Stirling - Athenaeum

The ford across the River Forth near the town brought prosperity and influence, as did the port that was later built. In the 12th century, King David and his successors elevated the town, then called "Strivelyn", to a "burgh". The ford, which was later expanded into a bridge, was the site of the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 during the constant conflicts between the Scots and the English. In 1314, the two armies met again near the bridge at the Battle of Bannockburn.

Even centuries later the port on the River Forth brought prosperity to the city - particularly through the tea trade with India and the timber trade with the Baltic states. However, with the invention and spread of the railway, the decline of river trade began. After a railway bridge was finally built over the river, which made it possible to load goods onto ships further downstream, the port finally disappeared completely in the middle of the 20th century.

The Athenaeum was built 1816 - 1817 on the site of the former meat market. It served as a clubhouse and library for local merchants. Shops were set up on the ground floor. A porch was added to the entrance area in 1859. From 1875, the city used the building for public offices.

The neo-classical building occupies a prominent position at the head of King Street, which splits at this point into Spittal Street and Baker Street, which run either side of the Athenaeum. The six-storey tower, which tapers upwards and ends in a round section with columns and a pointed spire with a weathercock, is striking.