James in the spotlight at Old Brig switch-on
Hundreds watch actor illuminate historic monument
Hundreds of people attended last Friday evening’s lights ceremony by Stirling’s historic Old Brig.
Scots actor James Cosmo flicked on the switch for the new LED floodlighting at the ancient monument.
After the lights were on musicians entertained the crowd for around three hours at the park nearby - with the finale featuring the actor joining in on a rousing rendition of Loch Lomond.
The work on the Old Brig had been overseen by the Guardians of Scotland Trust (GOST). Bannockburn’s Ted Christopher, of GOST, said this week: “Friday night went really well. I’m guessing there could have been around 1000 folk there all in.
“Everyone enjoyed themselves and James Cosmo spent a lot of time with people who wanted to have selfies with him.
“There was a really fantastic atmosphere.
“And it was great to have James up on stage singing along to Loch Lomond at the end of the night.”
Musicians at the concert included Benny Gallagher (Gallagher and Lyle), Gordon Menzies (Gaberlunzie), Ian Bayne (Runrig) and Bannockburn’s Ted Christopher.
The new lights had been supplied and installed by technical services company FES.
Friday night’s concert was in aid of the proposed GOST ‘Brothers in Arms’ memorial to commemorate the role played in the 1297 Battle of Stirling Bridge by co-commanders Andrew de Moray and William Wallace.
A model of the monument featuring Wallace and de Moray was unveiled at the city’s Smith Art Gallery and Museum in 2018.
Campaigners hope that the sculpture will be installed on the north side of the Forth, near the bridge where Wallace and de Moray once stood in battle.
Wallace and de Moray’s army had inflicted a shattering defeat on much larger English forces as they attempted to cross the Forth in September 1297.
Artist Malcolm Robertson, based in Fife, was awarded the ‘Brothers in Arms’ design commission in 2016.
Ted added: “Until now the site of one of Scotland’s most important battles has been largely overlooked.
“The Trust believes it is time to put that right and also to tell the true story of the battle and give Andrew de Moray recognition alongside William Wallace as being co-commander of the Scottish army.”