Stirling Castle and the Top of the Town Multi-Cache

This cache has been archived.

robertburnsandpeigi: It has gone

More
Hidden : 3/23/2009
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works
Looking for a different adventure?

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

A fairly short Multi around Stirling Castle.

Normally I wouldn't place a film container for a multi as I think finders deserve a bigger box. I have made an exception in this case to keep the total walk within easy reach of the castle. There are no hiding places for big boxes on this route.

There are plaques on the wall which will give the history and information about each stop. You will also find the answers to each question on these plaques.

I have said this is wheelchair accessible. It is hilly but manageable.


free counters


S1. Start at the esplanade and enjoy the views over to the Wallace Monument. The best viewpoint is beside the statue of Robert the Bruce.
During a long and bloody history Stirling Castle has been attacked or besieged at least 16 times. Three battles have been fought in its immediate vicinity, two of which were turning points in Scottish history: and a fourth equally important battle took place just a few miles to the north.
A number of Scottish Kings and Queens have been baptised, or crowned, or died within or near Stirling Castle. At least one King was murdered nearby: while another committed murder within its walls.
Now make your way to the starting co-ordinates beside the Argyll and Sutherland statue.

Question - Subtract the start date from the end date of the South African War. Answer A.

S2. Make your way downhill to the Old Grammar School.

Question - This was replaced by the High School in 185? Answer B.

S3. Argyll's Lodging.
Architectural experts describe Argyll's Lodging as the finest and most complete surviving 17th century town house in Scotland. Although the Earls (later Dukes) of Argyll, the chiefs of the clan Campbell, had their centre of power in the west at Inveraray, they nevertheless established a number of homes in various parts of central Scotland. Since Stirling Castle was frequently a royal residence, it was convenient for noblemen.

No question here.

S4. Mar's Wark.
Like Argyll's Lodging, this building was started in the 1570's . The Earl of Mar was one of the richest and most powerful men in Scotland. He was elected Guardian of the infant King James VI of Scotland, Regent of Scotland and Governor of Stirling Castle. The richly carved frontage displays the Royal Arms above the archway and the arms of the Regent Mar and his Countess on the towers.
The Earl of Mar lived in the building until the end of the 17th Century. Later it was repaired to house soldiers and in the 1730's the town council made plans to convert it into a workhouse, hence the name Mar's Wark.

Question - The Earl of Mar was Regent of Scotland from 157? until his death in 1572. Answer C.

S5. The Church of the Holy Rude.
The first church on this site was built in the 12th Century. The oldest part standing today is the section adjoining the tower which dates from the 15th Century. Inside the church each local craft guild maintained an altar to its Patron Saint. Some wealthy burgesses built their own private chapels but only the chapel built for St. Andrew remains.
Mary, Queen of Scots, worshipped in the Holy Rude. John Knox preached here and James VI was crowned here. There are many interesting features to discover in the building and indicating its checkered history. In 1656, following a dispute, the congregation divided the church into two, each with its own minister. The dividing wall was only removed in 1936. In the graveyard, the graves of merchants and traders are carved with signs and symbols of their craft or trade.

Question - King James the 6th was crowned in 15?7 Answer D.

S6. The Old Town Jail.
Stirling Old Town Jail stands at the heart of the city's historic quarter. If the outside was forbidding and grim - then it didn't get any better inside.
The Victorian reformers practised what they preached - which wasn't exactly comforting for the inmates. Coarse food; a dress of shame; hard, incessant, irksome labour; a planned and regulated and unrelenting exclusion of happiness and comfort was their prescription for the unfortunate souls detained within these walls.

Question - One cell held 2? prisoners. Answer E.

S7. The Merkat Cross.
Stirling became a Royal Burgh around 1124 and the Old Town started to develop below the castle. In the 15th and 16th Centuries, the Stuart monarchs held court in Stirling and rich merchants built their houses here.The Mercat Cross stands in Broad Street and was once the focus of the town's trading activity. The unicorn figure on top is known as ' the puggy '.
Nearby is Norrie's House. This was the house of the Town Clerk, James Norrie and is a good example of a 17th Century merchant's house.
By 1550, the Tolbooth stood next to the Mercat Cross. It was the court house, council meeting place, armoury and prison. The town's money was kept there. It served as the administrative heart of the old town, The original Tollbooth was in such a bad state that it was demolished around 1700. The present Tollbooth was built around 1703-05 by Sir William Bruce, who also designed Holyrood Palace. A courthouse and jail were added in 1809. The tower features a rare surviving example of a dutch pavilion roof.

Question - Riots took place in December 170? Answer F.

The Cache can be found at
N 56º 07.AEC
W 003º 56.BDF

You will almost certainly need to apply stealth.
And please ensure that this cache is not even the tiniest bit visible.
This is a major tourist spot and the council will certainly pick up anything which looks like abandoned litter. Thanks.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Oruvaq n cbfg.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


Advertising with Us

Inventory

There are no Trackables in this cache.

View past Trackables

What are Trackable Items?

Bookmark Lists

View all 6 bookmark lists...