Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom Scotland Stirling Wolf Craig
AO Edited

Wolf Craig

A distinctive building that incorporates a mythical beast into its architecture.

Stirling, Scotland

Added By
SEANETTA ALLSASS
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Wolf Craig   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
The Back Walk   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
The King’s Knot, Stirling Castle in background   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Albert Hall   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Wallace Monument   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Wolf Craig   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
18th c painting, Stirling Smith Art Gallery/Museum.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Wolf Craig   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Albert Hall   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
The Back Walk   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

According to legends, Stirling, once the seat of power in ancient Scotland, was under threat from encroaching Danish Vikings. These Norsemen were in the process of ambushing this sleepy Celtic village along the River Forth, when one of the soldiers accidentally stepped on the paw of a sleeping wolf cub. The pup yelped alerting its mother who howled for her mate. This commotion was enough to wake the town and prevent a hostile takeover. 

The validity of this tale is debatable as there are similar stories in Brittany, Cornwall, and Edinburgh. However, this did not prevent the town from embracing this legend by incorporating an image of a wolf into the city seal and the Mercat Cross on Broad Street. Several other buildings around modern-day Stirling contain an image of a wolf.

One structure that proudly showcases the fable of the wolf is located on Port Street, just opposite of what was once Burgh Gate, a walled defense that protected the city.

In 1897, architect John Allan constructed a building to house a grocery store for local merchants Macfarlane and Robertson. On the first floor, visitors can find the relief of the wolf with the words: "Here in auld days, The wolf roam'd, In the hole of a rock, In ambush lay."

Related Tags

Legends History & Culture Architecture Design

Know Before You Go

Visible and accessible at all times of the day. Located at the intersection of Port Street and Dumbarton Street, above what is now a restaurant.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

SEANETTA

Published

May 14, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.stirlingarchives.scot/2016/09/13/john-allan-architect-stirling-buildings-1893-1911/#:~:text=John%20Allan%20designed%20the%20iconic,and%20was%20built%20in%201897.
  • https://www.yourstirling.com/stirling-wolf/
Wolf Craig
Stirling, Scotland, FK8 2LQ
United Kingdom
56.116709, -3.937896

Nearby Places

The Bastion & Thieves Pot

Stirling, Scotland

miles away

The World's Oldest Football

Stirling, Scotland

miles away

Cowane's Hospital

Stirling, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Stirling

Stirling

Scotland

Places 11

Nearby Places

The Bastion & Thieves Pot

Stirling, Scotland

miles away

The World's Oldest Football

Stirling, Scotland

miles away

Cowane's Hospital

Stirling, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Stirling

Stirling

Scotland

Places 11

Related Places

  • One of the Cornhill Devils.

    London, England

    The Cornhill Devils

    These Victorian era devil sculptures were designed to spite a local vicar.

  • Facade of the house.

    Puebla, Mexico

    La Casa del que Mató al Animal

    The scene of a legendary hunt is displayed on this building's facade.

  • Saruhashi Bridge, 2017.

    Otsuki, Japan

    Saruhashi Bridge

    According to one legend, this bridge was crafted after monkeys formed a body-bridge across the gorge.

  • Uránia Nemzeti Filmszínház

    Budapest, Hungary

    Uránia Nemzeti Filmszínház

    A stunning Art Nouveau cinema in the heart of Budapest.

  • Hôtel Solvay

    Brussels, Belgium

    Hôtel Solvay

    This historic Art Nouveau townhouse was the former home of the son of a famous chemical inventor and industrialist.

  • Mudéjar Thematic Park

    Olmedo, Spain

    Mudéjar Thematic Park

    The best collection of Mudéjar building replicas gathered in a theme park in Olmedo.

  • St Martin’s Rotunda, Prague

    Prague, Czechia

    Rotonde Saint-Martin (St Martin’s Rotunda)

    The largest and best-preserved rotunda in Prague.

  • Granary in Jankowo up close

    Jankowo, Poland

    Walter Gropius's 1906 Spichlerz

    A Bauhaus co-founder designed this quirky, abandoned granary.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.