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Daily Record
22-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Restored memorial to be unveiled in Stirling this weekend to mark 250th anniversary of American War of Independence
The city's connection with the major world conflict is marked with a memorial in the Old Town. On the 250th anniversary of the start of the American War of Independence, Scotland's fascinating connection to this major world event is being marked with the unveiling of a restored memorial in Stirling's old town cemetery. In the medieval section of the cemetery stands a monument to Major Arthur Forbes and the military service of the Forbes family. Major Forbes, who died at the age of 78 in 1831, was in his Majesty's North Carolina Highlanders, a unit formed by Scottish settlers in the then British colony which would become part of the United States. Many of them were former Jacobites, including Flora MacDonald (famous for helping Bonnie Prince Charlie escape following Culloden), who had been driven to exile for their loyalty to the Stuart line. In North Carolina, Flora helped summon the clans in support of the crown during the war, but the unit suffered a major defeat at the hands of the North Carolina Provincial Congress militia at the Battle of Moore Creek Bridge, one of the turning points in the conflict. The battle, which took place on 27 February 1776, included the last recorded Highland Charge, with some of the defeated unit deported back to Scotland in the aftermath. As part of this unit, Forbes may very well have been involved in the battle and, while there is still some mystery about his life, the sight of this intriguing memorial falling into disrepair on the 250th milestone of the conflict, prompted Stirling Council Archaeologist Murray Cook to start a crowdfunder to restore it. With the funds quickly raised, Stirling Council's Cemeteries Service repaired the memorial. Tomorrow (Saturday) it will be unveiled by Stirling's Lord Provost Elaine Watterson as part of a special ceremony that will also include a free talk from Dr Cook and a visit to another memorial of a soldier involved in the American Revolutionary War – General Samuel Graham who was threatened with summary execution by General Washington. Stirling Council Archaeologist Murray Cook said: 'For centuries, Stirling was one of the most important places in Scotland, a frontier, a capital and the site of victories. 'After the Union of the Crowns and Parliament, Stirling became central to the British Empire and military success across the globe. 'At no other cemetery in Scotland is so much history crammed into such a small place: in five minutes you can walk from spots connected to the Scottish Wars of Independence, The Rough Wooing, The American Wars of Independence and the march across India. 'This memorial details a century of military service by the Forbes family across the globe starting with Major Arthur Forbes who would have been in his early 20s at the battle of Moore's Creek Bridge. 'While we still don't know whether he fought there, how he ended up in the North Carolina Highlanders or what happened to him next, his memorial helps shed light on Scotland's role and its people in the American War of Independence, and it's great to see it standing tall again as we celebrate today's strong ties between both countries. 'Heroes and villains, generals and privates are all commemorated at Stirling - why not come for a look to find out more about these people and how they shaped world history.' Stirling Lord Provost Elaine Watterson said: 'Stirling and its Old Town Cemetery is a historical treasure trove with connections not just to key moments in Scottish and UK history but major events across the world. 'It's important we preserve our rich history and built heritage to bring the stories of our people and places to light for current and future generations, so I was delighted to see this memorial restored - my thanks to everyone involved. 'The people involved in this story about the American War of Independence lived in different times and fought for what they believed in. 'As we mark the 250th anniversary of this turning point in world history, it's been fascinating to learn more about these individuals and the impact the conflict had on the city and Scotland, as well as reflecting how much has changed, with the United States and the Britain becoming great allies and recently marking the 80th milestone of VE Day together. 'We would like to welcome anyone to come along to this special commemorative event on Saturday May 24.' The ceremony which will involve a number of dignitaries will take in Stirling's Old Town Cemetery at noon on Saturday following the traditional Preambulation for Stirling's Walking of the Marches, which starts at 10.45am on the Stirling Castle Esplanade. The public are welcome to attend both events. However, a reception after the ceremony to mark the restoration of the memorial to Major Forbes inside the Church of the Holy Rude is a private event. Stirling's Old Town Cemetery is situated next to Stirling Castle, with the esplanade of Stirling Castle forming the eastern boundary of the site. The cemetery expanded from the original Holy Rude Kirkyard between 1857-59 into the adjacent Valley and Mars Wark Garden. The site of the Drummond Pleasure Ground was purchased in 1862. Panoramic views can be gained from the cemetery across the carse of the River Forth. The cemetery is a site is of outstanding cultural, scenic, historical and architectural value as well as containing outstanding examples of works of art. Stirling's Walking of the Marches will take place on May 31, beginning at 10.45am at the rotunda at the foot of King Street, and will see the procession walk through the city and finishing at Cowane's bowling green.
