by ssc | Mar 13, 2014 | Blog
John Muir travelled alone, 'carrying only a tin cup, a handful of tea, a loaf of bread, and a copy of Emerson'
John Muir is widely known as the ‘Father of the National Parks’. Almost singlehandedly, the author and ecologist was responsible for the safeguarding of such famous and vital habitats as Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park and many of America’s most untouched wildernesses. He is loudly and deservedly hailed in the United States as a conservation pioneer, visionary, and activist. But back here in Scotland, where John Muir was born, you could be forgiven for having overlooked him entirely. However, this April sees the opening of the John Muir Way, which should change that forever.
Early years: John Muir was born in the Scottish town of Dunbar, East Lothian, on April 21 1838. The third child of eight in a strict Presbyterian family, John had a less than happy upbringing and endured many a beating at the hands of his father Daniel Muir. Forbidden to study anything other than the bible at home, John read secretly, devouring books on natural history and other subjects into the small hours, while his family slept. In 1849, the family emigrated to Winsconsin in the United States, where the restless boy had even wider landscapes to discover – this time on horseback.
A new purpose: Age 22, John began University, studying an eclectic mix of subjects including botany, chemistry and geology, though he never graduated. However, after two years he’d learned enough for his own needs, which were to study and understand the natural world around him. In 1866 John was working as a sawyer, when an eye injury focussed his ambitions. John was confined to darkness for six weeks, where he contemplated the future. Regaining both his sight and his purpose, he soon set off on his famous 1,000 mile walk from Indiana to Florida, published as ‘A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf’.
John Muir and President Roosevelt camped together at Glacier Point, Yosemite in 1903
A figurehead for nature: Muir then travelled to California, where he lived for three years in a simple cabin in Yosemite. Scientists, artists, and celebrities of the day visited, drawn by his knowledge of the terrain and his skills of storytelling. Among them was Ralph Waldo Emerson. The essayist and lecturer offered John a teaching position at Harvard, which he declined. Despite his obvious reluctance to follow a ‘typical’ career path, John was writing ever more widely about his studies and travels, catching the eye of Century magazine. Editor Robert Underwood Johnson promised to publish anything John could write about the preservation of the Yosemite area, and crucially, helped introduce a bill to Congress to establish it as a national park. It was successful. In 1892, Muir was also elected President to the newly created ‘Sierra Club’, a conservation society protecting the American wilderness. John’s standing as a spokesperson for nature was secured, and he went on writing and campaigning until his death on Christmas Eve, 1914.
John Muir's birthplace in Dunbar will mark the starting point of the new John Muir Way
The John Muir Way: Back home in Scotland, the John Muir Festival will take place from 17 to 26 April 2014. The festival’s strapline ‘Bringing John Muir Home’ says it all; as a nation we need to get to know John Muir better – he is, after all, one of our most influential exports. The newly created John Muir Way will commemorate 100 years since his death, and will stretch from his birthplace in Dunbar to the waters of the Clyde at Helensburgh. The new path will open up the varied landscape of Central Scotland for all to enjoy and respect, as well as provide a walker’s gateway into Scotland’s first National Park at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. John Muir would definitely have approved.
For information on the John Muir Festival and maps of the John Muir Way see: http://www.johnmuirfestival.com/
- Photo credits: John Muir’s Birthplace: By Otter (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
- John Muir/John Muir with Roosevelt: public domain images
by ssc | Feb 27, 2014 | Blog
Spring, we love it. It’s a beautiful, optimistic season full of promise and fresh starts. Here are five great reasons to spend it in Stirling.
The Scottish Snowdrop festival holds events around Scotland in February and March
Re-connect with nature: For spring flowers, emerging bulbs and early blossom, take a leisurely stroll through Bridge of Allan’s beautiful Memorial Park, near the entrance to the University of Stirling. From there, circle the University of Stirling’s Airthrey loch to spot snowdrops, daffodils, and nesting wildfowl – those who love to dote on a fluffy chick or three won’t be disappointed. Entrance to the University is free, and parking starts at £1. Enjoy lunch at Clive Ramsay’s in the Uni Sports Centre, or in the Macrobert Arts Centre, where it’s well worth picking up an events brochure too. For those who just can’t get enough of a hopeful little snowdrop peeking through the soil, head to Kilbryde Castle in Dunblane for huge drifts of these early flowers in March. For directions and entry prices check this website. Don’t forget the Scottish Snowdrop festival, which holds open events in West Plean House, Stirling, Gargunnock House Gardens, Stirling, and at Braco Castle, Dunblane. The festival runs until 16 March, and details are here.
