The Inner Close of Stirling Castle
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The first of the currently existing royal buildings surrounding the
Inner Close was the King's House (now called the King's Old Building), built
by James IV in 1496. This is now the the regimental museum of the Argyll
and Sutherland Highlanders and has been a military garrison for several
hundred years.
In 1503 he built the Great Hall. This was restored to its original appearance
in 1999 after many decades' use as a barracks. It is 125 feet long and 36
feet wide, with a completely restored hammerbeam roof, and two oriel windows
flanking the dais at the southern end.
At the same time as he built the King's House, James IV set
up a Chapel Royal. It was here that the infant Mary Queen
of Scots was crowned on 9 September 1543: and where she controversially
celebrated Mass on her return from France in 1561. But that building was
demolished and a new Chapel Royal was completed in time for the christening
of Prince Henry, which took place on 30 August 1594.
The Palace was built for James V and completed by his widow in 1543. It is
in the form of a hollow square. At its centre is the paved area that has
become known as the Lion's Den.
