When Paul Murray put forward the idea of a club trip to Stirling back in June the enthusiastic response was overwhelming. As time progressed the numbers dwindled, and Monday 20th October saw 8 of our members descend on Stirling for a three day visit, including two sessions of bridge on Monday and Tuesday evenings
Stirling Bridge Club own their own premises near the city centre. It is spacious, comfortable, and everything a bridge club could wish for with two good playing areas, cloak room, kitchen, and other rooms that I never got round to seeing
Unlike the visit in 1314 which saw the invading English visitors being massacred in the nearby battle of Bannockburn, this was a much less decisive engagement. Our hosts were welcoming and extremely friendly and engaging. Who won this time round? I don't really know, and it's not very important: we had two very enjoyable evenings in their company
Beyond bridge, Stirling has much to commend it and we did our best to see as much as possible over our three days:

Stirling's new jail was a fascinating exposition of penal reform in the Victoria age. No, honestly, it was well presented and very interesting

On Tuesday we had a trip out to see the Falkirk wheel. Awe inspiring engineering

followed by a visit to the Kelpies,
which are giant sculptures of mythical sea horses
followed by a visit to the Bannockburn battle sight for a little history lesson

My sightseeing highlight was the visit to Stirling Castle. This sits atop a volcanic outcrop, dominating the city and surrounding countryside, offering fantastic views and intriguing stories

Thanks to the connections built up by Paul over the past couple of years we were treated to a free guided tour by his friend Islay of the castle and the regimental museum of the 93rd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
The castle is extremely well preserved, having been extensively restored,

and brought to life by a whole variety of displays and guides

A big meal to round off the trip

It was my first visit to Stirling. It's a great city with much history and many beautiful buildings

But above all it was an opportunity to learn more about the people I only meet in passing at the bridge table, and I cannot be the only one feeling a much closer connection with everyone on the trip
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