Protest at decision

A controversial hardline supporter of Scottish independence is planning a protest at The Battle of Bannockburn visitor centre.

Sean Clerkin of Action for Scotland said the protest will take place at 1pm today and described the centre’s mothballing until 2022 as “cultural vandalism”.

He added:“By closing the centre until 2022 National Trust for Scotland are in our opinion trying to silence our history.”

The NTS decision to close the £9m centre until 2022 has been criticised by Stirling politicians and tour operators, with some objectors calling for the popular facility – which attracted 44,148 visitors last year – to be taken off the trust’s hands.

Stirling Council boss Scott Farmer expressed disappointment that NTS had not consulted the local authority before making its plans public and MSP Bruce Crawford said they did not take into consideration the impact on the wider Stirling tourist economy.

Bannockburn SNP councillor Alasdair MacPherson said this week that the centre should be

“the jewel in the crown”of the National Trust for Scotland’s portfolio.

The decision to mothball it, he added,“is truly bewildering and flies in the face of stated NTS objectives.”

He continued:“I am going to contact NTS trustees and ask if they are prepared to consider working collaboratively with volunteers who would run the operational side of the business.

“I was involved in the community buyout of Bannockburn House, which is a grade A listed building less than two miles from the Battle of Bannockburn Experience, and when we put out a rallying call for volunteers we were inundated with offers of help.

“I am therefore not fazed at all at the thought of working with volunteers to help reopen the Battle of BannockburnVisitor Centre.

“I am very confident people from all around the country would be prepared to play their part in ensuring that this fantastic national asset is not mothballed.”