Enjoy an extra-special Christmas shopping experience at Stirling Castle with refreshments and a free chance to see the latest magnificent hand-woven tapestry.

The castle’s shops sell unusual and top-quality goods that will make welcome gifts – including ceramics, books, malt whiskies, jewellery and toys.

Many are unique to Historic Scotland and cannot be bought on the High Street.

On Thursday, 4th December from 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm shoppers will have the chance to pick up some gifts and enjoy free refreshments in the atmosphere of one of Scotland’s great medieval castles.

At the same time they can visit the beautiful Chapel Royal and admire the latest of the Stirling Tapestries.

Gillian MacDonald, Stirling Castle manager, said: “Christmas shopping should be fun and a bit special, and we hope people will enjoy the chance to browse and buy while enjoying a complimentary drink.

“We are also delighted to offer them the chance to have a free viewing of the latest in the Hunt of the Unicorn series of tapestries.

“It is truly magnificent, measuring 11 feet high, and is part of a £2 million project to recreate a series of tapestries like those which hung at the castle when it was a favourite residence of Scotland’s Renaissance kings and queens.”

A range of goods inspired by the tapestries will be on sale.

There will be a free gift wrapping service for purchases from any of the castle shops.

The Unicorn is Found is the fourth in a series of seven tapestries, the last of which will be completed in 2013 as part of a £2 million project to create new versions of a surviving medieval set belonging to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

• Stirling Castle is at the head of Stirling’s old town, off the M9 at junction 9 or 10. Parking will be free on the shopping evening.
• The evening opening will be for the Clan Shop on the esplanade and the main gift shop inside the castle walls.
• The new tapestry will be arriving at the castle towards the end of November.
• Warm clothes are recommended in case of rain and cold weather.
• For full details of the Stirling Tapestries project see the free fact sheets the Historic Scotland website here
• The tapestries are also part of a broader project by Historic Scotland to return the royal apartments in the castle’s palace block to how they may have looked in the mid-16th century.
• Historic Scotland is delighted to be supporting the 2009 Year Of Homecoming with a series of initiatives including family trails, spectacular events and the creation of a Homecoming Pass for heritage attractions in association with the other heritage organisations.