The Diary - upcoming news and events from 20th May onwards.
Week 21 2024 features Birlawmen and Women and Stirling's Newest March Stone
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!
If you have an event or a group you’d like to promote please get in contact.
March Stones and Perambulations
So Saturday saw another new addition to our 900 year old Burgh, we swore the Birlawmen and Women (first time ever) in at the Castle and were piped in …a great day watched by hundreds of confused tourists! Thanks to all who helped.
Tradition has it that the Birlawmen carried tools to re-dig any boundary markers and these were re-placed with wooden replicas to make it easier! Here is me desecrating our 900 year old traditions by playing one as a guitar! All photos from Liz Paton!
There was whisky at Cowane’s March stone and then we went to the newest March Stone.
and finally a bonus joke……how do you confuse a Birlawman…..ask them to take their pick!
Murray’s Meanders!
A swim and my youngest’s birthday party over the weekend…she turns 17 and has just done her Highers at the High School.
But (sorry Heather) even better was the my first three goslings over the weekend at my swim. Can you see the tiny wee dot between the pair of geese?
Join a 900 Year Old Tradition Walking the Marches (FINAL CALL FOR VOLUNTEER STEWARDS)
The Walking of the Marches 2024 takes place on Saturday 25th May starting at the rotunda at the foot of King Street at 10.45.
Further details can be found on our website. Stirling's 900 year old tradition - Walking the Marches | Stirling (stirlingwalkingthemarches.org)
We are also looking for volunteers to help with the stewarding on the day…everyone that helps will be given a unique gift to mark the occasion! please contact me for details.
Stirling District Tourism Events!
To book a ticket use this link.
June will see the 80th Anniversary of D-Day and the world’s largest amphibious invasion. Join Dr Murray Cook on a tour of Scotland’s most important archaeological site.
To book a ticket use this link!
News from Stirling University
Memoria
An exhibition of photographic works, moving image, overpainted photographs and installations by Audrey Grant: Artist in Residence 2023-24, University of Stirling
https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/art-collection/
Pathfoot Building, University of Stirling
Saturday 25 May - Friday 9 August 2024
Events from Stirling Libraries!
Exhibition Launch: Celebrating 120 Years of Stirling Central Library at Central Library Stirling, Stirling | What's On Stirling (whatsonstirling.co.uk)
and its also the annual Off the Page Festival and there is is loads and loads to do! Including me on the history of tartan at Bannockburn!
The North Third Spitfire
Some of you will remember the work we did the Spitfire crash site at North Third in January 2022. We donated some of the pieces to a local artist who has just completed a sculpture.
The YouTube video can be viewed on the web pager or via link
News from the Smith Museum and Art Gallery.
Murray’s Books
and here is a recent review of my most recent books all about The Bannock Burn
Joke and Poem!
The Jaguar by Ted Hughes
This is one of the poems I studied in school and I have to say the experience nearly put me of poetry for life…coming back to over 35 years later I can see its beauty and power but gosh it was a close run thing! It contains what I think may be my favourite line of all poem….’fatigued with indolence’.
and what you’ve all been waiting for the joke….
How many ears does Captain Kirk have……..three the left, the right and the final front ear!