When traveling through the United Kingdom, a person can do far worse than stopping off in the city of Stirling, Scotland for a bit of sightseeing. This ancient burgh of nearly 42,000 people is located in the mid-central region of the country, placed squarely between the Scottish Lowlands and the Highlands.
Over its history Stirling has been noted to be part of an area referred to as the "Gateway to the Highlands." The city is centered around a fortress and a medieval town, which lies on the banks of the River Forth. This waterway runs nearly 30 miles long, and it is at Stirling that the last fording point of the river lies. A ford is a place where a stream or river can be waded across.
Historically, Stirling was a central location and royal stronghold in the old Kingdom of Scotland. The Scottish King David I granted it burgh status in 1130, which lasted until 1975. It achieved official city status in 2002, upon the occasion of Queen Elizabeth II's golden jubilee. The environs around the city have a history going back to the Stone Age, and the Romans made use of its strategic position to establish a garrison there.
The origins of the city's name haven't been completely determined, but it's thought that it's either of Scots or Gaelic derivation. In both languages, it means "place of battle." Other scholars argue that Stirling draws its name from one of the Brythonic languages, meaning "dwelling place of Melwyn."
The local government council area of Stirling, in which the city by the same name resides, has a population of around 88,000 people. Its current political form goes back to only 1994, when the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act of 1994 was enacted. The city itself is the administrative center of this council area. Both the city and the local council area are fine examples of classic Scottish life.
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