Stirling Castle

An old cooking apple originally from Scotland and once widely grown throughout the UK.

Origin: Scotland UK, 1820

Pollination: Stirling Castle is partially self-fertile and would produce some crop without a pollinator but would benefit considerably from a pollinator.Find pollination partners >

British-grown All our bare-root trees are personally hand-grafted by our Nursery Manager and grown on at our nursery in Kent. We have Defra and Plant Healthy certification. More ...

Stirling Castle apple trees produced to order

Closing date for custom graft orders: 14 Jul 2025

We do not stock this variety, but we can produce custom-graft trees for you. Trees can be grafted on any of the following rootstocks:

Form	Rootstock	Price
Maiden	M9Dwarfing	£39.00
Maiden	M26Semi-dwarfing	£39.00
Maiden	MM106Semi-vigorous	£39.00
Maiden	M25Very vigorous	£39.00

Custom graft trees would be supplied in December 2026. More details of our custom grafting service here.

History and description of Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle apple was raised in the 1820's by John Christie, a nurseryman who also kept a toy shop at Causey Head, near Stirling, Scotland. Introduced by Drummonds Nursery, Stirling. First recorded in 1831. Widely grown in the 19th century. Fell out of favour with commercial growers in the 1920-30's when it was found to be damaged by lime sulphur sprays which were widely used at the time. Still a popular garden variety in the North and Scotland.

A large cooking apple. Round to flat-round shape and regular. Bright green colour becoming very pale clear yellow with a slight orange flush. White flesh, very soft and juicy and acid. Cooks to a sharp white puree with plenty of fruity flavour.

A tree of weak vigour with attractive blossom. Heavy cropper.

Characteristics of Stirling Castle apple trees

Use	Culinary
Colour	Green
Flavour	Fruity
Fruit size	Large
Picking time	Mid Sep
Season of use	Sep-Dec
Tree vigour	Small
Tree habit	Upright-spreading
Fruit-bearing	Spur-bearer
Cropping	Heavy
Disease resistance	Mildew - Slightly susceptible Scab - Very resistant
Suitable for	Northern Britain Wet Regions
Special features	Attractive Blossom
Pollination date	11
Pollination group	C
Self-fertility	Partially self-fertile
Pollinators	Pollination partners