Press and Journal
30-04-2025
- Press and Journal
Misty Isle Boat Trips: The multi-generational Skye family business, ages 11 to 75
I was lucky to get a chat with the main players in Misty Isle Boat Trips – it's a busy time of year. But on this particular day, Sandy (the skipper and older son) is free to speak because Seumas, Sean and Calum (some of the grandsons) are running the show. And that arrangement sums up how intrinsically Misty Isle is linked to the MacKinnon family from Elgol. Since Sandy's grandfather's days, when crofters lined up their boats and shared out the tourists, the family have had a stake in the area's history. In fact, scratch that: the MacKinnons had a pretty important role at the time of the Jacobites too. So the family are very much part of the local history that they share with tourists on their boat trips centred on Loch Coruisk. I spoke to just a small sample of them to talk about how three generations ranging in ages from 11 to 75 make Misty Isle what it is today. Oh, and also about how Loch Coruisk could have been used for a Hitchcock film – if it hadn't been for a tricky set of ladders… Probably one of the most complicated things about the Misty Isle Boat Trips is the family tree. Even Sandy – the skipper – had to take a breath before he went through them all. And he had to double-check some ages with his mum. He had one bit off-pat, though – presumably a bit that is part of the the tour history itself. Misty Isle Boat Trips started in 1969, sparked originally by a schoolboy's trips to Loch Coruisk with his dad. Seumas MacKinnon was pretty small when he accompanied his father on trips to Loch Coruisk. Lachlan MacKinnon was working on the Loch Coruisk Memorial Hut, built in 1959 in memory of two young climbers who lost their lives on Ben Nevis in 1953. But young Seumas got the bug for what is considered one of the most picturesque areas in the UK. Sandy, 48, explained: 'Dad made the decision to get over as soon as he could – he started saving up for a boat.' The boat, called the Apollo, came in 1969 – and the rest is history. The current roster of the business features the surname MacKinnon fairly often. Sandy gave us the rundown of names, ages and pack drills. Seumas, now 75, is the OG, along with wife Anne, 71. Sandy said: 'Dad helps with the maintenance and bits and pieces that need done on land. He's pretty handy with a paintbrush. 'Mum takes all the bookings and chats to the tourists.' Sandy himself is the older of Seumas and Anne's two 'boys' – Stuart is 46. And just like their dad before them, they were introduced to the family business in childhood, in what sounds like an idyllic way. Sandy remembers: 'We used to go over when we were young lads, we might even go for a scramble for the day.' Sandy is married to Roxy, who teaches the fiddle in local schools (but could probably turn her hand to something boat-related, if required). They have Seumas, 25, and Shaun, 18. Along with their cousin Calum (21 and Stuart's eldest), they were the three keeping shop on the day I spoke to Sandy and Anne. Everyone still keeping up? Good, because there is more…. Stuart and his wife Glenda have four children: Calum; Heather, 19; Calvin, 14; and 11-year-old Abi. Stuart has his own business called Skye Local Tours – land-based – but there is a definite feel of everyone pitching in. These days, having started off with the Apollo in 1969, which did plenty lobster fishing alongside the tourist work, Misty Isle Boat Trips runs three boats. Sandy is the skipper of the Misty Isle itself, which takes 63 visitors and two crew. Seumas jr looks after the Maid of Coruisk, which carries 28 and two. And (just to prove other surnames are available), Duncan Henderson skippers the Eilean a Cheo, which goes to Canna with a capacity boat of 12 tourists. Sandy reckons they can show 140 people the delights of the area on a busy day. But what's the pull that makes visitors explore Skye beyond the Fairy Pools and Dunvegan Castle? Sandy says it's a hidden gem that is worth the visit. He said: 'Not many people get to see Loch Coruisk, because it's so isolated. 'The only way to do it is by boat. It's considered one of the best views in the UK.' He also explained how, over the years, what was more of an as-and-when boat taxi service has evolved into what they have today. 'We do talks on the trips now, the visitors get hot chocolate and shortbread – but they also get mythology, history, geology and geography thrown in. 