Volume 34 Part II April 2006 Newsletter No. 76 CONTENTS Page no. 1 Editorial Betty Roy

3 CFSS Winter Programme 2005 / 6

Reports from Winter Talks

4 Sauchie Tower & Environs Jack Archibald

William Wallace – 5 Betty Roy The Falkirk Connection

7 Digital Mapping Techniques Marilyn Scott

8 Menstrie Glen & the Wrights of Loss Jack Archibald

Gleaned from Dunblane Traditions (1835) 9 Betty Roy - Ordinary Life on the Muir

11 The Vikings in Scotland Jack Archibald

13 Prelude to a Rebellion Bob Snaddon

15 In the Furthermost Hebrides Jack Archibald

15 Kirkgate – a remnant of Mediebal Alloa Betty Roy

Dates for your Diary 18 Stirling Field & Archaeological Society 19 Dollar Civic Trust

Emma Halford- 20 Their Past Your Future Scotland MacLeod, Project Coordinator

EDITORIAL

The Winter Session, 2005/06, starting with the Coffee Morning in September, has come and gone. Owing to illness, unfortunately, I was unable to attend this opening event. However, this was reported to have been a resounding success. A big thank you to the members for their continued support at this the only CFSS fund raising event.

On the whole, the winter talks have also been given substantial support from the members. Audiences are slightly down on previous years – though not too significantly. We require to stage a recruitment drive – the easiest way to do this is for each member to bring along a friend who eventually may be persuaded to join.

As a founder member of the Society, I have found those 30+ years to have been full of interest and I am aware that this feeling has also been shared by other members. Is it only a pipe-dream to hope we can attract a younger membership that will in future carry on our worthwhile objective, i.e. “to promote interest in the environment and heritage of the local area and beyond”.

The lecture series for 2005/6 commenced with two excellent talks of local interest – Sauchie Tower Excavations – presented by Susan Mills , CFSS and Museums & Heritage Officer. Also Alloa Inch Research Project – a full account of the work carried out there and presented by Dr. Roy Sexton, CFSS and SWT and assisted by our Treasurer, Eddie Stewart.

An extensive write-up is published in the Forth Naturalist & Historian, Volume 28, priced at £8. Copies may be obtained through FN&H and CFSS.

Two further talks of local interest were presented in 2006. a) “The Completion of Colville Gardens Excavations” by Susan Mills and “The Lairds of Loss” by John Harrison, Freelance Historian.

Two further historical programmes were – “The Vikings”, Dr Andres Jennings, BofA, “The Battle of Falkirk” – Ian Scott, Falkirk and George Robertson, Dunfermline History Society presented the life of Queen Margaret. These talks were fascinating and extremely well presented.

At the time of writing, still to come, is Ken Mackay`s talk “In the Furthermost Hebrides”, 1

For the first time in almost 36 years we are unable to find a venue for the usual industrial visit – a sign of the times. Instead, John Donaldson of Livingstone will present a talk entitled Carpentry as an Art Form. Mr Donaldson is engaged by Historic Scotland to replicate in wood The Stirling Heads that once adorned the ceiling of James V`s Palace in Stirling. This will allow the original heads to be properly conserved. This meeting will be held in the Tommy Downs Room, Alloa Town Hall (27/3/06)

Compilation of the Summer Programme is nearing completion and should be in your hands soon. The weekend Field T rip –19th/22nd May – goes “South of the Border”! Topics of study will be Hadrians Wall (Roman) and Anglo-Saxon Northumberland. 22 members have booked for this. The accommodation will be at the George Hotel, Chollerford.

Some of the walks featured in the programme are old favourites – always worthy of repetition. I hope to see as many members, and friends, as possible taking part. Transport for the Saturday outings is by private car and usually there are some spare seats.

A trip on the Forth & Clyde canal is being organised for the 24th June, cost £8 per person. Please let Jack Archibald know if you wish to attend (tel.01258 215873). As well as a flyer, the dates of all outings are published in this booklet. Please make a note of these dates and, if possible, do come along and enjoy a pleasant and interesting walk. Non members and friends are always made welcome.

