John Christie and the Decline of Pistol Making in Doune
If you look at the Doune Burgh coat of arms, a distinctive feature on it highlights an important object in history of the village: the pistol. Gunsmith Thomas Caddell moved […]
The Clan MacGregor and the Royal Visit of 1822
Amongst the papers of the Clan MacGregor held at the Council Archives there are bundles of accounts relating to the attendance of Clan members at the visit of King George […]
Stephen Maltman and the Fairy Folk – an accusation of witchcraft, March – April 1628
This post, another in our series to celebrate Scotland’s Year of Stories, concerns a man accused of witchcraft in the 1620s. Stephen Maltman was brought in front of the Stirling […]
The Unknown Hawkers of Balfron
In the Parish of Balfron nearly 100 years ago, the Parish Council was faced with a rather mysterious couple when an out of work man and woman applied for poor […]
The Battle of Sauchieburn, 1488, and the murder of King James III
If you go for a walk in Milton and cross the footbridge over the Bannockburn you will walk past a wee plaque on the side of a well saying the […]
A legend of Bruce and the Field of Bannockburn – Robert Burns and the Borestone
So, you must have been to the National Trust Bannockburn Centre? To have joined the thousands to pay homage to our greatest battle, where Scotland’s freedom was secured? But have […]
Stirling in the Dark Ages – the legend of the Wolf
If you pay close enough attention you can find ferocious wolves all over Stirling…no don’t worry this is not a rewilding project gone amok, but rather one of our proud […]
Stirling and the Legend of King Arthur
Stirling Castle, built originally in the early twelfth century (although the site has is likely to have been a stronghold since the iron age or earlier), and standing in its […]
The Origin of Stirling as a place name – what does Stirling mean?
Over the five days of the Off The Page Book Festival, this blog will be featuring posts under the heading Myth Busters, written by Council Archaeologist Murray Cook and Council […]
Grace Tasker and Catherine Turbull – Stirling’s first female Councillors
As we approach the local elections at the beginning of May, our Document of the Month focuses on two notable Stirling Councillors: Grace Tasker and Catherine Turnbull. Miss Tasker and […]