The Stirling Castle renovation project undertaken by Historic Scotland in the late 20th century aimed to restore the castle to its 15th and 16th-century glory. The primary goal was to refurbish and furnish the interiors of the Royal Palace and the Great Hall, presenting them as they would have appeared in the past. This involved creating new tapestries, furniture, stained glass shutter board windows, and doors, as well as conserving and repairing the historic material of the building.
Restoration of the Great Hall
The restoration of the Great Hall was a significant part of the project. The hall was built during the reign of James IV (1488–1513) and was the largest ever built in Scotland, measuring 138ft by 47ft. It was used for state occasions, banquets, and feasts, and was also the site of significant events such as the baptism of James VI and the meeting of the Scottish Parliament.
The restoration process was complex and involved several stages. The Great Hall had been used as barracks from 1800 to 1964, and significant alterations had been made during that time. The military had added floors, altered windows, and replaced the ceiling, greatly changing the original structure. When Historic Scotland took over the castle in 1991, the Great Hall was in a dilapidated state, and the decision was made to restore it to its original 1504 condition.
Architectural Features Restored or Recreated
Several architectural features were restored or recreated during the Stirling Castle renovation:
- Hammerbeam Roof: The Great Hall’s hammerbeam roof was reconstructed using 57 trusses, including 43 intermediate trusses and 14 principal trusses. The roof was designed to be strong and visually stunning, with a network of cantilevers and trusses that create a jigsaw puzzle of beautiful triangles.
- Ridge Beasts: The restoration team had to figure out where the ridge beasts, heraldic statues of unicorns and lions, should be placed on top of the building. They used the original structure of the roof to determine the strongest points where the beasts could be placed.
- Stained Glass Shutter Board Windows: New stained glass shutter board windows were created to match the original style and design of the 16th century.
- Furniture and Tapestries: New furniture and tapestries were created to furnish the Royal Palace and the Great Hall, based on historical evidence and references from other European buildings.
Timeline and Cost
The restoration project began in the late 20th century and took over a decade to complete. The Great Hall was officially reopened by Queen Elizabeth II on November 30, 1999. The total cost of the project was £22 million.
Visitor Information
Stirling Castle is open to visitors and offers a unique glimpse into Scotland’s rich history. The Great Hall, with its bright yellow exterior and stunning hammerbeam roof, is a must-see attraction. Visitors can explore the castle and its surroundings, including the Royal Palace and the West Gallery, which has been left deliberately untouched to showcase the underlying archaeology.
References
- McDonald, S. (2017). Restoring Renaissance Glory at Stirling Castle. Engine Shed. Retrieved from https://blog.engineshed.scot/2017/02/03/181/
- Undiscovered Scotland. (n.d.). Great Hall – Stirling Castle. Retrieved from https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/stirling/stirlingcastle/greathall.html
- Slate. (2015). Scotland’s Stirling Castle: The Great Hall illustrates the complexity of preservation. Retrieved from http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_eye/2015/08/26/scotland_s_stirling_castle_the_great_hall_illustrates_the_complexity_of.html
- 99% Invisible. (2015). The Great Restoration. Retrieved from https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/the-great-restoration/
- Carpenter Oak. (2024). Restoring the Great Hall roof at Stirling Castle and Carpenter Oak’s beginnings in Scotland. Retrieved from https://www.carpenteroak.com/restoring-the-great-hall-roof-at-stirling-castle-and-carpenter-oaks-beginnings-in-scotland/.