In a small courtyard that lies at the heart of Stirling Castle built for James V is a small, paved area that is very nondescript but is referred to as the Lion’s Den. While the name probably comes from the importance of the lion in Scottish heraldry, there is another theory behind the name. Some believe that this courtyard was once home to an actual lion. It’s said the lion was sent to James V as a present from Flanders in 1537. Lions were actually a common gift among European…