Council Member and our Planning Representative, Fraser MacKintosh, is moving to Boness and as a result has had to resign from the Council of the Society. He informs me that he will keep his membership up to date and come to meetings where possible. We wish Fraser and Irene happiness in their new home.

Betty Roy – Editor.

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CFSS SUMMER PROGRAMME 2006

Meet at Alloa Health Centre Car Park – Wednesday 7pm, Saturday 9.30am (except where otherwise stated**) Wednesdays

May 10 Along the Forth – Alloa to Cambus(EKR/MS) contact 01259 213954

June 14 Earl`s Walk ( EKR) contact 01259 213954

28 Strathyre Broch ( Erwin Campbell) ES – contact 01259 216878

July 12 Cowpat Wood Gartmorn (EKR) – contact 01259 213954

** 26 Argaty Red Kite viewing & guided walk with Lynn Bowser (01786 841373) £3.00 per person as a contribution to the KITE PROJECT (MS) Contact 01786 832248 ** meet 6.30pm Alloa Health Centre to arrive for 7 pm at Lerrocks Farm

Aug. 9 Dunnimarle Castle Gardens. Culross (SM) contact 01259 216878)

23 Braehead / Claremont (EKR) contact: 01259 213954

Saturdays

May 6 Drymen & Environs (EKR) – contact 01259 213954

June 24 Kirkintilloch – Forth and Clyde Canal (JA) contact 01259 215873 Cost for boat trip £ 8.00 per person Please let Jack Archibald know if you wish to attend.

July 22 Torryburn/ Valleyfield & Environs -- Walk along the Forth etc.

Aug 19 Perthshire – Elcho Castle and Huntingtower (JA) contact 01259 215873

Sept 9 COFFEE MORNING, SPIERS CENTRE, ALLOA 10am –12 noon

Weekend Field Trip: The George Hotel Chollerford date 19th – 22nd May (Hadrians Wall and Anglo / Saxon Northumbria )

Most outings require shared transport, stout footwear and suitable clothing. On Saturdays bring packed lunches. Visitors are welcome for most events.

Inquiries – Betty Roy 01259 213954 Bob Snaddon 01259 214840 Eddie Stewart 01259 216878 3

REPORTS FROM WINTER TALKS (2005/6)

SAUCHIE TOWER and its Environs

The first meeting of the Winter Session was a talk given by Susan Mills, the local Museums & Heritage Officer, on Sauchie Tower and its environs, a follow up to our visit to the Tower in August last year.

Sauchie Tower was built between 1430 and 1440 by Sir James Schaw who came from Greenock to marry Mary de Annand, co heiress of Sauchie and granddaughter of Sir David Annand of Sauchie. The estate of Sauchie had been granted to Henri de Annand in 1321 by King Robert the Bruce.

The main objective of the talk was the update on the excavations that have been ongoing in 2005. Excavations were started in 1984 and 1985 after the site had been acquired in 1982 with the intention of restoring it. Restoration of the tower did not happen but the ground floor and the great hall were cleared of debris.

Clackmannanshire Heritage Trust are now owners of the Tower after it had been passed to them by Clackmannanshire Council who acquired it from the original developers. The Trust began work in 1999 to repair the building to save it from complete ruin. The parapet wall was repaired and a new timber roof was constructed with a temporary covering of felt to help with the drying out of the walls. Steel bands were placed round the top of the Tower just below the parapet to stabilize the wall.

In 2004 a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund was awarded to the Friends of Sauchie Tower to continue excavations at the Tower and surrounding area including Old Sauchie House which was built in 1631 by Alexander Schaw, he was later knighted by Charles the 1st. Old Sauchie House was the residence of the Schaws until c1710 when they moved to the palatial house at Schawpark.

On our visit to the Tower in the summer and the slides shown at our winter meeting, we were able to see the amount of work done by the team of archaeologists and the local volunteers. A complete survey of the Tower was done and a mountain of spoil had to be moved to uncover the medieval courtyard, also foundations of a building. This was a large communal hall with service area (kitchen with large fireplace). Beyond the kitchen was a circular bread oven. Drainage was discovered in the area of the courtyard and beyond.

