Heritage group revisits zoo
The Elephant, the Marquis and the Castle is the intriguing title of Balfron Heritage Group’s March talk.
Members and visitors will be able to learn more about the history of Mugdock Country Park, as well as the work of the ranger service, at the event nextThursday.
The Glasgow Herald in August 1949 said Craigend Castle Zoo, established by father and son team Andrew and William Wilson at what is now the site of Mugdock Country Park, had in its first four months become“the supreme attraction to visitors and tourists to the district”.
Balfron Heritage spokesman Pat Thomson said:“An estimated 37,000 people had visited on its first day, leading the Herald to say the crowds heading up Mugdock Road made it look like the route to Hampden on Cup Final Day.
“The zoo boasted 2000 animals including what at the time was the largest elephant in captivity, plus an adventure playground for children complete with motorboats and a miniature railway.”
Alan McBride, of the Countryside Ranger Service, will give the talk at 7.30pm on Thursday, March 12 in the
McLintock Hall Balfron. The talk is free to members and £2 for visitors, which includes tea.
Balfron Heritage Members are also being reminded they are invited to the launch of the exhibition marking the 200th anniversary of the Radical Uprising in Scotland at 7pm on Friday March 27 in Balfron Library.
The exhibition is open to the public on Saturday, March 28 and will run until April 25 during normal library opening hours. A full programme of festival events is available on the Balfron Heritage website and in Stirlingshire libraries.