The Diary - upcoming news and events from 17th February onwards.
Finding new sites!
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.
Murray’s Meanders!
Saturday saw me walk to Causewayhead and then to the University and back round by Bridge of Allan a great walk! There are always exhibitions at the Uni but it always seems slightly not for us….nothing could be further from the truth and in the Uni library is a wonderful display of 1,984 copies of 1984 with all sorts of interesting extras all designed Hans K Clausen and launched on Jura where the novel was written!
Then to MacRobert……
The painting below is Macneil MacLeay from 1852 and is one I’ve never seen before!
and finally back round by the Allan Water for lots of beaver gnaw marks!
Stirling Field and Archaeological Society.
At the Society’s next evening meeting, on Tuesday 11 th February, Paul Sorowka (SFAS) will describe the results of last year’s dig at the recently discovered (16 th century?) shaft in the grounds of Bannockburn House. It pre-dated the house and old maps may tell us the routes that were used to get its coal to market. The meeting will be at 7.30pm in St Ninians Old Parish Halls, all are welcome to attend.
Exhibition Smith
DUNBLANE LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY - TUESDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2025
THE BLAIR DRUMMOND GOLD TORCS. AN IRON AGE JOURNEY FROM SCOTLAND TO THE MEDITERRANEAN.
The Blair Drummond Gold Torcs discovered in Blair Drummond in 2009 have become well known.
Dr Fraser Hunter Principal Curator, Iron Age & Roman at National Museums Scotland talked to the Society about this in 2012 and returns to present an updated and expanded talk on this fascinating discovery.
VENUE - DUNBLANE CATHEDRAL HALLS
STARTING TIME - 7.30PM
VISITORS WELCOME - ADMISSION STILL £2.00
TEA OR COFFEE AND BISCUITS INCLUDED.
Drymen Local History Society
on Thursday 27 February at 7.30 pm in Drymen Village Hall? Eddie Edmonstone will talk about two eminent Scottish doctors. Eddie's great uncle's great grandfather, Sir James McGrigor was Surgeon General in Wellington's army during the Peninsular War, and is regarded as the father of army medical services. His contemporary, Sir James Wylie was physician to the Tsar of Russia.
KINLOCHARD LOCAL HISTORY GROUP 24/25 PROGRAMME
Wednesday 05 March 2025
Don Martin: Last Train to Aberfoyle
Wednesday 02 April 2025
Professor Richard Oram: The Early Burgh of Stirling
Annual Membership £15 or £4 per presentation
Contact Joyce Kelly (Secretary) Tel 01877 387292 James Kennedy (Chair) Tel 01877 387201
For Subscriptions Katy Lamb K.lamb142@btinternet.com – Bank Transfers preferred
Loch Ard Local History Group 80-05-91 00370858
Got a question? Get in touch!
KEEP THE DATES CLEAR….SO FRIDAY 28TH OF MARCH WILL BE A FREE CULTURAL SHOWCASE IN THE CASTLE TO MARK THE END OF OUR 900TH ANNIVERSARY AND THE 29TH WILL BE A FREE PARADE THROUGH TOWN!
ALSO THE 31ST MAY WILL BE THE MARCHES…ALL WELCOME!
Joke and Poem!
xxx
The poem this week was inspired by the Central Library’s very good exhibition on Stirling’s literary heritage. Wordsworth was inspired to write it after his visit to Stirling.
The Solitary Reaper
Behold her, single in the field,
Yon solitary Highland Lass!
Reaping and singing by herself;
Stop here, or gently pass!
Alone she cuts and binds the grain,
And sings a melancholy strain;
O listen! for the Vale profound
Is overflowing with the sound.
No Nightingale did ever chaunt
More welcome notes to weary bands
Of travellers in some shady haunt,
Among Arabian sands:
A voice so thrilling ne'er was heard
In spring-time from the Cuckoo-bird,
Breaking the silence of the seas
Among the farthest Hebrides.
Will no one tell me what she sings?—
Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow
For old, unhappy, far-off things,
And battles long ago:
Or is it some more humble lay,
Familiar matter of to-day?
Some natural sorrow, loss, or pain,
That has been, and may be again?
Whate'er the theme, the Maiden sang
As if her song could have no ending;
I saw her singing at her work,
And o'er the sickle bending;—
I listened, motionless and still;
And, as I mounted up the hill,
The music in my heart I bore,
Long after it was heard no more.
and finally the joke…..
How do confuse an archaeologist place three spades in front of them and ask them to take their pick!
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Thanks, Murray. Another great post!
I saw the Macneil Macleay painting in an auction catalogue in the early 2000s when there wasn’t enough money to buy it for the Stirling Smith. I wanted it badly on account of the detail of the railway approaching Stirling and its topographical excellence. I’m so pleased to learn that the University of has since acquired it!
Thank you again for an excellent post.
Thanks Murray. I have unfortunately got another commitment on the night of your talk at Fintry. Also it is with Ceangail Volunteers I am helping out with on 29th March.