Administrative headquarters of Central
region, Scotland, on the river Forth;
population (1981) 39,000. Industries include
the manufacture of agricultural machinery,
textiles, and carpets. The castle, which
guarded a key crossing of the river, predates
the 12th century and was long a Scottish
royal residence. Wallace won a victory at
Stirling bridge 1297. Edward II of England
(in raising a Scottish siege of the town)
went into battle at Bannockburn 1314 and was
defeated by Robert I (the Bruce).