Things you didn't know about... Stirlingshire

A city is born

Stirling, county town of Stirlingshire and the ancient residence of Scottish kings, is also Scotland's newest city. The Queen granted Stirling city status to mark her Golden Jubilee in 2002.

Stirlingshire is a hotshot

The small town of Doune in Stirlingshire was once famous throughout the world for manufacturing pistols. Some even claim that it was a pistol made here in Stirlingshire that fired the first shot of the American War of Independence.

Stirlingshire—the prince of whales

Stirling carse, the flat farmland stretching west across Stirlingshire from the castle, is an ancient peat bog. When it was drained in the 18th century people were amazed to find the remains of whales. Nowadays, hay grown on the Stirlingshire carse is reckoned to be the best-quality hay in the country—apparently, top thoroughbred horses won't eat anything else.

Stirlingshire's batty record

Culcreuch castle, in one of Stirlingshire's prettiest villages, Fintry, is home to the largest colony of bats in the UK.

Stirlingshire's contribution to Scottish independence

It was here in Stirlingshire that Robert the Bruce helped secure independence for Scotland through his decisive victory at Bannockburn, just outside Stirling, in 1314. Together the Bannockburn Monument and nearby statue of Robert the Bruce are one of the most-visited sites in Stirlingshire.

You'll find a lion in Stirlingshire

Granted its own coat of arms in 1890, Stirlingshire's banner depicts a St Andrews cross with a rampant red lion. The weapons placed around the cross are said to represent the weapons used against the English during the battle of Bannockburn.

Statues matter in Stirlingshire

Stirlingshire is home to many of the most famous battles in Scottish history, and the Wallace Monument commemorates William Wallace, the 13th-century Scottish hero who fought the Battle of Stirling Bridge. The monument, a sandstone tower built in 1869 with contributions from, among others, Garibaldi, is one of Stirlingshire's most well-loved attractions.

The same can't be said of the most recent addition: a 1997 statue, supposedly of William Wallace, which bears an uncanny resemblance to a certain Mel Gibson. It angered someone so much that they lopped off its nose.

A football legend is born...

You might know him better for his time at Aberdeen and Manchester United, but legendary football manager Sir Alex Ferguson began his managerial career at East Stirlingshire FC. He was appointed in 1974, on the princely sum of ?40 per week.