Stirling’s Old Bridge
For March’s Document of the Month we are looking at Stirling’s Old Bridge as part of our focus on waterways in this second Scottish Year of Coasts and Waters. The […]
Stirling Council Archives
Photographs of Stirling Harbour c.1890
As 2021 is Scotland’s second Year of Coasts and Waters, for February’s Document of the Month, we are highlighting the beautiful glass plate positive images we have of Stirling’s Harbour […]
The ferry crossing over the River Forth at Cambuskenneth
Visit Scotland has extended Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters for another year, so for the first Document of the Month of 2021, we are once more focusing on the […]
Log Book of the Honourable East India Company ship ‘The Lady Melville’ 1820 – 1821
This remarkable volume is held at the Council Archives as part of the Stirling Burgh collection. It is not clear why this record ended up being held by the Council, […]
The execution of John Baird and Andrew Hardie – 8th September 1820
Today, we commemorate the brave sacrifice made by John Baird and Andrew Hardie, who stood up for the rights of the common man 200 years ago. Baird and Hardie were […]
The execution of Baird and Hardie – publicity
This letter, written on the 6th September 1820, two days before the execution, is to William Galbraith from John Wright of the Glasgow Chronicle, asking that he be secured a […]
The execution of Baird and Hardie – a job done
William Galbraith comes across as a cold-hearted individual in this letter, describing his game of chess and fretting about legal documents in between the discussion of the final arrangments for […]
The execution of Baird and Hardie – the need for secrecy
On the 4th September 1820, William Galbraith is writing to Alexander Littlejohn about finalising the arrangements for engaging the hangman and decapitator. he is to meet the medical student that […]
The execution of Baird and Hardie – the executioner is engaged
Both Clerks wrote to each other on the 3rd September 1820, Galbraith was still in Edinburgh chasing his ex-soldier to see if he would act as executioner. Meanwhile, Littlejohn was […]
The execution of Baird and Hardie – Negotiations in Edinburgh
On the 2nd September 1820, William Galbraith is still in Edinburgh trying to find a cheaper hangman than the one available in Glasgow. He has been unable to track down […]