Castle as a Museum - Heritage Presentation and Interpretation in Stirling Castle, Scotland

Abstract

Stirling Castle stands as one of the most significant historical landmarks in the United Kingdom. The wealth of artifacts associated with its history and historical figures can overwhelm even the most ardent enthusiasts of history and archaeology. What methods have been employed at Stirling to provide visitors with the experiences they seek: enjoyable experiences, positive emotions, and opportunities to expand their knowledge? What specific methods are used here? Is interpretation tailored to accommodate all age groups, from children to seniors? Are the exhibitions available to physically disabled tourists? How do tourists perceive this attraction? To address these questions, the author combined primary research conducted during a visit with a disabled person to Stirling Castle (active participation and observation) with secondary sources, including sentiment analysis of tourist reviews from prominent platforms such as Google Reviews and Tripadvisor. The findings reveal diverse yet predominantly positive feedback, with favorable reviews highlighting the value of interactive methods (e.g., opportunities to experience and handle replicas) and attention-grabbing elements (such as actors stylized as historical castle residents).

Presenters

Damian WerczyƄski
Research Assistant / Lecturer, Institute of Geography and Regional Development, University of Wroclaw, Dolnoslaskie, Poland

Details

Presentation Type

Poster Session

Theme

Visitors

KEYWORDS

Heritage interpretation, Heritage presentation, Interpretation methods, Stirling castle, Physically disabled