week 48

Welcome to my weekly summary of all the interesting history and archaeological things happening round Stirling. The newsletter is one of two that I send out each week with the second being a piece of research which comes out on Fridays. These are both free but if you like what I do, you can support the expenses of my archaeological digs (no salaries!) by becoming a paid subscriber. Regardless I hope you enjoy the blog and perhaps you’ll come along to a dig sometime!

Thanks to everyone who came to the conference on Saturday at the Church of Holy Rude, we had about 70 people and it all went very and we hope to do it again next year.

Weil kent faces Stuart promoting the Marches….on the forthcoming 900th anniversary 25th May 2024….all welcome!

Mario guarding Cowane’s

Cat from Bannockburn House…an amazing woman.

Last week saw the last dig of 2023….the 18th century Hermitage in the grounds of the University, though this was mostly clearing vegetation and compiling a photographic record. Perhaps unsurprisingly for Stirling it has never been recorded. This is an incredibly odd structure built to look like a ruined tower which itself will have provided a viewing platform to look over the Airthrey estate towards Abbey Craig and the Castle. There are a number of elements over two phases of construction including a gateway, a staircase, a viewing platform and a fireplace that make the whole thing look like a smoking volcano! I’ll be writing it up in due course but here are a few images!

I and my friend Tom Christie will be talking about our new book…the first ever account of Scotland’s Christmas, Legends Cafe on Thursday 7th December 7-8pm, doors open at 6:30 Tickets here.

The joke and the poem…

I always have lots of books coming through the post so am always chatting to our postie. Anyway he said that there would be holiday cover for the next couple of weeks as he was off to Spain. I said how lovely and was he going to see Parcelona. He turned around with a grimace…..honestly everyone’s a critic!

Last week I went to a lovely evening of poetry led by Scotland’s Makar Kathleen Jamie and featuring our own Makar, Laura Fyfe in Dunblane. All organised by the wonderful library Team. You may have spotted the Council’s budgetary proposals which will potentially affect the service. Can I please urge you to inform yourself and make your opinions known?

Anyway here is the wee gem from Kathleen which was commissioned for the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn and features on the Rotunda at the NTS site.

Here lies our land: every airt
Beneath swift clouds, glad glints of sun,
Belonging to none but itself.

We are mere transients, who sing
Its westlin’ winds and fernie braes,
Northern lights and siller tides,

Small folk playing our part.
‘Come all ye’, the country says,
You win me, who take me most to heart.