At the centre of a large rural agricultural hinterland that encompasses some
of the flattest and most productive land in Scotland, Stirling principally
functioned as a market town, symbolised by its Mercat cross, with farmers
coming to sell their products and wares in the large agricultural market that
was held in the town. Today, agriculture still plays a part in the economic
life of Stirling, given its focus at the heart of a large rural area, but to a
much lesser extent than previously.
With Stirling's development as a market town and its location as the focus
of transport and communications in the region,