Old Sauchie House was a two-storey building and was partially demolished in the 1930s together with a cottage built on the end. Vegetation covered the whole area of the house and was removed before work could begin on the dig. The main entrance was on the first floor with a scale and platt forestair. Above the entrance was an 4 elaborate triangular pediment carved with a variety of motifs, including a panel bearing the name of the Schaws (three covered golden cups), the initials “AS” for Alexander Schaw, and the Schaw motto “I Mein Weill” and the date 1631.

Sauchie Tower with all the scrub and debris cleared still looks an impressive building with dressed sandstone and corner turrets. The turnpike stair provided access to all storeys and is capped on the parapet walk by an unusual cap house with a pyramidal roof.

We must thank Susan for a very comprehensive talk on both occasions and her paper on the subject is well worth a read. JACK ARCHIBALD.

WILLIAM WALLACE – THE FALKIRK CONNECTION – Speaker, Ian Scott, Falkirk Local History Society.

Ian Scott`s talk on Monday, 14th November, 2005, dealt with the lead up and the disastrous defeat of the Scots at the Battle of Falkirk, 1298.

Information on the early life of Wallace is scanty. It would appear that Blind Harry`s poem, written 150 years later took as its source the songs and stories of a larger than life hero kept alive in the minds of the people. However, it is on record that Wallace was the 3rd son of Sir Malcolm Wallace of Ellerslie and also that William`s wife, Marion, was cruelly put to death. Whereupon, Wallace and his followers wrecked savage revenge on the English garrison.

Many places in Scotland claim that Wallace visited at some point. Also, after Stirling, it is claimed that Wallace was knighted by an unknown earl and also proclaimed Guardian of Scotland.

The nineteenth century, through the writings of Sir Walter Scott, aroused interest in the deeds of the Scottish hero. Places that laid claim to the presence of Wallace in their town at some time, erected statues in his honour, based on a perceived likeness. Even portraits of this legendry hero were all of 19th century date. Lord Buchan`s massive statue, near Dryburgh, as well as that on the Wallace Monument near Stirling, depict an impressive figure worthy of the deeds attributed to his name. In Tales of a Grandfather, Scott writes of the great oak tree in the Torwood, west of Falkirk. It is on record that by the end of the 19th century, no trace of it remained. There are records of the memorabilia made from its roots, but non exist today. (Wallace is said to have rested under its branches after the Battle of Falkirk)

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After the resounding victory at Stirling Bridge it was obvious that Edward I of England would seek revenge. An English force of 88,000 men that included 3000 cavalry and a large company of archers, were encamped on the Burgh muir south of Linlithgow

On the morning of the 22nd July, 1298, William Wallace drew up his army on the slope of a hill somewhere in the Falkirk area. The site is described as an area with a forest behind, and a stream with a low-lying boggy meadow in the foreground. The site of the battle cannot be determined with any certainty. Slides were shown of likely sites. The speaker felt that the battle was fought somewhere in the centre of Falkirk, he based this assumption on neighbouring place names.

English accounts, however, detail the course of the battle. A vivid description of the Scots army formation was given. The army comprised four or five massed Schiltrons, each protected by a ring of sharpened wooden stakes, roped together. Between them were the Ettrick archers and at the rear, a small force of cavalry provided by the nobility under the command of Sir John Comyn, the Red Comyn of Badenoch. Wallace is reputed to have said to his army “I have brought you the ring, now dance if you can”.

Initially the Scottish schiltrons held firm. The English knights could make no impression on them. Many of their horses became impaled on the deadly stakes. The Scots cavalry, without being involved in any action, simply turned and left the field. WHY? Ian Scott explained that in the days of Wallace, aligence and loyalty were to the Chief and the family, rather than a country. However t he schiltrons still held fast until the English turned their attention to the Ettrick archers, who along with their commander, Sir John Stewart were cut down, everyone. Now with no cavalry to distract them, the English archers turned their attention to the schiltrons and fixed volley after volley into the packed ranks of the Scots. As the schiltrons disintegrated, the fight became a slaughter. Scotland`s army had been all but annihilated.

