Lego tells history tale
Million bricks in exhibition
Stirling Castle is to host an exhibition which tells the history of the Jacobites - using Lego.
Called the ‘Jacobite Risings: The Fight for Britain’s Throne’, the display depicts key locations involved in the Jacobite story using about a million Lego bricks and featuring more than 2,000 soldiers.
The model includes detailed miniature recreations of two sites in the care of Historic Environment Scotland (HES): the medieval tower house Corgarff Castle and Ruthven Barracks, the bulwark against the Jacobites built by George II’s government in the early 1700s.
The exhibition – on display for the first time ever in Scotland – will run until Friday, February 2.
The six metre by three metre model has been crafted by Brick to the Past, a team of volunteer Lego and history enthusiasts who specialise in creating historically themed Lego models.
Their spokesman Dan Harris said: “As 2017 is Scotland’s year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, we wanted to join in with the celebrations and struck upon the Jacobite Risings as great topic that represented a pivotal moment in not only Scottish history, but in British history too.
“We had a great time designing and building its different parts, from the Jacobites themselves to the major buildings.
“It also gave us an opportunity to take on Scotland’s dramatic landscape, so we have built mountains, rivers, forests and animals that are designed to represent those of the Highlands.
Stirling Castle executive manager Liz Grant said: “Lego offers a fun way to engage younger audiences with our historic sites and I’m sure it will prove popular with ‘big kids’ too.”
The exhibition will be on display in the Queen’s Outer Hall and entry is included in the normal Stirling Castle admission price.
Residents living within the Old Burgh boundary of Stirling are entitled to free admission but each person has to produce proof of name and address in the form of a utility bill, driving licence, etc, when obtaining their tickets.
A fun way to engage younger audiences