View from the foot of the Wallace Monument to Stirling Castle
The re-opening of two of Stirling’s historic icons: March 1st sees the opening of the new Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre just outside Stirling, on the site of the previous Heritage Centre, closed in 2013. Commemorating the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, this hi-tech new centre couples immersive 3D technology with character actors to bring the historic conflict to life for visitors. April then brings the re-opening of Stirling’s National Wallace Monument after a major refurbishment to transform its three galleries and visitor centre. The Wallace Sword takes new pride of place in the heart of the Monument, mounted on a plinth created from rock hewn from the Abbey Craig 150 years ago. Even if you don’t go inside, park your car at the visitor centre and climb the spiralling path up Abbey Craig to the Monument’s foot, for one of the best spring views in Scotland.
Spring produce: Everyone is telling us to eat local, and in season, and it’s true; eating what is naturally available locally is best both for us and for the planet. March and April will bring asparagus, cauliflower, purple sprouting broccoli, spring greens and a whole lot more besides. To buy straight from the grower, have a browse round Stirling Farmers’ Market, held on the first Saturday of every month in Port Street, Stirling. What’s more, they even post a list of stallholders in the days preceding on this Facebook page, so you can plan both your shop and your menu. You will find not only fresh veg produce but preserves, meats, fish, breads, cheeses and traditional crafts too. There are plenty other markets nearby if you’re out and about: Falkirk holds its Farmers Market on the first Friday of each month in the High Street, while Linlithgow sets up its stalls on the fourth Saturday of every month, in the Vennel. For more details on all these visit scottishfarmersmarkets.co.uk.
Andy Scott's stunning 'Kelpies' which will be officially opened to launch the John Muir Festival
The John Muir Festival: Better known in the States than he is even here, Dunbar-born John Muir is rightfully known as the ‘Father of the National Parks’. The Scottish-American naturalist, writer, and pioneering conservationist was pivotal in establishing many of the most iconic national parks we know today, such as the Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks in the US. April 2014 brings the John Muir Festival, (17 to 26 April) which will officially open the John Muir Way, a national pathway named in his honour. There are some brilliant events throughout the festival, not least the finale on the shores of Loch Lomond, but not to be missed is the spectacular opening, which will also mark the official unveiling of a new cultural landmark just outside Stirling – the Kelpies and Helix. An unmissable pyrotechnics and music display on the theme of ‘Home’ will bring Artist Andy Scott’s 30-metre-high horses to life for this very special night – an unforgettable way to spend a spring evening in honour of John Muir. For tickets, see here: http://falkirkcommunitytrust.ticketsource.co.uk/
A Stirling Easter: Nothing says springtime quite like the Easter weekend, and this year, you can spend it at Stirling Castle. On 20 and 21 April, from 12 noon to 4pm, Stirling Castle will play host to a series of family shows and activities, including Pickles the Bear, Hamish the Highlander, and storytelling events uncovering Scotland’s past. Take part in a medieval sports day, learn what it’s like to be court jester, and explore one of the most significant castle in Scottish history. Adults £14.50 and children £7.50, and ticket prices include full entry to the Castle. For details and bookings go to www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk.
Photo: Stirling from the Wallace Monument. Author: Mike Pennington [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Andy Scott’s Kelpies. Author: Ben Williams, kindly provided by the Kelpies team.
by ssc | Feb 20, 2014 | Blog
Robert the Bruce and Edward II battled in Bannockburn, 1314
It is 700 years since Bannockburn, a brutal battle between the armies of the Scottish King Robert the Bruce and King Edward II of England. Bruce’s forces were vastly outnumbered – some historians claim he fielded only 6,000 to Edward’s 19,000-strong horse and footmen. Yet the Scottish king was victorious, securing not only a period of Scottish independence, but capturing the imaginations of thousands worldwide.
The first Bannockburn Heritage Centre
In 1932, the Bannockburn Preservation Committee, under Edward Bruce, the tenth Earl of Elgin, presented land to the national Trust for Scotland. This, with further purchases of land in the 60s, facilitated the creation of a visitor centre to mark the battle site. A popular Stirlingshire tourist attraction for decades, this original Bannockburn Heritage Centre was closed in October 2012, in order to begin work on a new, state-of-the-art Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre, due to open on 1 March 2014.
A new centre for 2014
Visitors will be able to see the battle laid out in a detailed battle map
The new centre will harness 3D technology to enable visitors to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with medieval warriors, witness all the sights and sounds of battle, and learn the tactics of the two opposing Kings in an immersive ‘hands-on’ experience. ‘Battlemasters’ will take visitors through the centre and ultimately to the Battle Room, where visitors can lead their own armies or observe the events of Bannockburn unfold in a Battle Show.
