historical maps and plans

A detail from Timothy Pont's manuscript map of the late 16th-century showing Stirling. Despite the minute size of the original drawing, it conveys an impression of the grandeur of the Forefront of the castle set within the royal Park, at the head of the walled town.

'Ground Floor of the Palace at Stirling Castle' by the military engineer, Theodore Dury, 1708 (NLS MS.1646 Z.02/17). The different rooms in the palace are named, as well as 'The Court Called the Lyons denn'. Details for a proposed grand staircase are shown in the N part of the Lion's Den, on the centre right of the drawing.

'Sterling Castle, November 1719, No.1' by the Board of Ordnance engineer, Thomas Moore, 1719 (NLS MS.1646 Z.02/18a). This shows a plan of the upper floor of the Palace and the King's Old Building with a section through the Palace.

'Sterling Castle, Novemr 1719, No.3' by Thomas Moore, 1719 (NLS MS.1646 Z.02/18c). This plan shows a plan of the vaults (left) and the Principal floor of the Palace. North is at the bottom of the plan.

'Sterling Castle, [November] 1719, No.2' by Thomas Moore (NLS MS.1646 Z.02/18b). The plan on the extreme right depicts the ground floor of the Governor's Kitchen (top right) and the adjoining King's Old Building. The circular oven within the Governor's Kitchen is seen at the top of the plan, marked 'O'.

The upper part of a plan of 'Sterling Castle' by Theodore Dury, 1708 (NLS MS.1646 Z.02/16a).

The upper part of a plan, probably by Theodore Dury of 'Stirling Castle, showing plans to fortify the main entrance and the nether bailey' (NLS MS.1646 Z.02/16b). The palace is shown in the lower left of the drawing, near the still complete structure of the Gatehouse.

Plan of the upper floor of the Palace (NLS MS.1649 Z.46/58). This is dated in pencil, 1733, and shows the rooms of the upper floor in use as the Governor's residence.

'The Prospect of their Majesties Castle of Sterling' by John Slezer, published in his Theatrum Scotiae in 1693 (NLS). The palace can be seen to the left of the towers of the Gatehouse, with the Great Hall to the right. The view emphasises the defensive strength of the castle walls, with the French Spur and the Elphinstone Tower prominent.

A drawing entitled 'Designe for Improveing the front of the Royall Palace in Sterling Castle built by King James 5th. This front looks towards Edinburgh southeast. Paris April 1724' (RHP 13258/48). This was drawn by the Jacobite John Erskine , Earl of Mar (d 1732) while in exile in Paris. The elevation bears the Royal Arms of Scotland with the nscription 'Justitia patria restituta'.

A drawing entitled 'Designe for Improveing the front of the Royall Palace in Stirling Castle built by King James 5th. This front looks towards the Bridge northeast. Paris Aprile 1724' (RHP 13258/49). This was drawn by John Erskine, Earl of Mar, when in exile in Paris.

'Plan of the Palace in Stirling Castle built by King James 5th wt design'd improvements. The floor over the Royall appartments, being the Governours lodgings. Paris Aprile 1724' (RHP 13258/47). This is a plan of the upper floor of the palace, then in use as the Governor's lodgings, was drawn by John Erskine , Earl of Mar, when in exile in Paris. A new grand stair is proposed in the NW corner of the palace (lower right), while a more private stair is proposed for the Lion's Den. It is based on an existing drawing and propsals are shown in a pinker ink (on the original). The names of each room is given and also the position of beds.

'Plan of the Palace in Stirling Castle built by King James 5th wt design'd Improvements. The first floor from the Parad[e] court. Paris Aprile 1724', drawn by the Jacobite John Erskine , Earl of Mar, while in exile in Paris (RHP RHP13258/46). It names the King's bedchamber, closet, antechamber and Guard Hall, the Queen's Bedchamber, closet, Drawingroom or Presence Chamber, and Guard Hall, among other chambers. A tree graces the centre of the Lions Den.

'Plan of the vaults & offices of the Ro[ya]ll Palace in Stirling Castle wt additions and improvements. Aprile 1724' by the Jacobite John Erskine , Earl of Mar, while in exile in Paris (RHP RHP13258/45). A new entrance is propsed in the centre of the E elevation, while an extension to the W contains new kitchens.