Stirling residents urged to join historic event as city celebrates 900th anniversary

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Residents and visitors are being invited to commemorate the 900th anniversary of Stirling by taking part in the Walking of the Marches on Saturday.An open invite has been extended to people from all walks of life to participate in the annual event, one of the highlights of the year-long celebrations to mark the formation of Stirling as a Royal Burgh in 1124.The Walking of the Marches is an ancient tradition of inspecting and protecting the boundaries of the city, which dates back to at least the 12th century, when King David I granted Stirling its prestigious status.The Marches will set off from the Rotunda at the foot of King Street at 10.45am on a route around the city centre, led by ‘Birlawmen’ - the inspectors who traditionally marked the boundaries using picks and shovels, turning sods of turf at each check point.Ceremonial picks and shovels are still carried today and this year, for the first time, the inspectors include two female Birlawmen, Janie Meikle Bland and Val Bold.A toast will also take place when people reach the Smith Art Gallery and Museum, before the Marches continues onto Cowane’s Hospital, where the procession concludes with an entertainment programme featuring pipe bands, a singer, living history group Historia Normannis and even a display by TV and film stunt team, Combat International.Stirling Provost, Elaine Watterson, said: “The 900th celebrations will be an opportunity to highlight the stories of Stirling, old and new.“Stirling is a unique and vibrant place to live, work and visit in 2024 – but we are nothing without our local communities.

That’s why we extend an invite to as many people as possible to come and celebrate our past with the Walking of the Marches, because they will also write