'We get people from all over the world. We feature in foreign travel programmes quite a lot.' The tours set visitors down, give them advice on some good walks and leave them to explore on their own. They also take them to a grey seal colony en route. There have been some famous visitors come to Loch Coruisk – and one in particular was a film director at the height of his success. Sandy tells a tale of how Seumas senior took Alfred Hitchcock out in the 1970s. 'He was scouting for locations at the time, apparently.' In those days, there was a tricky set of steps to navigate – long since replaced by something more easily climbed. 'Mr Hitchcock took one look at the stairs and said 'no way'.' Instead, Hitchcock passed Seumas his camera and the skipper went out and got some shots. But no offence to Seumas's presumably decent camerawork – who knows what could have been if the great man had actually made it up the steps himself? As far as the Jacobites go, the MacKinnon clan and boats play a big part in Bonnie Prince Charlie's story. They helped him escape after Culloden – and apparently were given the secret recipe for Drambuie as a thank you. With the MacKinnon family so tied up in the business, what does the future hold? Will the next generation keep it going? All the signs are there to say Misty Isle will be there for a while. Sandy said: 'I really hope we can keep handing it down. 'They all seem really keen to keep going. 'I'd be really happy to see it handed down from generation to generation.'
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Housebuilding could unearth Culloden battle relics
Archaeologists suggest artefacts connected to the 279-year-old Battle of Culloden could be unearthed during construction of up to 400 new homes in Inverness. Developer Springfield Properties has secured outline planning permission to build on farmland near Culloden House, which was Bonnie Prince Charlie's battlefield headquarters. Members of the prince's Jacobite army marched from nearby Culloden Parks to join the fighting against the Duke of Cumberland's government army. Highland Council's historic environment team said the building site had "high potential" for archaeology. Springfield Properties said it would have an archaeologist on hand if full planning permission was granted for the development at Milton of Culloden. Death masks recreate face of Bonnie Prince Charlie New evidence uncovered about Battle of Culloden Charles Edward Stuart, better known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, led a rising in 1745 to win back the thrones of Britain for his father, the exiled James VIII. The Battle of Culloden on 16 April 1746 saw the prince and his forces face King George II's government army, led by the Duke of Cumberland, George's son. The prince was defeated and about 1,600 men were killed - 1,500 of them Jacobites. It has been described as the last pitched battle to be fought on British soil. A few days before the battle, Bonnie Prince Charlie commandeered Culloden House as his lodgings and HQ. It was the home of Duncan Forbes of Culloden, a prominent Scottish judge. Today the property is a hotel. Culloden Parks was an area of fields enclosed by drystone walls in the grounds of the house. Some of the walls still survive and experts from public body Historic Environment Scotland examined the site in 2022. Artefacts recovered from the battlefield in recent years have included lead musket balls and a shoe buckle believed to have belonged to a clan chief. Highland Council planning officials, in a report to councillors, recommended granting outline planning consent to Springfield Properties with some conditions. They included monitoring for archaeology related to the battle, and also the remains of a Bronze Age settlement or burial site. The Bronze Age site is to be left as an open space in the new housing development. Planning officials said: "The application area is considered to have high archaeological potential. "A condition to ensure the survey, evaluation, preservation and recording of any archaeological and historic features is recommended." Dave Main, Springfield North managing director, said the company was pleased to receive outline planning permission. He added: "As a Scottish housebuilder established in the Highlands, we greatly value the cultural importance of the surrounding area and have worked closely with the council throughout the planning process. "In line with our commitment to the site, we will have an archaeologist on hand to ensure any heritage considerations are carefully addressed." More stories from the Highlands and Islands News from