# Stirling

> city in Scotland, UK

**Wikidata**: [Q182923](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q182923)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/stirling

## Summary
Stirling is a city located in Scotland, United Kingdom. It serves as the administrative center for the Stirling council area and was historically the county town of Stirlingshire. The city is known for its historic significance and prominent landmarks like Stirling Castle.

## Key Facts
- **Instance Of:** Stirling is classified as a city and was historically a large burgh from 1930 until May 15, 1975.
- **Location:** It is situated in the United Kingdom, within Scotland, at coordinates latitude 56.1166 and longitude -3.9369 (OS Grid Reference NS795935).
- **Administrative History:** Stirling is located within the Stirling council area (since April 1, 1996). It was previously part of the Stirling civil parish (until May 15, 1930), the shire of Stirlingshire (from May 16, 1930, to May 15, 1975), and the local government area of Stirling (from May 16, 1975, to March 31, 1996).
- **Population:** The population was estimated at 37,610 in 2016. The preferred 2020 population figure is 37,910.
- **Capital Status:** Stirling is the capital of the historic county of Stirlingshire.
- **Identifiers:** Key external identifiers include a TOID (4000000074551019), Geonames ID (2636910), VIAF ID (134077325), and UN/LOCODE (GBSIG).
- **Government:** The local government website is https://www.stirling.gov.uk/ (in English).
- **Communication:** The local telephone dialing code is 01786, and postal codes include FK7, FK8, and FK9.
- **Borders:** The city shares a border with Callander.
- **Twinning:** Stirling is twinned with Budapest District III (since 2006) and Galway.
- **Significant Event:** A notable historical event associated with the city is the Siege of Stirling Castle.
- **Media Presence:** It has an official subreddit (r/stirlingscotland) and is the subject of a BBC News topic (c0n168gwxzlt).

## FAQs
**What is the basic information about Stirling?**
Stirling is a city in Scotland, United Kingdom, functioning as the administrative center for the Stirling council area. It has a population of approximately 38,000 people and is historically significant as the county town of Stirlingshire.

**How has Stirling's administrative status changed over time?**
Stirling's status evolved from a civil parish (until 1930) to a large burgh and part of Stirlingshire shire (1930-1975), then a local government area (1975-1996), and finally the current Stirling council area (since 1996). These changes reflect broader local government reorganizations in Scotland.

**What are some key identifiers and codes for Stirling?**
The city has numerous standard identifiers, including a Geonames ID (2636910) for geographical data, a UN/LOCODE (GBSIG) for trade, and postal codes like FK7, FK8, and FK9. It is also represented in library catalogs by a Library of Congress Authority ID (no2008009928).

**What international connections does Stirling have?**
Stirling maintains twin-town relationships with Budapest District III in Hungary, formalized in 2006, and with Galway in Ireland. These partnerships typically promote cultural and economic exchanges.

**What online resources are available for Stirling?**
Official information is provided by the Stirling Council website (stirling.gov.uk). Community discussion can be found on the subreddit r/stirlingscotland, and its geographical data is accessible via platforms like OpenStreetMap (node ID 21091709).

## Why It Matters
Stirling holds significant historical importance as a former royal burgh and the focal point of Stirlingshire, often referred to as the "Gateway to the Highlands" due to its strategic location. Its rich history, including events like the Siege of Stirling Castle, makes it a key subject for understanding Scottish heritage. The city's well-documented evolution through various administrative systems provides a valuable case study in Scottish governance. Furthermore, as a modern administrative hub with international links, Stirling plays a vital role in the regional economy and culture of central Scotland.

## Notable For
- **Historic Significance:** Serving as the historic county town of Stirlingshire and the site of Stirling Castle.
- **Strategic Location:** Its position is historically recognized as a gateway between the Scottish Lowlands and Highlands.
- **Administrative Evolution:** Exemplifying changes in Scottish local government structures over the 20th century.
- **Detailed Documentation:** Being extensively cataloged across numerous national and international databases (e.g., Library of Congress, Geonames).
- **Cultural Presence:** Featuring in authoritative sources like the Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition and The Nuttall Encyclopædia.

## Body

### Classification and Status
Stirling is legally defined as a city, a classification for a large human settlement. Historically, it held the status of a large burgh from 1930 until the reorganization of local government in Scotland on May 15, 1975.

### Geography and Location
The city is located in the United Kingdom, within Scotland. Its precise coordinates are latitude 56.1166 and longitude -3.9369, corresponding to OS Grid Reference NS795935. Stirling shares a border with the town of Callander. It falls within the UTC±00:00 timezone.

### Demographics
Population figures for Stirling include an estimate of 37,610 people in 2016. The most recent and preferred data indicates a population of 37,910 as of 2020.

### Governance and Administration
Stirling is the capital of the historic county of Stirlingshire. Its current administrative context is the Stirling council area, which it has been part of since April 1, 1996. Prior to this, its administrative history is complex:
- It was a civil parish until May 15, 1930.
- It was part of the shire of Stirlingshire from May 16, 1930, to May 15, 1975.
- It was within the local government area of Stirling from May 16, 1975, to March 31, 1996.
The local authority's website is https://www.stirling.gov.uk/, available in English.

### International Links
Stirling is twinned with other cities to foster international relations. It has been twinned with Budapest District III since 2006 and with Galway.

### Historical Significance
A significant event in the city's history is the Siege of Stirling Castle. It is also described in historical sources such as the Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition and The Nuttall Encyclopædia.

### Identifiers and Cataloging
Stirling is referenced by a wide array of identifiers across different systems, ensuring unambiguous identification in databases worldwide.
- **Geographical:** TOID (4000000074551019), Geonames ID (2636910), GNS Unique Feature ID (-2608742), OpenStreetMap Node ID (21091709).
- **Library and Archive:** Library of Congress Authority ID (no2008009928), VIAF ID (134077325), FAST ID (1713537), GND ID (4192040-5).
- **Other:** UN/LOCODE (GBSIG) for trade, BBC Things ID (601beafb-b34f-41fa-a3ff-ef421870acc1), MusicBrainz Area ID (b2038f59-92ba-4520-8e9f-b006b7e50aa9).

### Media and Online Presence
The city has a presence on various online platforms. Community discussion occurs on the subreddit r/stirlingscotland. It is also categorized in online directories like Curlie (Regional/Europe/United_Kingdom/Scotland/Stirling_District/Stirling/). A large number of Wikipedia language editions (including en, de, fr, es) have articles about Stirling.

### Cultural Categories
Several Wikimedia categories are associated with the city, including `Category:Stirling (city)`, `Category:People from Stirling`, `Category:Births in Stirling (Scottish city)`, and `Category:Deaths in Stirling`. There is also a category for films shot in the wider area, `Category:Films shot in Stirling (council area)`. The city is maintained by WikiProject Scotland, WikiProject UK geography, and WikiProject Cities on Wikipedia.

### Visual Symbols
Stirling has official symbols represented in image files:
- A coat of arms image: `Coat_of_arms_of_Stirling.svg`.
- A flag image: `Flag_of_Stirling.svg`.
- A page banner image: `Stirling_banner_Stirling_Bridge.jpg`.
- A primary image of its castle: `Stirling_Castle_(5455709703).jpg`.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Czech National Authority Database
5. MusicBrainz
6. GeoNames
7. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/gb.htm)
8. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
9. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File