Pre-trip work!

 May 18, 2025   The Archbishop, Old Stirling Bridge, and the Beheading Stone

We knew from last Sunday, that today the Archbishop was presiding at Mass and conferring the Sacrament of Confirmation on the youth so we were prepared for a long Mass. It wasn't. The archbishop was great! He clipped along and at the same time was very warm towards the kids. Afterwards, we went to the Portcullis restaurant for lunch. It was good and one of the better meals we have had here.

The Portcullis restaurant.

This plaque is on the Portcullis restaurant.

Mac and Cheese with a side of one fry. Clare must have stolen it from someone else's plate!

Chicken alfredo.

Hamburger and "chips" (fries).

Cauliflower, broccoli, ham, and cheese bake.

Excellent stretch factor on the mac and cheese.

After lunch, we went in search of Old Stirling Bridge. (This isn't the old wooden bridge with a famous battle between the English and William Wallace. That one is gone.) The information plaque had this to say regarding the Old Stirling Bridge; "The existing 'Auld Stirling Brig' was a toll bridge requiring payment for all pedestrians, carts, and livestock that crossed the bridge. It dates from the 15th century and is one of the best examples of a medieval bridge still standing in Scotland."

Searching for the bridge.

Found it! Thankfully, no tolls.

It's quite large and beautiful.

There were two little jut outs on the center of the bridge. We could only guess what they were for. A place for pedestrians to get out of the way of carts? A spot to collect tolls? 

After the bridge, we went in search of the Beheading Stone. You can't see one of those in the U.S., at least I'm not aware of any!

The stone is on a hill.

Starting our trek up.

The Beheading Stone.

From there, we made our way back to the Airbnb on a path we hadn't walked yet and, of course, enjoyed a little silliness.

We found Fred Flintstone's Lazy Boy recliner. 

Aaron tried it out.

Clare tried it out.

Here's our path home.

What's this? A barricade? 

Not for Aaron!

Not for Paul! Look at the height he gets!

We found a bench carved in honor of  'The "guy who leaped with wings" from Stirling Castle. John Damian, an alchemist and courtier of King James IV, who famously attempted to fly from the castle walls in 1507. He built wings and jumped from the castle, but landed with a broken leg in the dungheap below. Damian is known as the "Birdman of Stirling Castle".'

The Birdman gets no respect!

Paul giving a friend a little help.

Aaron's impersonation of the Greek god Atlas, although it's a tree not the heavens and earth.

Clare cooking her dinner.