the Highlands and Islands on BBC Sounds Opponents to the new development include a local honey business. Mark Card set up Loch Ness Honey Company 10 years ago, but said it was only over the last three years that farm and woodland at Milton of Culloden, Inverness, had been zoned for housing. He said it threatened to disrupt the movement of queen bees, which lay all the eggs in the business's honey-producing hives - of which there are more than 125. Culloden Community Council has also expressed concerns for bees in a response it has sent to Highland Council. It acknowledged more affordable housing was needed, but claimed building at Milton of Culloden would also put additional pressures on already overstretched community facilities and lead to the loss of good quality farmland. Developer Springfield Properties said it was a responsible housebuilder, adding that it would be guided by an ecology survey during construction. Highland Council
BBC News
06-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Housebuilding could unearth Battle of Culloden relics
Archaeologists suggest artefacts connected to the 279-year-old Battle of Culloden could be unearthed during construction of up to 400 new homes in Springfield Properties has secured outline planning permission to build on farmland near Culloden House, which was Bonnie Prince Charlie's battlefield of the prince's Jacobite army marched from nearby Culloden Parks to join the fighting against the Duke of Cumberland's government Council's historic environment team said the building site had "high potential" for archaeology. Springfield Properties said it would have an archaeologist on hand if full planning permission was granted for the development at Milton of Culloden. Charles Edward Stuart, better known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, led a rising in 1745 to win back the thrones of Britain for his father, the exiled James Battle of Culloden on 16 April 1746 saw the prince and his forces face King George II's government army, led by the Duke of Cumberland, George's prince was defeated and about 1,600 men were killed - 1,500 of them Jacobites. It has been described as the last pitched battle to be fought on British soil.A few days before the battle, Bonnie Prince Charlie commandeered Culloden House as his lodgings and was the home of Duncan Forbes of Culloden, a prominent Scottish judge. Today the property is a Parks was an area of fields enclosed by drystone walls in the grounds of the of the walls still survive and experts from public body Historic Environment Scotland examined the site in recovered from the battlefield in recent years have included lead musket balls and a shoe buckle believed to have belonged to a clan chief. Highland Council planning officials, in a report to councillors, recommended granting outline planning consent to Springfield Properties with some included monitoring for archaeology related to the battle, and also the remains of a Bronze Age settlement or burial Bronze Age site is to be left as an open space in the new housing officials said: "The application area is considered to have high archaeological potential. "A condition to ensure the survey, evaluation, preservation and recording of any archaeological and historic features is recommended."Dave Main, Springfield North managing director, said the company was pleased to receive outline planning added: "As a Scottish housebuilder established in the Highlands, we greatly value the cultural importance of the surrounding area and have worked closely with the council throughout the planning process. "In line with our commitment to the site, we will have an archaeologist on hand to ensure any heritage considerations are carefully addressed." Opponents to the new development include a local honey Card set up Loch Ness Honey Company 10 years ago, but said it was only over the last three years that farm and woodland at Milton of Culloden, Inverness, had been zoned for said it threatened to disrupt the movement of queen bees, which lay all the eggs in the business's honey-producing hives - of which there are more than Community Council has also expressed concerns for bees in a response it has sent to Highland acknowledged more affordable housing was needed, but claimed building at Milton of Culloden would also put additional pressures on already overstretched community facilities and lead to the loss of good quality Springfield Properties said it was a responsible housebuilder, adding that it would be guided by an ecology survey during construction.
