Robert the Bruce

Nope. Your eyes aren’t playing tricks with you, nor is your imagination running wild. It is what it is.

If you still insist otherwise, then blame it on the Caledonian pints you thirstily gulped down and the Haggis dish you greedily devoured. There, now, since that is out of the way, this is an introduction to one of Scotland’s favorite sons.

When you settle down on the green grass at Stirling Castle and contemplate world domination, again, don’t miss out on the statue of Robert I of Scotland, better known as Robert the Bruce and King of independent Scotland from 1306 until he died in 1329.

He was much loved by the Scots for standing up for Scottish freedom, as much as he was despised by England and the Pope. While much has been written about Robert and his exploits, suffice to say that he did manage to capture most of the Scottish castles and unite the nobles and chiefs under his kingship. All except one, much like an imaginary Gaul village we have all grown to love – Stirling Castle, also known as the ‘key to Scotland’.

All that would end with the Battle of Bannockburn. It raged for two days and ended when Edward II, newly crowned King of England, fled from the scene, hopped onto a ship, and sailed back to the comfort and security of England. The statue was designed by George Cruikshank and sculpted by Andrew Currie between 1876 and 1877.

And, lest we need another reminder, it faces southwards to the battlefield of Bannockburn.