Buildings of the Rock: Stirling Stone Survey Project
This summer the Stirling Local History Society has an opportunity to work with the British Geological Survey and Scotland's Urban Past, to identify, source and map the stone used in the buildings of Stirling. Prior to the adoption of man made materials (brick and concrete) for construction in the early 20th century local quarries supplied the town with building stone. Some of these quarries were within the town such as Queen Street, the Craigs, and Barnton Street, others could be found outwith at Raploch, Abbey Craig, Catcraig (Bannockburn) and Drumhead (Denny). The development of these quarries was closely associated with the expansion of Stirling through the course of the 19th century and were affected by the improvement of roads and the arrival of the railway.
The stone provided by these local quarries contributes to the unique character of the built environment of Stirling and our sense of identity. The closure of these quarries, modern developments, and the use of imported materials means that the preservation of this character is at risk. Identifying and sourcing the stone used in Stirling's buildings is therefore essential to the process of stone matching, conservation, and the long term preservation of historic structures.
The project will map the stone used in the buildings of Stirling and provide historical information on local quarries, builders and architects, and the history of buildings and streets. This information will be added to the national record and the SLHS website.
We will be holding training events with experts from BGS and SUP in the identification of stone types, architecture, photographic recording, and archival research. This may also include guided walks around the town and a visit to the Engine Shed (Historic Environment Scotland), Scotland's first building stone conservation centre.
We are looking for volunteers to help with the field survey and archival research.
If you are interested in taking part in the project or any event over the summer, or know someone who would be, please contact SLHS (enquire@stirling-LHS.org) or Stephen Digney (sdigney@hotmail.com).
The stone provided by these local quarries contributes to the unique character of the built environment of Stirling and our sense of identity. The closure of these quarries, modern developments, and the use of imported materials means that the preservation of this character is at risk. Identifying and sourcing the stone used in Stirling's buildings is therefore essential to the process of stone matching, conservation, and the long term preservation of historic structures.
The project will map the stone used in the buildings of Stirling and provide historical information on local quarries, builders and architects, and the history of buildings and streets. This information will be added to the national record and the SLHS website.
We will be holding training events with experts from BGS and SUP in the identification of stone types, architecture, photographic recording, and archival research. This may also include guided walks around the town and a visit to the Engine Shed (Historic Environment Scotland), Scotland's first building stone conservation centre.
We are looking for volunteers to help with the field survey and archival research.
If you are interested in taking part in the project or any event over the summer, or know someone who would be, please contact SLHS (enquire@stirling-LHS.org) or Stephen Digney (sdigney@hotmail.com).