IT IS impossible to talk about Stirling without boasting about its incredible history, rich with legends and events that have shaped Scotland’s narrative, as it is where William Wallace fought and won the battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 against the occupying English army, and where Robert the Bruce’s defeat of another southern force in June 1314 at the Battle of Bannockburn secured Scottish independence.

Stirling's heritage dates back 800 years to the 12th century when the town first received the burgh title and was granted a Royal Charter, becoming one of the most important towns of medieval Scotland.

It was where John Knox regularly preached, in the Church of the Holy Rude next to Stirling Castle, and, centuries later, where Bonnie Prince Charlie arrived with an occupying force, in 1745. Stirling’s importance developed from the fact that it controlled the shallowest crossing point of the River Forth. The terrain to the west of the river was bog and marshland, making it impossible for armies to pass. The land was drained in later centuries.

A well-known saying is often quoted – “He who holds Stirling, holds Scotland” – due to the town’s key position as the best crossing point before the river broadens towards the Firth of Forth, making it a focal point for travel north or south.

And it is on the banks of the River Forth at Viewforth that the administrative headquarters for Stirling council is located and where, in a few week's time, another battle for power will ensue in the local elections.

The SNP are the only party fielding enough candidates to potentially gain an overall majority on the council. The other parties would have to agree to a coalition to have control of the council’s administration.

The council is currently being run by a Labour-Conservative partnership administration, with Labour’s Johanna Boyd as council leader, and depute leader and Tory councillor Neil Benny.

Boyd, currently the youngest leader of a Scottish local authority and one of only four female council leaders, has announced that she will not be standing in the local government elections. The Labour councillor was elected to represent the Castle ward in 2012 and became the first woman to lead Stirling Council.

However, Boyd said she has decided to stand down to focus on her family and her career in law. Benny is standing again in the local elections.

Speaking of her departure, Boyd said: “Taking this decision, which I have been contemplating for some time, has not been easy. It has been profoundly rewarding and humbling to be in a position to make choices that help the people of Stirling, particularly my constituents in Castle ward.

“I will miss my role in local government and working with councillors from across the political spectrum as well as council staff who are dedicated to delivering the best public services in very challenging times.”

Moreover, the depute convener and Tory councillor Callum Campbell won’t be standing again either – instead, Tory candidates Douglas Dodds and Alastair Majury will stand in his Dunblane and Bridge of Allan seat, contested by LibDem candidate Stuart Auld, the SNP’s Graham Houston and Rosemary Hunter, Labour’s Mike Robbins and the Scottish Greens' Alasdair Tollemache.

Believed to be the youngest standing in the local elections is Conservative candidate for the Stirling East ward and former Royal Navy officer Bryan Flannigan, 26, who was also, for a time, the youngest officer in the fleet and served aboard HMS Astute and HMS Victorious as a navigation officer and now works as a project manager for a large IT firm.

Former regional MSP Dr Richard Simpson is among those hoping to gain a council seat in the Forth and Endrick ward standing on a Labour ticket alongside his Labour wife Christine, who is seeking re-election in the Stirling West ward.

Following the recent Scottish Local Government Boundary review the number of councillors to be elected in the Stirling Council area has increased by one to 23 across the seven wards. The decision meant Dunblane and Bridge of Allan remained as it was, while Stirling North was created, comprising the current Castle ward, the university, Riverside and Logie. The other five wards are Trossachs and Teith, Forth and Endrick, Stirling West, Stirling East, and Bannockburn.

The Local Government Boundary Commission determined that Stirling Council should increase in size from 22 to 23 seats based on population and levels of deprivation.

Of the previous 22 councillors, 17 are standing for re-election. They include Labour’s Mike Robbins, Danny Gibson, Christine Simpson, Margaret Brisley, Violet Weir and Corrie McChord; the SNP’s Fergus Wood, Graham Lambie, Ian Muirhead, Graham Houston, Jim Thomson, Scott Farmer, Gerry McLaughlan and Alasdair Macpherson; and Tories Neil Benny, Martin Earl and Alistair Berrill.

Long-serving Labour councillor John Hendry isn’t standing again, nor is the SNP’s Alycia Hayes and Green Mark Ruskell, who is to concentrate on his role as an MSP.

Two Independent candidates are standing – Evan McLean in Forth and Endrick and James McDonald in Stirling North.