The Stirling Heads

This is the original oak carving of John, the Duke of Albany, from around 1540, commissioned by King James V to decorate the ceiling of his Inner Hall in his royal quarters at Stirling Castle. Brightly painted replicas of the 27 heads have been installed as part of the redecoration of the Palace, completed and re-opened in June 2011.

James V commissioned these to demonstrate how well-connected he was; a demonstration of his power (and vanity).