Soon after the Battle of Falkirk, Wallace resigned his position as Guardian of Scotland, though he and his followers still inflicted damage on English garrisons whenever the opportunity presented itself. After a short sojurn abroad in an effort to gain support for the Scottish cause, Wallace returned to Scotland – an outlaw and a fugitive. Betrayed to the invader, in 1305, by Sir John Menteith, English appointed governor of Dumbarton Castle, he was tried for treason and condemned to be hung, drawn and quartered, certainly a cruel death.

Visitors to Westminster Hall in London, perhaps, walk over a plague inserted to commemorate the trial of Wallace. This was installed at the instigation of the Labour MP. for Bothwell and unveiled in 1924. (Magnus Magnusson – Scotland, The Story of a Nation).

BETTY ROY. 6

DIGITAL MAPPING TECHNIQUES

GIS at SNH (Geographic Information Systems at Scottish National Heritage) Lachlan Renwick, LGF Co-ordinator – 28/11/05.

Mapping information does not just involve digital mapping but does provide access to geographic information in digital format. Geographic information has locational elements eg., space & place which for SNH includes sites, species, habitat distribution and behaviour.

Data can be changed, visualised & interpreted. One can ask questions of it, share it and store it. The process involves data capture, storage, QA (verifcation), integration, manipulation, analysis and display.

The history of electronic data manipulation at SNH.

Digital cartography late 80s Specialist projects “ (university, military eg., comparing aerial photos from the 40s, 70s and 80; showing distribution of blanket bog across Scotland using drift map & satellite info) something that surveyors could not do. Day to day use by specialists mid-90s Desktop systems 1996 Intranet system under development

Approximately 250 of the 800 SNH staff are using GIS so there is a huge under-utilised data resource looking for a friendly system for people to use.

Issues mainly concern data quality eg. accuracy.

The talk concluded with a demonstration of ArcView 3.2. Fascinating to see how easily data can be portrayed on screen showing relationships, extent and quantity of for instance SSSI sites in the Flow Country.

MARILYN SCOTT

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MENSTRIE GLEN and the WRIGHTS OF LOSS

In June 2005 I was given the task of leading the CFSS to Menstrie Glen and the Loss Burn and Dam. Not knowing much about the area and never been there before I was given every assistance from Betty who put me onto a publication by R.C.A.H.M.S., written by local historian John Harrison.

I purchased a copy from the local library with a hill-walkers map of the Ochil Hills. The day before the outing I jumped in the car with a friend and made our way to Bridge of Allan and onto Sheriffmuir road. Not knowing the road very well I parked in the wrong lay-by and ended up walking an extra mile or so, nothing to a fit young man like myself, enjoying a beautiful afternoon and pleasant scenery, with the publication and map in hand I was able to plot out the places mentioned.

With the reccy completed, the following evening I was able to lead the merry band to the Loss Burn and Dam and also the domain of James Wright of Loss, subject of the main part of John Harrison`s account of Menstrie Glen – “Well Sheltered and Watered”.

As a follow up to the walk last summer, we invited John Harrison to give a talk on The Lands and Lairds of Loss 1500 to 1800 on the 23rd January 06.

During the medieval period the greater part of Menstrie Glen was crown property, as was the whole of the western end of the Ochils. The east side belonged to Campbell of Argyll since the early 14th century, and the neighbouring property of Jerah, in the heart of the glen, was owned by the Cistercians of Culross until 1530. The Crown Lands in the western part of the Glen were divided into three holdings – Lossintrule, Lipney and Fossachie. The Crown Lands and Jerah were mainly used for pasture for sheep grazing. This gradually changed towards the early 17th century with the local lairds taking control of the land, eventually leading to the land being hived off to tenants to make up small individual units, to practice a mixed arable and pastoral economy.

The transformation of Menstrie Glen from a sheep walk in the medieval period to a patch work of mixed farms by the 17th century was a complex process and documentary evidence provides only a small part.

