Looking for Wallace at Stirling Bridge
Ahead of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations Stirling Council is planting 10 trees at Bridgehaugh, the site of William Wallace’s famous victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge on September 11, 1297.
Stirling Council’s Land Service is organising the planting and have created a commemorative arboretum (including Oak, Beech, Birch and Rowan) to mark this special year, which will provide a legacy to the citizens of Stirling over the next 60 years.
Stirling Bridge is one of the few medieval battles in Britain where the battle can be followed on the ground and represents one of the first times a national people’s army defeated a professional army of knights. The bridge is one of two nationally important battlefields in Stirling, the second is Bannockburn, which are tremendous assets for Stirling and well worth walking around. 
As the holes for the tree planting have already been dug Stirling Council’s Archaeologist Murray Cook, asked pupils from Riverside and St Ninian’s Primary Schools to help out on an archaeological dig and metal detector survey of the field conducted by local resident Des Donnelly of the Scottish Artefact Recovery Group (SARG), on Monday 27th February, to look for evidence of the battlefield.
Lesley Sleith of SARG said: ‘We are delighted to be involved in this community project, and to have the opportunity to work with young people exploring their local history, while respecting the environment in the area."
Despite typical Scottish conditions: cold and damp, the children had a great time, and while they didn’t find evidence of Wallace they did find evidence of a medieval farm built over the battlefield.
Elaine Wyllie, Head Teacher at St Ninian’s Primary said: "The children thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the dig. This type of experience enriches learning and helps to make history real for them."
Lucy Blenkharn, Riverside P4M, said: " I had a good time at the archaeological dig. I loved finding things and learning at the same time."
More digs are planned for over the Summer and leading up to the anniversary of Bannockburn in 2014. To find out more about Stirling’s battlefields, or to volunteer for future projects please contact Murray Cook on 07929848145 or cookm@stirling.gov.uk
Photos Show: Some children taking part in an archaeological dig at Bridgehaugh
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