was no Stirling Castle, is not known in Scottish annals. At the end of the twelfth century, it was one of the four principal fortresses in Scotland.

The Castle, perched on the summit of a rocky emi

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STIRLING.

In the eastern part of the county, twelve miles from Falkirk, thirty-five from Edinburgh, and twentyeight from Glasgow, says Mr. Chambers, the ancient royal burgh of Stirling occupies a conspicuous site on a rising ground, immediately overlooking the river Forth, being surrounded in all directions by a beautiful tract of level country, which is bounded to the north and west by the Highland hills. The central and original part of the town bears an appearance rather unique than elegant, but there are several good streets, and a great profusion of neat villas in the outskirts. The higher ground, towards the west, is crowned by the far-famed Stirling Castle, and the whole bears a striking resemblance, though somewhat in miniature, to the old town and Castle of Edinburgh.

The natural strength of the rock on which the Castle is situated, and its position at the only point of easy land communication between the northern and southern parts of the kingdom, seems to have rendered this place a seat of population, from the earliest periods of our history. The time when there was no Stirling Castle, is not known in Scottish annals. At the end of the twelfth century, it was one of the four principal fortresses in Scotland.

The Castle, perched on the summit of a rocky emi

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