James Wright of Loss 1730-69 a prolific keeper of letters with nearly all the documentation of Menstrie Glen being accrued or made by him. James Wright inherited Loss at the age of 15 years after the death of his father. With Loss he also inherited Lipney and in interest in Freuchie in Fife. The Wrights had been portioners of loss since shortly before 1680. He studied in Edinburgh in the late 1740s, and considered other careers before returning to Dunblane around 1750. His Dunblane neighbours were the Drummonds of Balhaldie, a watering hole for Prince Charlie in 1746. One of Drummond`s daughters, Jacobina, made contact with Wright about some 8 books he had lent her and this led to their eventual marriage. They had one daughter who died in 1752.

In the spring of 1753, after extensively renovating the Mansion of Loss, he moved into the property with Jacobina. He was farming Loss on his own account and administrating the rest of his estate as well as Balhaldie. His business ventures made him a very rich man and in 1764 purchased Argyll Lodgings in Stirling, one of the most magnificent town houses in Scotland, which he extensively renovated. He died in 1769 of `apoplexy` after a short illness, aged 39 years, and was buried in the former Earl of Stirling`s aisle at Holyrude Kirk, Stirling. Note – Sir William Alexander, Earl of Stirling was the original builder of Argyll Lodging.

Wright was a man of varied business interests, employing a drover to purchase beasts in the highlands and to sell them elsewhere, he was also a grain merchant for a short time. He travelled the Uists in 1763 and London and Paris in 1764. Jacobina who ran the estates from Loss, in his absence, sent him reports on a regular basis. All these events were meticulously documented by Wright and it was through these documents that we know so much about Menstrie Glen and the Wrights of Loss.

John Harrison has made a complete and fascinating study of Menstrie Glen and James Wright. In this short extract I cannot possibly give a complete guide to the history of the Glen. His publication made interesting reading and his talk on the subject put the finishing touches to it. JACK ARCHIBALD

Gleaned from Dunblane Traditions (1835) -ordinary life on the Muir.

The through road from Dunblane to Blackford was an artery from South to North. The presence of Maggy`s Howf on the Muir must have been a welcome refuge to many a weary traveller – Packers, Drovers and Smugglers were a common sight.

An extract from “Dunblane Traditions” (1835) tells us of Maggie o` the Bog, a young woman who was proprietor of an inn and said to have been “a clever hussy and a furthy quean”. She is said to have retained her faculties right up til her death in 1804 at the great age of ninety – nine.

As well as having borne stout sons, she also had one daughter, Tibby, who succeeded to the property at her death. The house and yard which Maggy occupied had been in the family for generations.

The house was situated six miles north east of Stirling on the Muir road to Blackford. The gable of the house boasted pictures of a bottle and a glass, crudely painted by 9

Maggy herself. At this time the interior would have been dark and smoky, the roof beams exposed and covered with soot that when raining dropped on to the revellers heads.

Fishers, porters, carters returning south with their empty carts, and, gentlemen met in Maggy`s to have a drink without being too much observed (fly drinkers). Maggy`s house was the favourite of many from all walks of life. Even the soldiers billeted at Stirling found their way to the “Bog”. In spite of her popularity Maggy never became rich. Her sons preferred being smugglers of contraband tea and brandy.

Maggy`s son, John, was a noted dealer in contraband. On many occasions he outwitted the excisemen, though at times he did suffer imprisonment. Towards the end of his life, owing to his close association with alcohol he became an addict. In the “Memorials” his condition is delicately put, “like almost all who dealt in intoxicating liquors, he became much reduced before death”.

The “Bog” had never been a licensed house, and with the excise laws being more rigorously enforced. Tibby was fined repeatedly by the Justices until she was destitute. Tibby continued in a more secretive way until 1828 when old age and infirmity compelled her to abandon the “Bog” and whisky together, just in time to escape death from the old house tumbling down about her ears.

Tibby died some years later in Stirling and nothing remains of the Inn “Maggy o` the Bog”.

