Stirling, royal burgh, Stirling council area, is a historic county of Stirlingshire, in south-central Scotland, on the right bank of the River Forth.

Stirling is located 26 miles northeast of Glasgow and 37 miles northwest of Edinburgh. The market town, surrounded by rich farmland, grew up connecting the royal citadel, the medieval old town with its merchants and tradespeople, the Old Bridge, and the port.

Important sectors of Stirling’s diverse contemporary economy include business and financial services, food services, and high-tech manufacturing. The town’s position in central Scotland, at a natural focus of major roads and railways, has favoured its development as a tourist center. Stirling’s Population in 2001 was almost 33,520; then, in 2011, 36 140.