Castle Ruin Stirling

Declared derelict in 1973, this castle has a rich history with the building standing on the site of what used to be home to a family of dukes. The structure itself was constructed in the aftermath of a fire which destroyed the original building and to this day remains a ruin on the outskirts of Stirling.

Building interior which has deteriorated

Inside of the ruin with front windows in view and missing floors

Very little of what once existed within the castle walls remains today with the only recoverable remnants of the building’s past being a degrading staircase and a significantly in-tact sandstone grand fireplace.

Source: Adventure & Anxiety

Source: Media Drum World

This particular structure’s open roof can be attributed to its removal in 1954 in an attempt to prevent taxation on the property.

Source: Atlas Obscura

The altogether decaying nature of the ruin is noticeable with rubble scattered, walls crumbling and missing floors throughout the extent of the property. This can easily be chalked up to its exposure to year-round harsh Scottish weather conditions for over 65 years.

However, the degradation is also telling of the history of what occurred within the castle’s walls. The site has indeed taken many forms, functioning first as a home before being sold and opened as a hotel. During the Second World War, the castle acted as a hospital to injured soldiers, famously known for being the site of treatment to Rudolf Hess – deputy to Adolf Hitler of the Nazi party. Since then, it served as an Army School of Education for a short period of time before its closure.

Now, there remains the structure’s original basement alongside its turrets, one of which being fully accessible via a winding staircase. Old caged windows also still stand within the castle which look to belong to what once was a cellar. Since its abandonment however, nature has become a prevalent part of the estate’s beauty with trees growing openly within the building and vines wrapping around the outside walls.

"Keep clear of this building" sign overgrown with leaves

Surprisingly, the building has only suffered minor graffiti over the years, most of which is rather subtle and not overly aggressive or imposing.

Castle when photographed in 1939…

Castle exterior when in its original condition photographed in 1939

Source: Paris-Roubaix

Now…

Castle exterior photographed in its current condition with missing roof

Source: scotlandinoils.com

More blogs on this location:

https://adventureandanxiety.com/2016/05/buchanan-castle-loch-lomond_23/

https://inspiredbymaps.com/buchanan-castle-scotland/

http://www.abandonedscotland.com/buchanan-castle/

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