The present Sheriffmuir Inn is perhaps the site of the farm obtained by Tibby`s smuggler brother who had set up in opposition to her, therefore contributing to Tibby`s later poverty. BETTY ROY

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THE VIKINGS IN SCOTLAND

Extracts from Dr. Andrew Jennings` lecture of 13th February, 2006. (A talk in three parts – History, Archaeology and Legacy)

The Viking era commenced 790 A.D., with raids on the monasteries and churches in the north and west of Scotland. The main purpose of these raids was to find and control new routes south. The existing trade routes south via Denmark and North Germany, had been blocked by the Saxons. As the War Lords had to be paid , new territory had to be sought with a profitable return.

In 796 A.D. they sailed past Lewis to attack the west coast with a devastating raid on the Abbey of Iona. It was reported that 68 monks were killed in this incursion including the Irish warrior prince Slava.

In 800 A.D., the Orkney and Shetland Islands were attacked and it was there that they started to colonize the country - the Vikings weren`t just pirates but traders and colonists.

Raids on Ireland began in the 830`s and once again it was the monastic communities that suffered, the wealth of the country was in the monasteries with valuable relics in gold being taken. In 831 the Irish were defeated in a battle at Armagh. 832 A.D. saw three attacks and many prisoners taken and sold into slavery, another profitable side of the business of raiding. It is said that some even reached the Moorish slave market in Spain. The gold artefacts reconstituted to make jewellery for the chieftain`s wives, thus many valuable pieces were lost forever.

The Irish fought back, to regain some territory with some success. In 837 A.D. there were said to be sixty Viking ships in the Boyne and the Liffey.

From a base in Ireland the Vikings attacked Scotland in 839 A.D. and reached central Perthshire to do battle at Forteviot. A disaster for the Picts with many killed and thus reduced their influence in central Scotland, as a result it was easier for Kenneth McAlpine to gain power over the Picts two years later.

Disaster on the religious front was the sacking of Dunkeld and Dunblane Abbeys. By 847 A.D. the Vikings were in complete control of the Hebrides and the West Coast, thus giving them unrestricted access to the sea lanes.

Around 853 A.D. they sailed from Ireland, led by Olaf Laughlan (translated – Norway) and laid siege to the fort at Dunbarton, stronghold of the Welsh speaking King of Strathclyde – a siege that lasted for three months. This was an unusual occurrence for 11 the Vikings to engage in a siege of such length, their method of attack was a short sharp charge.

Attacks were continued against the Picts for a number of years with a good business going in ransom as well as the sale of prisoners into slavery. By 866 A.D. attacks in the central belt eased off as some of their leaders returned to Norway to become involved in insurrections there.

Around the same time as the Vikings were attacking southern and central Scotland more Vikings were colonising Orkney and Shetland and parts of Caithness. Much of the evidence about Vikings in Caithness and Sutherland is to be found in the Orkneyinga Saga “the story of the men of Orkney and a history of the Earls of Orkney.

Around 870 A.D. King Harold Finchair was uniting Norway and becoming a formidable force there. He was strong enough to appoint Earls to govern the different districts that belonged to Norway. In 870 A.D. he created the title of the Earl of Orkney to his trustful follower Rognvald Eysteinsson, he in turn, gave the title to his younger brother, Sigurth Eysteinsson – the Viking buried in the boat grave at Cyderhall.

He joined forces with a Viking pirate called Thorsteinn, the Red, and succeeded in conquering the Picts as far south as Moray. In the process he killed Meldun, ruler of Moray, and made his wife and son personal slaves to his family. A peace treaty of sorts was made, with the Vikings retaining the land from Caithness to the Dornoch Firth.

Life was not easy for the Viking colonists as the peace treaty did not last long, the Picts did not like being pushed from their territory. The Viking settlers lived in large, defendable farms called “Bols”. Skibo derives from the Norse Skitha – Bol, the big farm belonging to Skithi – (a common Norse name). Skitha was one of the main defences in South East Sutherland.

