Following the succesful conference held by Historic Scotland at Stirling University (noted earlier on this blog) the online Caledonian Mercury has picked up on informal comments by John Harrison about the importance of the Stirling Castle Historic Landscapes (see link below).
These landscapes are unique in Scotland and of European importance as surviving medieval royal landscapes with rich surviving archaeology and documentation. As Ruth Parsons, Chief Executive of Historic Scotland said, in her introductory remarks at the conference, they provide a magificient setting for the castle; they were also key assets to Stirling as a royal residence.
The landscapes are not scheduled and have little protection from fragmentation or even development; their status as part of the Crown Estate is under review. So, perhaps now is the time to act. Stirling Local History Society has set the ball rolling with a geophysical survey in summer 2011 (see the Projects and Developments page of this website). There is a clear need to research the landscapes thoroughly and then to manage and interpret them for a modern audience. This could have a huge impact on Stirling, encouraging visitors to explore and spend more time (and cash!) in the area. And it could save landscapes as precious as any Crown Jewels.
If you agree, why not take a look at the article - and then comment or tweet.
http://heritage.caledonianmercury.com/2011/11/29/historic-opportunity-for-stirling-to-build-on-successful-castle-revamp/003286

I see from today's news that the British Library has now launched a new online collection of scanned pages of 18th and 19th century newpapers. Access is free though there is a charge for downloading individual pages. The scanning process is still ongoing and more pages will be added. http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/
 
This could be a useful addition to the many newspapers already available through the National Library of Scotland Digital Resources (free access to a huge range of useful data for anyone with an address in Scotland) (http://www.nls.uk/) [from the NLS homepage click Licensed Ditital Collections, reg

News of an intriguing new series of talks to be held on Thurdsay evenings in February and March 2012 in Stirling's Smith Art Gallery and Museum.
These talks are FREE and wide ranging including the legacyof lead mining at Tyndrum, land-use in the Scottish mountains, new housing schemes in inter-war Stirling and medieval landuse and resources.
Further information from [email protected] or see the attached flyer!

This event will take place in the Queen Anne Room, Edinburgh Castle, on
Thursday 24 November 2011 6pm -  9pm

It will be given by David S Mitchell, Director of Conservation at Historic Scotland. It will discuss the 3D laser scanning of historic buildings and sites and the possibilities that open up for remote access, use and interpretation. The event is sponsored by Historic Scotland.

Sites in both Scotland and internationally that have already been scanned include Mount Rushmore and Rosslyn Chapel. 

Tickets must  be  booked and paid for in advance by calling the Icon office on 020 3142  6799 Cost: Icon members £10; non  members £12; students and unwaged £5

The lecture starts at 6.15pm and  there is a drinks reception between
7.15pm and 9pm.

The latest edition of this ever-useful journal is now out. The following papers are of historical interest:

 'The Archaeology of the Renovation of Dunblane Cathedral Museum' by B. Ballin Smith and others from Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division.
'Stirling Castle, The Army and The Town c. 1640-c.1900' by Harrison (continues the author's earlier paper on the castle and town during the royal period, prior to 1603).
'Fallin's Gothenburg Public House and Stirling's Forgotten Swimming Pool' by Mair (whose fascinating talk about 'the Goth' to SLHS will be recalled by many members)
'Records of Her Majesty's Customs and the Port of Alloa Regarding The 1745 Rebellion' by Dix and Dickie (with implications for general aspects of shipping on the Forth at this period).

In additon there are the usual bird, weather and plant reports, a paper on the biodiversity of brownfield sites in Falkirk, one on moths in Stirlingshire and Perthshire, one on 'the return of the red kite' to the area and one on landslides in Kippenrait Glen with book reviews, notes  on past symposia etc.

The journal (£10) is usually sold at the Stirling University Bookshop and the Smith Museum in Stirling, Alloa Library or from Dr. Roy Sexton,   22 Alexander Dr., Bridge of Allan FK9 4QB Tel: (01786) 833409;  e-mail: [email protected]
For back issues and further information see www.fnh.stir.ac.uk/index.php

We have had an enquiry about Frederic Lamond who died in or near Stirling on 21 Feb 1948.
Lamond spent his early life in Germany and was a leading interpreter of Beethoven's piano music. His move to Britain in the early 1940s may have been because his wife was Jewish, or partly Jewish but our enquirer knows little about the later years of his life except that Lamond gave a recital for the Milngavie Music Club in 1944.

The Stirling Journal Index does not mention Lamond. If anyone has any further information or would like to check out further details in the local press or other sources, do please get in touch either by email or by posting a response on the blog.

I have, meanwhile, suggested that the enquirer should get hold of the death certificate via the General Records Office in Edinburgh, which will give details of place and cause of death. The Milngavie Music Club still exists and its website mentions the concert in 1944 so they, presumably, have records going back to that time. http://www.milngaviemusic.org/history.html







 

A conference presenting the results of the research on which the re-creation and interpretation of the interiors of Stirling Castle Palace was based will take place at Stirling University on 26th and 27th Nov 2011 and will include a reception at Stirling Castle and a visit to the newly refurbished royal apartments.

Further information and booking at http://www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/rebirthofthepalace.

The cost is £120 for the two days with discounts for pensioners, students and Friends of Historic Scotland. The speakers, many directly involved in the project, will cover topics from tapestries to courtly life, from sculpture to archaeology, from international comparisons to the local details of Stirling itself. And John Donaldson, creater of the new Stirling Heads will also be there and is certain to be fascinating and entertaining.

So, this looks like a good way to find out more, to pester the researchers with quibbles and to meet others who are also interested.