The First World War - Historic Scotland

STIRLING CASTLE
A Short Tour
Welcome to Stirling Castle, since the 18 th century, men and women from many
different regiments have lived and worked here. During the First World War, it
was a recruiting centre for large numbers of men from all over the country.
They were given their papers, uniforms and were medically inspected before
being sent to overnight accommodation either in the Castle or in temporary
camps surrounding it. Two squadrons (43 rd and 63 rd ) of the Royal Flying Corps
were also formed during this period and they regularly flew training flights from
an airfield below the Castle.
• As you go round Stirling Castle, think about the role it played during the
First World War and how it has changed over time.
“I was given a card with my regimental number and sent down to the gymnasium
where I was inspected and marked fit” Soldier, Stirling Castle, c 1914
“He reported to a Sergeant who was taking the names of the reservists as they
arrived. He was given a card with his name and regimental number and sent down
a flight of stairs to the gymnasium.” Recollections of H.B.Todd, Stirling Castle,
c1914.
© Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum 2007 9