Thornstein was killed in an ambush by the Picts around 875 A.D. and Sigurth was Earl of Orkney for another twenty years. Sigurth died through treachery at his own doing. He made an agreement to meet the Pictish leader, Maelbrigte, to make another peach treaty. Meeting at an appointed place, each with the same amount of men. Sigurth, however, tricked the Pictish leader, and brought double the amount of men and the Picts were wiped out. The Vikings cut off their heads and as Sigurth rode back to Skibo with Maelbrigte`s head strapped to his saddlebow, a protruding tooth gashed his leg and gave him blood poisoning – Sigurth died days later.

As previously mentioned Sigurth`s grave mound is traditionally taken to be “the Viking`s Grave”, on the land of Cyderhall, a farm southwest of Dornoch.

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Southeast Sutherland has many Norse place names to this day (Skibo, Embo, Golspie, Brora, Helmsdale) and more. This is similar to other parts of Scotland colonised by the Vikings.

Not much archaeological evidence has been found in Southeast Sutherland compared with other places in Scotland. Graves of boat burials have been found in the island of Rousay, Orkney, and in the Hebrides, eg., Lewis, Colonsay and Eigg. Other graves have been found but earlier excavations have not been properly recorded and few remains have been found since.

“Vikings in East Sutherland”, extracts from a paper by Bridget MacKenzie.

JACK ARCHIBALD.

PRELUDE TO A REBELLION

Much has been written about the 6th Earl of Mar and his leading part in the Jacobite Rising of 1715, but let us now consider the event which led up to that fateful decision.

George Lewis of Hanover ascended the British throne on August the 12th 1714 on the invitation of the Whig government in accordance with the Act of Succession. However, this was against the wishes of the late Queen and her principal advisers, and in defiance of the whole population of the land, nine tenths of the people of Scotland and a large majority of his subjects in England.

Had James Francis Edward Stewart been able to make a move immediately upon the death of his sister, Queen Anne, had he possessed a military commander upon whom he could rely, …. with the genius of the Duke of Marlborough, who so often made overtures to him, or the Duke of Berwick who was his maternal brother, and sworn to his service, King George I would not have been able to enter London. Or if the Hanoverian entered, he would, probably, been bundled back to where he came from.

Queen Anne, on her deathbed intended that her younger brother, James, be King It was not to be and the chance was lost.

John, 6th Earl of Mar, attached himself to the Duke of Queensberry, and, under his guidance, he was sworn to the Privy Council in1699 at the age of 25. He had earned a reputation of “trimming” and for the uncertainty of his opinions. He was ready to take service under the usurping monarch, regardless of the fact that his father had protested, at the risk of life and lands, against this King. For his actions in this matter, Charles 5th Earl of Mar, was sent to prison, where he died.

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It must be remembered that times were difficult for the young earl. A large proportion of the immense family estates, and almost the whole of their once great wealth had been lost. Happenings had jeopardised the lands at Alloa and Braemar and John`s father had been responsible for much of this due to his opposition to the King.

The 6th Earl of Mar was the principal supporter of the union with England, but wrote in 1711 against the union. He supported Earl Findlater`s motion for the repeal of the 1714 Act, in 1713. Mar, if he had been allowed to, would have been a faithful servant of King George. This is made clear in his letters to his brother, the Justice Clerk of Scotland, in 1714. Also Mar had passed a memorandum to the King, which had come from the Highland Chiefs, stating that they and Mar were with the King. This showed what influence Mar had over the Highlanders

The King had made a decision to support the Whig Political Party and to destroy the Tories, the party that Mar supported. Mar was coldly ordered by the King to deliver up his Seal of Office as Secretary of State for Scotland, and he was told that the King had no further use for his services. He was also removed from the Office of Captain of Stirling Castle.

The followers of the late minister, Lord Bollingbroke, were pursued by the new cabinet with a short-sighted vindictiveness that was to result in the Jacobite Rising of 1715. The fault was with the King that the rising took place, for he should have seen that the insult he gave to Mar would prove fatal.

Since both the Duke of Berwick, (James VIII and III`s brother) and the Duke of Marlborough (James` uncle) did not come forward when called upon, Mar, who was no soldier, was left to take command of the Jacobite army.

The rest, they say, is history. The indecisive battle was fought at Sheriffmuir on the 13th November 1715 – but that, and what came after, is not the intended story here. BOB SNADDON

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IN THE FURTHERMOST HEBRIDES.

