A Walk Around King's Park
This walk provides a glimpse into Kings Park's history and an introduction to the Park's many amenities. It will take around 1.5 hours to complete, allowing time to examine the attractive scenery on the route. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Parts of the walk can be muddy due to Scotland's varied weather.
The Kings Park is Scotland's most ancient Royal Park, being first recorded and enclosed as royal hunting grounds by William the Lion in 1159. Situated to the south and west of Stirling Castle, magnificent views can be seen from the Park of both the Castle and mountains such as Ben Lomond and Ben Voirlich to the west, and Ben More and Stobinian to the north.
With its Castle situated high up on a volcanic outcrop, surrounded by fairly flat countryside and river crossing point, Stirling has over a long period marked an important strategic location, military fortification and gateway for armies travelling north and south.
Although the Kings Park now contains fertile land and various public amenities, in the past this Park would have been larger in size. The river Forth would have been more difficult to cross around Stirling because of boggy conditions in parts, particularly for an army travelling south. Stirling has been described as a "brooch holding Scotland together."
Stirling Castle was a principal residence of Stewart monarchs until 1603 when, following the Union of the Crowns, the royal court moved to London.
At the date of writing, Kings Park remains an ancient Crown possession. The Park covers an area of 453 acres and includes a golf course, public spaces and a few agricultural tenancies.
Tap a numbered marker for a photo and summary. Use the layers control to show each trail. Positions are draft and being checked on the ground.
The stops
- Tennis — Kings Park Tennis Club The tennis courts and pavilion are located near the skate park. Kings Park Tennis Pavilion was built in 1923 and still contains original fixtures and fittings.
- Band Stand Local people used to enjoy walking in Kings Park on a Sunday afternoon and evening in good weather, and often congregated around the Band Stand, which used to be located near the site of the current…
- Play Park / Skatepark This very popular play park was redesigned recently and reopened in Spring 2009. It caters for children of all ages.
- Community Gardens Directly across from the fountain and near the main gate, there is a pedestrian entrance leading into a sheltered garden area.
- Kings Park Drinking Fountain You are now at the main entrance of the Public Park. This Victorian-style ornamental drinking fountain is Listed by Historic Scotland as a Category B cast iron structure.
- Roman Road Turning left and walking towards the Kings Park Fountain, you are on the site of an ancient Roman road which, excavations have revealed, follows a route through the Park from the main entrance.
- Park Loch Once through the Park gate, in front and to your right are two gullies. It was in this area that in earlier times the Park Loch was located. James IV created this loch as a royal water feature.
- Victorian Drinking Fountains Before entering the Park at the side gate in Victoria Place, note the little ironwork drinking fountain. This is one of four restored fountains located round the park.
- Queen's Road / Victoria Place Leaving Kings Knot by the main gate, cross Dumbarton Road at Albert Place and proceed along Queens Road towards the Kings Park. Notice the attractive suburb of Victorian villas to your left.
- The Kings Knot Follow the path through the gap in the wall. This leads into the Kings Knot. Historians vary in their views about the origins of this mound.
- The Haining The word Haining means a piece of ground set aside for special purposes.
- Butt Well It is believed this ancient well takes its name from proximity to archery targets in the lower slopes of the Park. The natural spring which serviced this well descends from the castle rock above.
- Back Walk Stirling Castle was attacked or besieged at least 16 times during its long history, so in medieval times this area, situated close to the Castle Rock, would have been kept free of trees to enable…
- Ailie's Garden Ailie's Garden is named after Ailie MacLaurin (1913–2000) — see the leaflet available in the Smith — who was involved with the Stirling Homesteads, a small community of houses and a farm on the edge…
- Wolf Stone Standing outside the Smith's main entrance, take the path to the left and you will see the Wolf Stone (2003). This is made from a piece of Caithness slate in the Pictish style by artist Alan Reid.
- Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum The walk begins at the Smith Art Gallery and Museum, which was built from the bequest of Thomas Stuart Smith on land provided by Stirling Burgh. It first opened to the public on 11th August 1874.
- Stirling Races For a long time, horse racing had proved a popular sport in Scotland. Annual horse racing events, such as the Chapmen races, took place in Kings Park prior to, and during, the 19th century.
- Herds Hoose For a long time, much of the land in the Kings Park was let out as pasture to local farmers, and sheep and cattle were able to roam quite freely in the park.
- Kings Park Military Connections After 1603, Stirling continued to have royal connections and remained an important military garrison town.
- 1911 Circuit of Britain Air Race In May 1911, the Daily Mail sponsored a Circuit of Britain Air Race. The aim of this event, which offered a prize of £10,000, was to encourage aircraft development.