The Thistles - Stirling’s central shopping destination - is hosting a summer of fun like never before, as a pop-up castle and cacophony of colourful characters arrive to entertain local families with a celebration of the Sickening Stories of Stirling Castle.

On selected dates from 23 July-1 August, 11am – 4pm, a pop-up castle will be in place and a variety of free activities will pop-up around the centre.

The Thistles centre director Tony Wilkes commented: “We are really looking forward to welcoming people to the centre to be entertained and enjoy the activities on offer. These events are a great way to entertain the little ones this summer for free.” Centred round a pop-up castle, with three lively characters to steer the fun, Sickening Stories will engage adults and their little ones in activities. There will be interactive, character-led storytime, dance, and drama sessions as well as arts and craft sessions.

Roaming activity will pop-up around the centre, and includes a medieval dressing up parade, an activity and clue-led sickening trail, and dance performances.

There are three central characters leading activities, storytelling, songs, games and craft fun throughout the duration of the event programme: *Dunbar - Court poet based on William Dunbar. He will play a lute/mandolin and sing songs about the history of the castle - funny, factual and flipping sickening. William Dunbar wrote poems to entertain the court. This character will perform songs to tell the sickening history of the castle, and also lead modern day ‘flyting’ songs in an MC battle/dance off style.

*Warwolf - A knight and huntsman. The original Warwolf was the largest trebuchet ever made and was created by order of King Edward Longshanks of England, during the siege of Stirling Castle, as part of the Scottish Wars of Independence. This Warwolf will play games with a (not so giant) trebuchet, as well as leading interactive ‘The Hunt of the Unicorn’ storytelling sessions as depicted in the castle’s tapestries. He will also play jousting games and invite visitors for pickled herring for tea - a delicacy during the renaissance period.

*Allina the Alchemist - Lady of the Court. More of an enthusiast than a top alchemist, Allina is constantly doing experiments with metals and concoctions to try and discover the 5th element - she is determined to outdo Caldwell, who was the castle’s ‘in house’ alchemist. She will be sparky and spirited, and know many facts about the castle. She will lead the craft activities along with the dancing and dressing up.

For more information, please visit www.thethistles.com.