Interpretive PLAN for the Robert the Bruce Trail in South Ayrshire
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The Association of South Ayrshire Community Councils INTERPRETIVE PLAN FOR THE ROBERT THE BRUCE TRAIL in South Ayrshire April 2013 SS Crome Associates SS Crome Associates INTERPRETIVE PLAN FOR THE ROBERT THE BRUCE TRAIL in South Ayrshire APRIL 2013 Contents Page 1. Introduction - Project Overview & Objectives 1 2. Trail Storyline 2 3. Public Workshops 3 4. Locations 4 5. Trail concepts (based on Trail Map) 4 6. Objectives - Learning, behavioural and emotional 7 7. Main Theme 7 8. Sub-themes 8 9. Interpretive media 8 10. Graphic style 9 11 Timescale 11 12 Budget 11 13. Monitoring & Evaluating 11 1. Introduction - Project Overview & Objectives 1.1 In November 2012, SS Crome was commissioned by the Association of South Ayrshire Community Councils to devise an Interpretive Plan for the South Ayrshire Robert the Bruce Trail. Sarah Crome is Consultant on the Trail and appointed John Finlay of John Finlay Associates to assist with Public Consultations and to advise on possible sources of funding once the Plan is complete. The purpose of the Plan is to Identify locations, storylines, objectives and outline costs so the Trail can be implemented. It will provide a reference guide as the Trail developes. 1.2 Working with Ailsa Horizons and the Community Councils in South Ayrshire, an initial locations report was carried out. This led to the preparation of a display outlining the proposed trail for two public workshops. The findings of the successful workshops are presented in this Plan. We have devised a set of learning objectives for those who will use the trail and devised themes which must be conveyed in all the interpretive presentations and the leaflet guide. We have then taken these themes and devised different trail concepts and how different Interpretive media could be applied to these. We have made suggestions of logos and graphic style which can be developed in the next stage of the project, when design work is carried out. A guide to production, budget and timescale are shown and post-installation care and evaluation are discussed. 1 SS Crome Associates INTERPRETIVE PLAN FOR THE ROBERT THE BRUCE TRAIL in South Ayrshire - APRIL 2013 2.Trail Storyline 2.1 South Ayrshire, alongside Dumfries and Galloway, is probably the most significant geographical area in the story of Robert the Bruce, and the Trail gives the opportunity to explain why this is the case. The impending 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn in 2014, has made locals and visitors more aware of the Bruce story. The years ahead will see many other anniversaries and we have an opportunity to turn people’s curiosity into knowlege and understanding of the Scotland of 700 years ago, how it affected the future of the country and how much has changed since. Ayrshire particularly South Ayrshire, could be described as the Cradle of Independence for Scotland in the 13th and early 14th centuries. King Robert's birth and return to these lands in his quest to regain the Kingdom make South Ayrshire unique in one of the most extraordinary stories in the history of the British Isles. We have the Opportunity to tell the origins of Bruce and his family beyond the Norman connection of the Lords of Annandale near Dumfries. This gives us a new angle on Bruce and particularly his Carrick connections, as well as events later in his life effecting other areas withn the South Ayrshire boundary. 2.2 The Outline Story The closing years of the thirteenth century witnessed the beginning of a protracted war between Scotland and England. The death of Alexander III in 1286 allowed the English King, Edward I, to exploit the divisions amongst the Scots over who had the right to the throne. Amongst these competitors were the Bruce dynasty. They and other Norman families had arrived in Scotland in the 12th century upon the invitation of King David I, who sought to strengthen his borders and Anglicise the structure of Scotland's society. The noble families integrated with Scottish Celtic dynasties and in the 13th Century, Robert Bruce, the 6th Lord of Annandale married Marjorie, the Celtic Countess of Carrick. The story of their meeting and subsequent marriage is romantic and intriguing in it's own right and very soon after their first-born son, the future king, arrived in the world at Turnberry Castle. It was King's Robert's multi-cultural background that gave him the ability to communicate with the many cultures around Scotland. His army at Bannockburn was one of the first (and last) to bring Highlands and Lowlands together in one common cause. 