The Diary - upcoming news and events from 22nd May onwards.
Remember Stirling's big annual Street Party....The Marches 31st May
Welcome to Stirling Archaeology’s ‘The Diary’ , a weekly summary of all the interesting history and archaeological things happening round Stirling, including some of my adventures which finishes with a very bad joke and a poem so make sure you read to the end!
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Murray’s Meanders!
Saturday saw the Perambulation of the Marches, this where the Birlawmen are sworn in the Castle’s Chapel Royal. This year we added an innovation, Clan Chiefs became Marshals and for the first time in 600 years the reconstituted Clan McEwan unveiled its banner.
The newly minted Clan McEwan!
Then we were piped to Cowanes and toasted the March Stone there. Then we unveiled the newly repaired Major Arthur Forbes Memorial and then into the Church of the Holy Rude for coffee and buns supplied by the wonderful legends at Cowanes.
And we were very pleased to have another first…its only taken 900 years but we finally have 50/50 Birlawmen and Women! Finally we welcome a new Captain Robin Mair! We are always looking for new Birlawmen and if you are interested in being part of a 900 year old tradition email me…m.j.cookstirling35@gmail.com
There’s lots of images and film on the Walking of the Marches facebook page. Remember these are your Marches!
The next element is Saturday 31st May from the Rotunda at the bottom of King Street at 10:45…and your all welcome to watch or to join the procession.
There are still some tickets for the lunch left but I must have your order by 12 on Monday 26th. Its £30 and my account is M Cook, SC 804790, Ac No 01011810, Bank of Scotland.
murray
I have a wee favour to ask you all on behalf of the BID (this is the local business organisation who help to coordinate events in the centre). We’ve been talking about making more of the City’s incredible medieval past…we are after all Scotland oldest city, smallest city and its best preserved medieval city! So they’ve created a minute long survey to see if there is public support for fun things in the city!…If you’ve time please fill out the form.
and a trumpet blast…..my new book is available to order…£14 from me and signed m.j.cookstirling35@gmail.com. I push all my books this way as if you buy it from a book shop I make 10 pence…if you buy it from me a I make a couple of pounds!
Got a question? Get in touch!
The Marches will be the main event and will involve a parade and pipe bands from Port Street to Cowanes. All will be welcome to join including anyone with a banner (no politics though please).
Following the Marche there will be a lunch in Cowanes, catered by excellent local butcher Michael More (veggie options will be available). This will be £30 a head please contact me for more details or to book a place m.j.cookstirling35@gmail.com
Cowanes is hosting the 2025 Lord Provost Lecture on 29th May at 6.30pm.
The ticket link with information is below. All proceeds from ticket sales go the Lord Provost’s chosen charities.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lord-provost-lecture-tickets-1329701195069
Oh and this October will see the Science Festival and there is an open call for events!
Stirling Field and Archaeological Society.
The Society’s next outing is on Tuesday evening, 10th June, to Ardoch Roman Fort and Muthill Church. Although the ramparts of turf are barely discernible one can see that the fort was defended by a series of ditches that are remarkable for their size and excellent state of preservation. The site of the extensive civilian annexe can be made out. This was an important early fort on the road linking the Antonine Wall to Bertha (Perth) via Dunblane, Strageath and the Gask Ridge. Muthill church tower dates to the late 1100s, it was originally free standing like Cambuskenneth’s tower, but the rest of the church, which was rebuilt in the 1400s is now ruinous.
Meet at Castleview Park & Ride (free parking: FK9 4TW, M9 Junction 10) at 6.30pm for directions, non-members are welcome. Please wear appropriate clothing.
On June 21st we will be returning to Bannockburn House to continue digging around the site of what we think is a very early (c.1570-80) mine shaft. We will be looking at how the shaft was connected to a nearby trackway, hoping to find some dating evidence. We will also be digging a few test pits and exploring other locations in the grounds.
The activity is for volunteers of any age, ability or experience, but children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. This event will take place each day from 10 am to 4pm, from Saturday 21st June to Sunday 29th June (and from Saturday 19th July to Sunday 27th July inclusive). Volunteers can attend all week or specific days.
You must wear appropriate clothing and footwear for rough ground and weather conditions. Most tools will be provided but if you have a favourite spade, trowel or kneeler bring it along. A safety briefing will be given but all participants are responsible for their own safety.
There are toilets but no catering on site. There is car parking but no accommodation or provision for camping on site.
There is no charge for the activity but volunteers are asked to make a donation to Bannockburn House to help cover costs.
If you are interested, please indicate your ability (e.g. digging or trowelling), whether you are experienced or not and which days you would like to attend. That is so we can plan what we will be doing
Let us know if you are interested,
BUT NOT TO MURRAY, SEND AN EMAIL TO: Archeology@bannockburnhouse.scot
Joke and Poem!
So joke first….where did the Pink Panther go to University? Durham, Durham
Anyway the poem…as the weather is shifting it has to Scotland by Alastair Reid
It was a day peculiar to this piece of the planet,
when larks rose on long thin strings of singing
and the air shifted with the shimmer of actual angels.
Greenness entered the body. The grasses
shivered with presences, and sunlight
stayed like a halo on hair and heather and hills.
Walking into town, I saw, in a radiant raincoat,
the woman from the fish-shop. ‘What a day it is!’
cried I, like a sunstruck madman.
And what did she have to say for it?
Her brow grew bleak, her ancestors raged in their graves
as she spoke with their ancient misery:
‘We’ll pay for it, we’ll pay for it, we’ll pay for it!’
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Thank you Murray. See you later.