VISITORS to Stirling Castle are being offered exclusive access to “secret areas” that are normally closed to the public for the first time.
The daily guided tours, which started on Monday, will give visitors access to approximately 10 hidden areas of the 12th-century castle, according to Historic Environment Scotland (HES).
Some of the areas that will be opened to visitors include the wall walk around the Great Hall roof, which offers “stunning views” across the castle’s royal buildings, the caponiers, which were firing galleries for riflemen, and the King’s Closet, which is located off the King’s bedchamber.
According to HES, there is an area in the King’s Closet which may have been used as an oratory for private prayer, and it is believed that Mary, Queen of Scots, may have used the space for her personal, private devotions when in residence at Stirling Castle.
The King’s Closet also gives access to a narrow, steep, private stair leading to the upper level of the royal Palace.
Dating from James VI reign onwards, the staircase offered the monarch a private route from his apartments on the principal level of the Palace to the apartments of his courtiers and officers of state on the floor above.
Another potential stop on the tour is the site of the 18th-century Governor’s Kitchen, where archaeological work within the building in 1997 discovered that it stood on the site of a long-forgotten medieval chapel.
The use of this space as a chapel was revealed by the discovery of nine skeletons buried beneath the floor, with the skeletons dating from the 13th to the 16th centuries and included a 14th century English knight killed during the wars of independence, and possibly that of a 16th century Regent of Scotland, namely Matthew Stewart, earl of Lennox, the grandfather of James VI.
Visitors will also be able to discover the routes that serving staff would have taken when carrying food from the castle’s 16th-century Great Kitchens into the Great Hall for royal banquets and festivities.
They will also be able to access 16th-century graffiti, behind a previously locked door within the Princes Tower, which could possibly have been written by the hand of King James VI.
In 2007, a section of 16th-century plaster was discovered in the king’s old schoolroom, featuring inscribed words and sentences.
Among the graffiti is the possible autograph of the king, as “James 6” is scrawled across the wall.
Ross Blevins, interpretative events and guiding manager at Stirling Castle, welcomed the announcement of the tours, which will offer those interested in delving behind the scenes of the castle unprecedented access.
He said: “We are delighted to launch these exclusive new tours for those who are interested in delving behind the scenes of the Castle.
“The tours will be bespoke on the day depending on the weather as well as which rooms or areas of the Castle we can access, with each tour potentially offering something different for visitors.
“The stops on this new tour are usually under strict lock and key. Some of the areas have been closed for decades, while others have never before been open to the public, so it is truly a unique visitor experience and a chance to uncover some of the many secrets of Stirling Castle.”
The guided tours will be limited to 12 people per tour and will start at 11am and 2pm each day. The areas that visitors will get access to are weather dependent and may change each day.
The £15 ticket price of the tour is in addition to admission to Stirling Castle. Prices including admission are: Adult £33.50, Concession £30, Child 12 years and over £24. Historic Scotland members will receive 10% off Secret Stirling Tours tickets and free admission to the castle.
