Stirling celebrates naval links as HMS Stirling Castle prepares to sail
The maritime links between Stirling and the Royal Navy have been celebrated with the naming of a ship in honour of the city’s most iconic landmark.
Article Source: Stirling Council
Last Updated: 25 September 2025 12:26
The maritime links between Stirling and the Royal Navy have been celebrated with the naming of a ship in honour of the city’s most iconic landmark.
HMS Stirling Castle is only the sixth vessel in the Royal Naval fleet – and the first since 1811 – to bear the famous title in a proud lineage that stretches back to 1679.
Commanding Officer of HMS Stirling Castle, Commander Phil Harper, visited Stirling this week to strengthen links between the Royal Navy, his vessel and the city.
HMS Stirling Castle was purchased by the Ministry of Defence in 2023 after it had operated for a decade as a commercial vessel, MV Island Crown, in the offshore wind, oil and gas sector. She was renamed in July 2025 and, following a period of refurbishment, will shortly be put to sea, equipped with cutting-edge technology to help transform minehunting operations across the globe.
During his visit Commander Harper met with officials from Stirling Council, including Lord Provost Elaine Watterson and Council Leader, Cllr Gerry McGarvey, as well as leading representatives from Historic Environment Scotland and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
Lord Provost Elaine Watterson said: “It was an absolute pleasure to meet Commander Harper and accept, on behalf of the people of Stirling, the ship’s badge from HMS Stirling Castle.
“As a minehunter, HMS Stirling Castle will play an important role in maritime security and we value greatly the role of our service men and women from the Royal Navy and other armed forces.
“We look forward to welcoming personnel from the Royal Navy and HMS Stirling Castle to our Remembrance Day and Armed Forces Day events. I would also like to thank Audrey Burns and Ross Blevins from Historic Environment Scotland, as well as Islay Carmichael, the CEO of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, for helping to host Commander Harper.”
Commander Harper added: “Our affiliation with the City of Stirling and the iconic Castle are a key part of our identity. Sailors have served in ships named after Stirling Castle since 1679, and the Royal Navy is nothing if it doesn’t serve the people of our great nations.
“Scotland is home to many of my sailors and the City of Stirling represents, on behalf of the cities, towns and villages of the UK and Commonwealth, the values of home to me, my people and my ship.”
Audrey Burns, Regional Visitor and Community Manager for Stirling Castle at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “We were thrilled to welcome Commander Phil Harper to Stirling to celebrate the connection between the newly named HMS Stirling Castle, the city and Stirling Castle itself.
“Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s most renowned heritage sites, with a history spanning more than a thousand years, and we’re delighted this ship has been named in its honour.”
Islay Carmichael, CEO of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, added: “The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental & Museum Trust were extremely proud and honoured to facilitate Commander Phil Harper’s visit.
“It marks the start of a very strong lasting affiliation with HMS Stirling Castle, the city, the castle, and the Royal Regiment of Scotland. It provides the ship’s company with a link and land home here in Stirling.”
Image: Commander Phil Harper with Lord Provost Elaine Watterson and (l to right) Julia McAfee, Chief Officer – Governance at Stirling Council; Robin Iffla, Depute Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk; Colonel Alistair Campbell, Vice Lord Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk; Lord Provost Elaine Watterson; Commander Phil Harper; Stirling Council leader, Cllr Gerry McGarvey and Brian Roberts, Interim Chief Executive of Stirling Council.
Image credit: Mark Ferguson Photography
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