Stirling - Old Bowling Green

When I started blipfoto I decided to try to post pictures of various Stirling landmarks. I suppose I have fulfilled some of that intention but there are many to go! Tonight I had another stroll to the top of the town and had a look at the bowling green beside Cowane's Hospital. This green was laid out in 1712 by the Earl of Mar's gardener and is thought to be the oldest in Scotland. Was the cannon there to help maintain order in the case of disputes among the bowlers I wonder.
The building behind it is the Old Town Jail.