Hi-tech meets history
Combat sequences are created by motion-capture technology with the input of historians
The 3D visitor experience uses the very same motion capture technology that transformed, for example, Andy Serkis into Gollum for Lord of the Rings, and created the Na’vi in James Cameron’s Avatar. But this is just part of the process – the technology is only one part of a complex jigsaw ensuring authenticity throughout. Fight choreographers work with replica weapons in genuine one-to-one combat to create the motion capture, while an academic panel of historians and archaeologists develop scripts, story boards and character profiles for the many constituent ‘fights’ that go to make a whole battle. Complex battle sequences comprising greater numbers combine motion capture with post-production effects to create the expansive vista of a raging battlefield. Technology and academic expertise are working hand-in-hand to create a visitor experience like no other.
Bannockburn Live
Marking the 700th anniversary of the battle, the new Battle of Bannockburn visitor centre will be a cornerstone in the City of Stirling’s Homecoming weekend, which culminates with Bannockburn Live on 28 and 29 June. During Bannockburn Live, around 300 re-enactors will recreate the atmosphere of battle at 12 noon, 2pm and 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Replica encampments will demonstrate how battle preparations were made, with working blacksmiths, kitchens, armouries and living quarters. Visitors will be able to trace their ancestry in the Clan and Family Village, as well as listen to the stories of around 40 Clans from Scotland, the UK and overseas. A food and drink village will not only provide visitors with the local flavours of Scotland, but offer insights into food and drink through the ages. ‘Storyville’ will tell Scotland’s story through music, song and story, while the Main Stage will provide a musical backdrop to the two-day festival, providing both folk and contemporary music throughout.
Through the re-opening of the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre and the large-scale re-enactment on 28 and 29 June, it seems sure that this historic battle – won by few against so many – will resonate with people worldwide for generations to come.
For tickets to the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre (open from 1 March): http://battleofbannockburn.com/
For tickets to Bannockburn Live, on 28 and 29 June 2014: http://www.bannockburnlive.com/
by ssc | Feb 13, 2014 | Blog
The approach to the Wallace Monument, Abbey Craig, Stirling
The National Wallace Monument is a striking tower breaking the skyline at the summit of Abbey Craig, a volcanic crag just outside the city of Stirling. Visible for miles around, the tower marks the spot where Sir William Wallace, the 13th century Scottish patriot, is said to have taken cover the night before he faced King Edward 1 at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.
The construction: Perhaps one of the best early examples of ‘crowd-funding’, the monument was financed by both public subscription and foreign donations, at a moment when Scottish patriotism was particularly fervent. The foundation stone was laid in 1861, drawing crowds of around 100,000 people and an artillery salute from Stirling Castle. Eight years later, an unmarried Stirling blacksmith named James Bean volunteered to lay the capstone in place atop the 220-feet tall Gothic tower – sparing the wife of foreman mason Duncan McInnes from watching her husband carry out the perilous task. The project was over time and over budget, so it was not without controversy that the Monument opened its doors to the public in 1869. Despite contentious beginnings, the Monument has, over the past 145 years, become both a national landmark, and a visual focus for the Stirling community.
Artist's impression: the refurbished Hall of Arms, inside the Monument
The tourist attraction: The Monument not only tells the Story of Wallace (and houses his remarkable broadsword), but celebrates the lives of several of Scotland’s most pivotal historic figures. Robert the Bruce, Robert Burns, Adam Smith and Sir Walter Scott are among those featured in the aptly named ‘Hall of Heroes’. Above the galleries the climb of 246 steps to the crown of the Wallace monument offers one of the most breath-taking views to be had in Scotland without climbing gear. Visitors can see as far as Ben Lomond and the Trossachs to the west, enjoy birds’-eye views of the city of Stirling and the Ochil Hills, and see right across to the Pentland Hills in the East. It’s no surprise that the Wallace Monument attracts around 110,000 visitors from across the globe every year, but even historical landmarks must move with the times, and 2014 is a big year for both Stirling and the Monument.
