Castle is `most romantic headquarters known to War Office’ says novelist

One of Britain’s best-known novelists was in Stirling in October 1939 as part of wartime journey through the country on behalf of a national newspaper.

JB Priestley visited Stirling Castle and gave what the Observer called a `delightful description’of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders depot where the soldiers `drill, eat and sleep among Scots history’.

The author of books such as The Good Companions and Angel Pavement said Stirling Castle must be the most romantic headquarters known to the War Office.

Mr Priestley said he visited the castle for sentimental reasons, adding: `During the last war when new battalions first arrived in the front line they were sent into the trenches for instruction with some experienced troops. The battalion that taught us all the tricks of trench warfare in 1915 was the A&SH.

` They were long service men who had been out in India before the war and have remained in my memory as the finest and most stalwart and soldierly body of men I have ever encountered.’

Of the young men at that time in training at the castle, Mr Prestley said they were `good lads, making lightning progress and so far with conduct sheets as innocent as their shining red faces.’

Meanwhile, the start of World War Two and introduction of the blackout had curbed people’s activities but it seemed to have little impact on the dog world.

The Observer told how a Bannockburn resident sold his black Labrador to someone in Kinross and took the dog to its new home.

However, the dog was back on the doorstep of its former house in Bannockburn next morning. Overnight, the dog had found his way a distance of 28 miles to his old home.

The dog was returned to the buyer in Kinross and appeared to be staying put.

However, a sad twist to the story was reported in a later October 1939, issue of the Observer. The dog was out hunting on the hills near his new home and had bagged 10 rabbits.

The dog was about to catch another when it plunged 85ft down a ravine and was killed.