Stirling’s Old Town grew around Stirling Castle, the mighty fortress that’s perched majestically atop an extinct volcano. On this self-guided audio tour of the Old Town, I’ll tell you how it became a flashpoint in Scotland’s long struggle for independence and religious freedom. The tour starts at the statue of Robert the Bruce on the castle esplanade, with its panoramic views over the meandering River Forth. You’ll wind your way through the historic Old Town, passing Renaissance townhouses like Argyll’s Lodging, and medieval churches which tell the story of a town that grew around its mighty fortress. As you stroll you’ll learn about the lives of wealthy merchants like John Cowane, visit the old Tolbooth where rebels were executed, and see how the town evolved through the centuries. The tour ends at the Golden Lion Hotel, where Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns once carved controversial verses on a window pane.