At the meeting of 13th March, 2006, Dr. Ken Mackay, CFSS, member, presented a slide show and talk on his voyages to the Inner and Outer Hebrides. The slides taken over a number of years concentrated mainly on the uninhabited islands.

We visited Eigg, Rum, Canna, round Skye to the Summer Isles, eventually to Cape Wrath and Scrabster, with some beautiful views of the coastline.

Turning back to the Outer Isles of Lewis and Harris, then on to the most remote of all, St. Kilda.

The return journey took us to the most southerly islands of the Western Isles – Berneray, Minguley, Sankey, finishing with a view of Castlebay in Barra showing Kismuil Castle We finally had a look at Staffa and Fingal`s Cave, before passing Tobermory and on to Oban. Thank you, Ken, for an excellent presentation and photography.

JACK ARCHIBALD

KIRKGATE – a remnant of medieval Alloa

Almost all of the old heart of Alloa has given way to various modes of re-development. The latest is the very attractive group of flats known as Kirkgate – a worthwhile addition to the street scene of the area and fits in well with the newly conserved 17th century town house of Tobias Bauchop.

However, one aspect that I found disappointing was the blocking off of the original entrance from Greenside. No thought was given to visitors accessing the Kirkyard, parking now has to be in busy Broad Street. An opportunity lost in preserving the whole of a medieval, cobbled road.

Of medieval Kirkgate what remains? -- the boundary wall of the ancient St. Mungos kirkyard, along this wall there is evidence of where dwellings existed and it was here that a Saturday market was held. Within the Kirkyard, the remains of the 17th Parish church of St, Mungo , the Mar Mausoleum and the aforementioned Tobias Bauchop`s house. These are all listed and should be preserved for posterity.

Some time ago, committee member, Joyce Reekie, passed to me a letter and photos showing buildings that existed in the area in the 1970s. These had been sent to her by James McAslan of Edinburgh, whose grandfather William Alexander was the Lodge Keeper at the cemetery.

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Note the doorway surround, the stone surround of the doorway is still preserved in the Kirkgate development and provides an entrance into an enclosed drying green.

Above the headstones there is an earlier house, dating from 1683, demolished 1970s. This was a substantial building, L-shaped, that had been enlarged at a later date by the Crichton. Mrs Betty Crichton, CFSS member, provided the following information. Her husband`s maternal grandfather was Archibald Moir, and lived there in 1885 – he was a coppersmith. The house was still inhabited by a daughter of the family, until her death in 1972 and the house was subsequently demolished.

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Lady on deckchair is Robina Alexander, wife of the lodge keeper - 1934. Note that Patons “White Building” is not yet built. The building in the picture is the 1904 William Kerr, office building, William Kerr subsequently built the warehouse building in 1936.

The man and boy picture if of William Alexander and grandson, James McAslan, 1936. BETTY ROY

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Dates for your Diary

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Their Past Your Future Scotland

Their Past Your Future Scotland, a programme of events to commemorate sixty years since the end of the Second World War, has been a great success in Clackmannanshire.

Their Lives Changed Ours, an Imperial War Museum touring exhibition, explored how the Second World War changed the people and the landscape of Scotland forever, and was shown in conjunction with a related regional exhibition and events programme. The events programme included a Big Band night, wartime films, tea dances and lectures.

Our War was our own regional exhibition and was based on the reminiscences of people from Clackmannanshire and Stirlingshire who lived through the war. Through the stories of people on active service, in reserved occupations and others living on the Home Front, the exhibition showed how they responded to war and the impact it had on their lives. Both exhibitions were shown at The Smith Art Gallery and Museum from December through to February. The Imperial War Museum has since donated the touring exhibition to Clackmannanshire Council Museum and Heritage Service and we hope to be able to display it in the next few months in a unit at Sterling Mills Retail Village. As an permanent record of the project, a commemorative DVD and booklet of the Our War exhibition are to be produced.

Emma Halford-MacLeod, Project Coordinator, Their Past Your Future Clackmannanshire

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