A new vision for the Hall of Heroes, with the Wallace Sword at its heart
2014 improvements: In readiness for Stirling’s central place in Scotland’s Year of Homecoming 2014, the Monument is to undergo several major renovations before re-opening in April. The Visitor reception at the foot of Abbey Craig will be significantly upgraded. On completion, the next focus will be the three galleries housed within the monument itself. Ken Thomson, Marketing Manager for Stirling District Tourism, says that the refurbishment ‘is a vitally important project – and it has been carefully planned to ensure that the new features will make the experience of visiting the Monument even more meaningful.’ Perhaps the most emotive refurbishment will be to the display of the monument’s most precious artifact – Sir William Wallace’s broadsword. Stone blocks, originally quarried from the Abbey Craig 150 years ago for the Monument itself, will be used to create a unique plinth for the Wallace Sword, to be housed as a centrepiece in the Hall of Heroes. It’s a fitting focus to the renovations, which uses the very best materials from the past to take the Monument into the future. Ken explains: ‘We know that for the visitors who come to the Monument the story of William Wallace is incredibly significant, and we want to tell that story in a new and captivating way, showing how the leader of the Scottish forces came to be recognised as a National Hero during the Victorian era, some 500 years later.’
For information on the refurbishment, re-opening dates and news updates, visit: www.nationalwallacemonument.com/
All photos supplied by The National Wallace Monument. Artist’s impressions by Campbell & Co, also supplied by the National Wallace Monument.
by ssc | Jan 30, 2014 | Blog
A Stirling Whisky Club member samples one of the 200 whiskies at the Spirit of Stirling Whisky Festival
Whisky: you cannot think of it without thinking of Scotland. Whisky is part of our culture, part of our national identity, and emblematic of many of the things we hold dear – tradition, simplicity, and quality. The tasting notes of connoisseurs even seem to echo the nature of Scotland’s rugged countryside. Malts are often described in terms of ‘heather’, ‘woodsmoke’, ‘peat’, ‘sea-salt’ and ‘oak’. It’s no coincidence that whiskies are often described in this vocabulary of our landscape, because whisky – perhaps Scotland’s best-loved export – is inextricably connected to our country’s terrain and crystal-clear waters. Closely linked to tourism and the romantic attraction of Scotland at large, the whisky industry continues to gather momentum, with single malts becoming ever more popular worldwide. And the future never looked brighter – with Scotland’s Year of Homecoming celebrating all things Scottish and attracting tourists from around the globe, 2014 brings fresh new focus to this most historic of industries.
MSP Bruce Crawford, a great supporter of the festival, with Stirling Whisky Shop Manager Fiona Sinclair
The Spirit of Stirling Whisky Festival
It’s a passion for Scotland, for whisky, and for Stirling that has motivated Stirling-based partnership Cameron McCann and Iain McMenemy to establish the Spirit of Stirling Whisky Festival. This annual event is fast becoming one of the most important dates in the whisky calendar, and takes place in the same month as World Whisky Day, which organises events worldwide. The Spirit of Stirling Festival brings together 32 distilleries and bottlers, offers around 200 different whiskies for sampling, and gives visitors a unique opportunity to ‘talk whisky’ with the very people who create their favourite dram. Cameron, who owns the Stirling Whisky shop, loves every minute: ‘It all started as a bit of a dream. Now we’re watching the event grow year on year, helping promote whisky and numerous Scottish businesses. We’re putting Stirling on the whisky and event map.’ And what is the special attraction of whisky that has made it such a global drink? ‘When you have a whisky in your hand you have a story in a glass that brings people and conversation together.’ It’s a view that’s echoed throughout the festival, by visitors and exhibitors alike.
Over thirty distilleries get the chance to talk directly with consumers
Talking whisky
Glenfarclas distributor Peter Donnelly has been involved with the Festival from its beginnings three years ago: ‘Events like this allows distilleries to find out first-hand what consumers are looking for and what the trends are; say, for example, whether they’re favouring an Islay or Speyside flavour, or choosing older over younger whiskies. All this feeds back into long-term brand development. But perhaps most importantly, we have the time to talk to people and educate them about the brand. They remember us long after the event – that’s a key way to do business in the UK.’
Giving something back
And this year, the festival is extra special. To mark the 700th anniversary of the battle of Bannockburn as part of Stirling 2014, Stirling Whisky Shop has joined up with Glenfarclas Distillery from Speyside to create a commemorative bottle to celebrate the event. The significant cask numbers of 13 and 14, distilled in 2007, have been married to produce 700 bottles and 700 miniatures of unique whisky, with the first and last numbered bottles presented in crystal decanters. One will be auctioned at the Spirit of Stirling Festival dinner on the 9th of May, with proceeds going to Scribblers Picnic – a local Stirling Cancer charity, while the remaining bottle will be presented to Scribblers for them to use as they see fit. It’s a heart-warming finish to the festival, in the spirit of whisky itself.
Tickets for the Spirit of Stirling Whisky festival are almost sold out already. Check here for next year’s dates and book early! www.spiritofstirlingwhiskyfestival.co.uk/
Tickets and information for the Scribblers Picnic can be found on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/scribblerspicnic
