Walking of The Marches returns, with toast to stone
A centuries-old Stirling tradition, revived a few years ago, is firmly back on the city calendar.
The annual Walking of the Marches – restarted in 2014 after a break of around 40 years – took place on Saturday and included music, historical re-enactment and commentary.
Stops in the procession included Stirling Bridge, Lovers Walk, Kerse Road, Upper Craigs, the Back Walk and the Smith Art Gallery and Museum.
There was also a toast to the new March stone which was recently installed by the Albert Halls.
Guests from the Incorporated Trades of Lanark, Linlithgow and Irvine joined their Stirling counterparts during the walk.
Stirling Provost Christine Simpson said:“This was by far the most successful Walking The Marches since its revival in 2014 and it was wonderful to see so many people on the streets taking in the spectacle.
“The 800-year-old tradition is going from strength to strength and the aspiration is we can one day make it as high-profile a community event as Lanark’s Lanimer Day.
“This year we welcomed in guests from the Incorporated Trades of Lanark, Linlithgow and Irvine, and that can only help spread the word and hopefully attract even more visitors to the city.
“The introduction of the Smith educational officer David Smith as the procession Bellman and then the historical re-enactment held at the Smith were excellent additions to the theatre of Walking The Marches.
“The success of Saturday’s event means it has well and truly returned as a firm fixture in the Stirling calendar.
“I believe that by honouring our past, we strengthen our future and I look forward to seeing this important tradition continue to grow.”
The first documented evidence of Stirling’s historic Walking The Marches dates back to 1611 but the practice is believed to go back as far as the 12th century.
Officials had to inspect the city’s boundaries to check that they had not been encroached upon.
Inspectors, known as Birlawmen, would use picks and shovels to turn over a sod of grass at strategic points on the Burgh boundary.
Deacon convenor of Stirling Incorporated Trades Stuart Campbell said:“The event is getting bigger and better every year. Our ultimate goal is to make this as big an event as Linlithgow or Lanark and we are continuing to build on it each year. There were a couple of additions that we did this year to help things along and make it more of a spectacle.
“We had the Historia Normannis re-enactment group doing a skit at the Smith and they joined us on the procession. The Bellman was a great addition and was able to give little historical snippets all the way round.
“We perhaps had fewer people actually walking in the parade than last year but there were significantly more people watching the procession, which is immensely encouraging.”