2.3 In the early years of conflict with both England and within Scotland Ayrshire was the stage for many exciting events. From Wallace's uprising in the Southwest to the young Robert Bruce's first steps to free his country; from Bruce's return to the mainland to his first few victories against the English Earl of Pembroke; from his friendship with his most Loyal Captain, Sir James Douglas to his Parliament that determined the Act of Succession.....all were made in Ayrshire. Most of them, South Ayrshire. 2.4 The Bruces in Carrick and Kyle made their mark in this area and we have the chance to bring the places and events to the fore, not just for visitors, but for locals so they can take even more pride in the place that they stay. From this storyline we can derive a theme to the interpretation and this we will do later in the Plan. 2 SS Crome Associates INTERPRETIVE PLAN FOR THE ROBERT THE BRUCE TRAIL in South Ayrshire - APRIL 2013 3. Public Workshops Objectives 3.1 To enable local interested parties and the public to have a say in this very important development in their area. How was it carried out? 3.2 It took the form of a 'drop in' meeting. We produced an exhibition of 7 panels, outlining the Trail proposals showing a map of the area with locations and a summary of why they are important. We invited people to add to the Map. The displays showed examples of work carried out in Dumfries and Galloway to show people what they could have for their Trail. They took their time looking at the displays then we took their names and a contact and made a note of their comments. Who Came? 3.3 A wide range of visitors came to the workshops, from local Councilors, MPs. local history groups, walking groups, environmental groups, tourism authorities, individuals, artists/sculptors, re-enactors. People from all walks of life so we had a good cross-section of attendees. Details are shown in Appendix IV What they said 3.4 There was overwhelming support for the Trail, with one or two exceptions skeptical that it would make a difference. The findings are shown in Appendix IV but to summarise.... 3.5 They had a good knowledge of the places of interest. For example, Nan McFarlane, Councilor has carried out a lot of research about the area of Troon and Loans at the time of the Bruces and the Earldom of Carrick. This, we felt, was very encouraging and confirms how much interest there is in Robert the Bruce and the potential of the Trail to make a difference to the people of South Ayrshire. There was a genuine realisation that it has implications for local businesses, residents, tourism, schools and the economy of South Ayrshire. We has visits from those representing walking groups and specifically 'OIR Ayr' (Opportunities in Retirement, Ayr). There is enthusiasm for encouraging outdoor activities with the Trail. Quite a few seemed to think that we had already prescribed the Trail route. The use of the word Trail generates preconceptions about the form of the project and this was the issue that was raised and had to be explained more than any other. Most people incorrectly perceived it as a map guided trail. The idea that each node on the trail had a set of spider legs orientating people to local POIs such as viewpoints, beaches, walking and cycling paths, scenic drives, visitor information etc etc was very well received. This might suggest a big map and a selection of local mini-maps in leaflet. 3.6 We received visits from individuals such as Barry Donnan of The Society of King Robert the Bruce. As a resident of both Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway, he is keen to promote links between the two counties. A visit was made from Girvan Primary 6. The children had looked closely at the displays and had a multitude of questions and suggestions. The consensus seemed to be for events and activities such as drama and re-enactment and these could arise out of the trail. A pageant has been proposed for the Spring of 2014 which could tell a variety of stories relating to Robert the Bruce and his Journey to Bannockburn - leading nicely to the Commemorations there. The Natioanl Trust for Scotland has offered Culzean Castle as a possible venue. 3 SS Crome Associates INTERPRETIVE PLAN FOR THE ROBERT THE BRUCE TRAIL in South Ayrshire - APRIL 2013 3.7 Girvan Historical Society were represented and had much to say about the story of the font at Kirkoswald. Chapel Donan has been suggested as another key place on the trail. There are so many Bruce related stories coming out that one of the challenges will be distilling it so that the information is visitor accessible. Councillor William Grant attended as did John McKenna, local sculptor and his family. There were visitors from East Ayrshire who were astonished that their Council had not taken up the offer of a joint trail.