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 […]
Stirling
The Jacobites Advance Down the River Forth
On 23rd July 1745, Prince Charles Edward Stuart landed on Eriskay Island. His arrival would signal another chance for the Jacobites to restore the House of Stuart to the British […]
Stirling Water Works – Reservoir and Works at Touch 1847 – 1947
Although man made, reservoirs are an important part of Scotland’s landscape. They not only provide water to the populace, they also act as a good habitat for wildlife and provide […]
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 […]
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 […]