What's on in Stirling: Week 19 2024
Welcome to Stirling Archaeology’s Monday blog, a weekly summary of all the interesting history and archaeological things happening round Stirling which finishes with a very bad joke and a poem so make sure you read to the end! A second blog is sent on Friday focussing on research. Both are compiled by Dr Murray Cook and are generally free but if you like what I do and want to help please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Regardless we hope you enjoy the blogs and perhaps you’ll come along to a dig sometime!
I am wabbit today…I’ve spent 4 days digging…and thanks to Dom and Peter who joined me on each day! Tuesday saw us looking for the Leper Colony at Allan Park…we didn’t find it and then Thursday to Saturday saw us up Dumyat looking for a new entrance…which we did find and more on that to come but let me show what I think its the original route to the fort.
This route takes you from the south and you end up at the western side where there is a natural arena and what I think is a new outer entrance.
Now, I am going to more formally write this up in due course but work confirmed the presence of a new entrance and quite scabby paving which was associated with an artificial mound (to the right in this picture). Quite what is in the mound is unknown but we hope to find out next year!
Join a 900 Year Old Tradition Walking the Marches
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)
The week before on the 18th of May (11-1)we will be checking the boundaries and swearing the Birlawmen in the Chapel Royal in the Castle and this is open to all but must be booked cookm@stirling.gov.uk
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 Field and Archaeological Society.
The Society’s next outing is a visit to Kilmartin Glen on Saturday 14 th May. The museum (entry £5.50) is a fantastic treasure house showcasing finds from the area, which is famous in archaeological circles for the number of cairns that dot the glen; two can be seen from the museum! Afterwards we’ll continue to Dunadd, a spectacular prehistoric and Dark Age fort at the south end of the glen before returning home via a standing stone circle, a chambered cairn and /or the restored crofting village of Auchendrain. We will be meeting at the Castleview Park & Ride (free: FK9 4TW, M9 Junction 10) at 09:30 for any last-minute instructions. Please wear appropriate clothing and bring a packed lunch. (Leader Roddy Ross, 01786 479516)
That trip will be followed on Tuesday 14 th May, meeting at 18.30 at the Park & Ride, before travelling to Falkirk to see the ‘Staircase’ of locks, which was the link between the Union and Forth & Clyde Canals before the Falkirk Wheel was built. It comprised a series of 12 adjacent locks, each with its own pound, and we will examine the remains of 2 partially excavated locks and the connection to both canals. This major engineering achievement will be followed by a visit to another - the Antonine Wall – the best preserved section of which is nearby at Watling Lodge. The visit involves a walk of about 1 mile and contains two gentle climbs of about 10ft in height. (Leader Colin Davenport 07780 532933)
Non - members are welcome on both outings.
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
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.
https://www.northfieldartsandcrafts.co.uk/ms-spitfire.html
The YouTube video can be viewed on the web pager or via link
Back Walk Litter Pick Up 11th May 10-12
I’ll be helping organise a litter pick up on the Back Walk and explaining some of the history on the landscape..from Henry VIIIth to King Arthur…all welcome, email me to book a place cookm@stirling.gov.uk
Stirling’s Lost Roman Fort
We’ll be doing another batch of work on the afternoon of 27th May and the dig 20th to 21st June. Let me know if your interested!
Not too many bees in my garden this morning so this poem, an old favourite is perhaps a prayer for more….
The Lake Isle of Innisfree
I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet’s wings.
I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart’s core.
and the joke…
Which university did the Pink Panther go to ?
Da rum… da rum, da rum, da rum, da rum….