Residents’ party on as road closed signs go up
BBQ and camp fire add to fun
When gas mains work closed a busy Stirling road, the small community there saw it as an opportunity - to throw their own street party.
Residents of the nine houses at Craigmill - below the Wallace Monument took to the street and held a barbecue on a section of the A907 Alloa Road over the weekend.
The road crosses the boundary of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire Council areas and nestles beneath the Abbey Craig and Wallace Monument.
A five-week project is being carried out by Scottish Gas Networks and since it started two weeks ago, the road has been closed in both directions and free from the usual heavy traffic.
Traffic has been diverted in both directions along the A91.
Villagers threw their party to make the most of the quiet street.
Craigmill resident James Keenan said: “We are proud of the history and heritage of our little community. However, the Stirling population at large does not know where we are, or what we are, we have no sense of identity or indeed community, given that we have no road sign, place name, or identifiable marker to indicate where we are, despite featuring in OS maps from the 17th century.
“We are known by most as simply a conglomeration of old houses and cottages, sitting astride the A9 between Causewayhead and Manor Powis, that people speed past oblivious in their buses, bikes, cars, vans and HGVs - on many occasions well above the determined speed limit.”
The closed section of road has been renamed as “CraigMile” by residents.
James added: “Sunday gave us the perfect excuse to make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity to come together as a community, stake our claim to the A road outside our homes and to enjoy the uninterrupted, unpolluted silence and serenity of the views over Stirling and the Ochils.
“When I sent out an email suggesting that we take full advantage of the road closure and hold a street party and barbecue, for the day, everybody jumped at the chance. The only uncontrollable variable being the age old unpredictability of the Scottish weather.
“A barbecue at any time of year in Scotland is normally Russian roulette, however, one scheduled at the beginning of March was more than just a long-shot. Alas, the former residents and smugglers of Craigmill must have been smiling down on us, as although initially cloudy and wet, the moment the barbecue was lit and the corks popped, the sun came out with all its warmth and the blue skies bleached away the winter dreariness.”
The group gathered in the middle of the normally busy road with patio furniture as youngsters cycled their bikes up and down the street and cyclists and walkers even stopped off for a burger.
James added: “As the sun faded and the nights chill drew in, we gathered around a makeshift wheelbarrow campfire in the middle of the road and toasted our community spirit and its whisky smuggling lore, with a bottle of fine single malt, safe in the knowledge we’ll never have another day like this.”
The works are set to be completed ahead of the Stirling Marathon and Craigmill plans another street party to mark the run.