Link to history is set in stone
Centuries-old tradition enhanced
A new March Stone, reviving a centuries-old Stirling tradition, has been installed outside the city’s Albert Halls.
It is the third of five stones funded by Historic Environment Scotland and is part of the return of the Walking of the Marches.
The walking tradition goes back to 1611 although a charter has been uncovered showing that it may date from the 12th century.
In those days maps were few and the only way to protect the boundaries was to walk round them annually.
Birlawmen made up from members of the Seven Incorporated Trades of Stirling, Stirling Guildry and council used picks and shovels to turn over a sod of grass to mark certain points in the city boundary.
These would be replaced by March Stones. During the 18th Century these stones began to disappear and by the 19th century none remained.
After an absence of around 40 years, Stirling’s ‘Walking of the Marches’ was revived in 2014.
And since then two March Stones have been laid – at the Smith Museum and the Engine Shed.
Bailie of the Hammermen, Robin Mair said: “It is a tradition we have revived over the last four years as part of our heritage and civic tradition. We are gradually expanding it year on year.
“The next two March Stones will be near the Cowane Centre and it will be the Guildry one as that is traditionally where the March started. The final one will be at Forth Valley College.
“They all originally marked the boundary of the burgh. The route now is more symbolic as the boundary changed over the years and the original stones were lost.”
The latest March Stone was cut and inscribed by Forth Valley College masonry student Corey Reid of Kincardine. The inscription reads: ‘City of Stirling’ and ‘Stirling 2018.’
This year’s Walking of the Marches takes place on Saturday, September 15 at 11am. It will feature a procession through Stirling city centre, with pipe bands and a re-enactment group which starts and finishes at the rotunda at the foot of King Street.
The re-enactment group will carry out a display at the Smith at 11.35am and there will also be live music by Rogue Feathers at Cowane’s Hospital at 12.25pm. All are welcome to attend.
It is hoped that Stirling’s ‘Walking of the Marches’ could become an event to rival that of Linlithgow and the Borders.
Two years’ ago a replica of the famous Blue Blanket – which Mary Queen of Scots and her maids of honour had made to mark the granting of the charter of privilege to the Stirling Trades on April 16, 1556 – was unfurled.
The blanket was created by Stirling and District Embroiderers’ Guild from a template taken from the very fragile original which is stored in the Smith Museum and Art Gallery.
It’s a tradition we have revived over the last four years