Stirling, Scotland

Stirling Scottish Gaelic: Sruighlea Scots: Stirlin
Stirling city centre
Stirling
Stirling shown within the Stirling council area
Population	45,750 Census 2011
OS grid reference	NS795935
• Edinburgh	43 mi (69 km)
Civil parish	Stirling
Council area	Stirling
Lieutenancy area	Stirling and Falkirk
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	STIRLING
Postcode district	FK7-FK9
Dialling code	01786
Police	Scottish
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
EU Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	Stirling
Scottish Parliament	Stirling
List of places UK Scotland 56°07′02″N 3°56′23″W / 56.1172°N 3.9397°W / 56.1172; -3.9397Coordinates: 56°07′02″N 3°56′23″W / 56.1172°N 3.9397°W / 56.1172; -3.9397

Stirling (/ˈstɜːrlɪŋ/; Scots: Stirlin; Scottish Gaelic: Sruighlea [ˈs̪t̪ruʝlə]) is a city in central Scotland. The market town, surrounded by rich farmland, grew up connecting the royal citadel, the medieval old town with its merchants and tradesmen, the bridge and the port. Located on the River Forth, Stirling is the administrative centre for the Stirling council area, and is traditionally the county town of Stirlingshire. Proverbially it is the strategically important "Gateway to the Highlands". It has been said that "Stirling, like a huge brooch clasps Highlands and Lowlands together". Similarly "he who holds Stirling, holds Scotland" is often quoted. Stirling's key position as the lowest bridging point of the River Forth before it broadens towards the Firth of Forth, made it a focal point for travel north or south.

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