Stirling Castle, Royal Palace of the Stewart Kings, dates from the 12th century but has its roots in the Iron Age. Strategically located, Stirling historically controlled movement across the Scottish Lowlands and into the Highlands. He who controlled the castle effectively controlled Scotland.

Stirling Castle has been the setting for many dramatic events in Scottish history over the centuries. In 1452, William, 8th Earl of Douglas, was murdered by James II and his mutilated corpse thrown from a window. In 1543, the coronation of Mary Queen of Scots took place in the Chapel Royal. To this day it is held as the Dowry of Scottish Queens. Bonnie Prince Charlie laid siege to Stirling in 1746 but failed to take it.

Today, the castle is the regimental home of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's.) HRH Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria, married the Duke of Argyll and was appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the Argyllshire Highlanders. In 1881, they joined with the Duke of Sutherland's Highlanders to form the regiment as it is today. Their mottos are 'Ne Obliviscaris' (Do Not Forget) the motto of the Duke of Argyll, and 'Sans Peur' (Fearless) the motto of the Duke of Sutherland. The regiment fought in the 1815 Battle of New Orleans under then Gen. Andrew Jackson, and are the famous "Thin Red Line" of Balaclava in the Crimea.