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Post by roper on Aug 11, 2006 23:04:07 GMT 10
Great pics Neil, I believe we will be passing thru Callander on our way to edinburgh, so now I know what to look for when we get lost #happy#
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Post by neil6147 on Aug 21, 2006 3:44:31 GMT 10
Hello to you all interested in the Stirling area. Both Christine and myself were out for a drive in the Stirling area. When we came over between Dunblane and Doune the Memorial to David Stirling. He was the founder of the Special Air Service Regiment 1941. He was also in Colditz. This is some of the photos of the memorial to him. This the view looking west from the Memorial. For many years, the Commando War Memorial at Spean Bridge in Lochaber, north of Fort William, has been a popular stopping-off place for the many tourists and others who pass by. The Forth Valley in Stirlingshire may not be as desolate as the Spean Valley but it now has a memorial which is just as dramatic. And judging by the number of cars stopping in the car park, it has become just as popular. The memorial is to Lt. Colonel Sir David Stirling OBE DSO - also known as the "Phantom Major" - who founded the Special Air Service at the height of WWII. Field Marshall Montgomery, who commanded the Allied forces in North Africa at the time, said, "The boy Stirling is quite mad, quite, quite mad. However, in a war there is often a place for mad people." David Stirling was born November 15th 1915 son of Brigadier Archibald Stirling of Keir and the Hon Margaret Fraser, 4th daughter of the 13th Baron Lovat. So he had a long pedigree in serving his country at times of need. At the outbreak of war he joined the Scots Guards but volunteered for the elite No 8 Commando unit and served in the Mediterranean. In North Africa in 1941, while recuperating from a parachute accident, he built on the idea of a small highly-trained special operations group attacking the Rommel's long supply lines. When he failed to gain access to his commanding officer General Auchinleck to argue his case, he just slipped past the guard and walked in (on crutches) - "who dares wins," indeed. Using the innocent-sounding name of L-Detachment Special Air Service and working alongside the Long Range Desert Group, small detachments drove behind enemy lines and attacked enemy airfields, communications and supply dumps. The highly-trained and well-motivated created chaos and the Italians and Germans had to use up more and more forces to guard their bases. The destruction of large numbers of enemy aircraft even allowed a naval convoy to reach Malta to relieve the beleaguered island. Field Marshall Montgomery - another unconventional soldier, gave Stirling his backing and Winston Churchill became so impressed by the unit's performance that it was made into a full Brigade. In 1943, Stirling was captured by the Germans, then escaped, but was captured by the Italians and became a prisoner-of-war. Hitler had ordered that all members of the SAS and other special forces should be executed but to his credit Field Marshall Rommel was the only German commander to ignore the order. During his time as a POW, he escaped four times and was eventually sent to the famous Colditz Castle where he remained for the rest of the war. In the meantime, his brother had taken over as commander of an SAS Brigade. The SAS expanded and became involved in escapades in many parts of Europe. The principles established led to the creation of the crack SAS Regiment which today forms the UK's premier special forces unit. David Stirling was awarded the OBE and DSO for his actions in war and was knighted in 1990 but died a few months later. The memorial to Sir David Stirling is on a hill looking north towards the hills and mountains of Perthshire (see illustration above). Even without the memorial statue, it would be worth a visit - though the field of yellow oil-seed rape is not always there to enhance the picture! Close by is the picturesque village of Doune with Doune Castle which has featured in a number of movies, including "Monty Python and the Holy Grail". Also in the area is Kilbryde Castle which deserves to be better known. While the castle itself is not open to the public, there are extensive gardens which are particularly attractive in the spring when the rhododendrons and azaleas are in bloom. Dunblane with its Cathedral and its Pictish associations is not far away either. The memorial statue is beside the B824 road between the M9/A9 the main road north from Stirling) and Doune. There is a small car park and a plaque providing information about David Stirling and the SAS. This is the end of Neil`s history lesson for today. Hope you enjoyed reading this information. Neil
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Post by andi on Aug 22, 2006 19:34:32 GMT 10
Enjoying your history lessons
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Post by roper on Aug 22, 2006 23:15:29 GMT 10
Great pics and information thanks Andi Mike and Neil ;D
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Post by smudger on Nov 16, 2006 9:27:21 GMT 10
A very indepth article which you sent Neil and to my shame have not read before in this forum . It awoke my interest because on Sir David Stirlings land which belonged to his family , i was as a young lad often working as a Grouse Beater . To those not in the know this does not mean i bashed the Grouse with a club but with others we walked in a spred out line . Often over a considerable distance , waving our flags , shouting to scare the Grouse and Pheasants towards the shooters . Why do this some may ask ? ..well as a lad of 15 i got the same days wage as the men who were there . Easy money and to walk through such countryside what a pleasure . Plus my best school friend at the time Andrew Gudgeon , his father was the Gamekeeper on Sir David Stirling´s Estate , meaning i was one of the first to know when i could earn a few quid . Anyway getting back to the topic , at the time when i worked there i would wear an Army Combat jacket to stay warm and dry , on the hills and moors the weather was often wet . One day on a wee break inbetween on top of a hill a jeep pulls up , out steps a man tall and not knowing who he was i carried on with my sandwich . After a couple of minutes he strides over to me , Andrew and his father looked at me but said nothing , myself i munched happly . The man stood in front of me , looked down at me and asked me , " Tell me young man are you a member of the Cadets or TA ( Reserves) , if not why are you wearing a bl**dy Combat Smock ? " . As you all can imagine i was searching for words and said , " Ehm ..no Sir i am neither " , he promptly answered , " Listen lad , wear it then with pride ! " . I was dumbstruck and looked at Andrew , he looked back and and said nothing . Andrew´s father walked over grinning to me and grabbed my neck and said , " Och laddie de ye ken who ye jist met there ? " . Of course i diddnae ken who that wis , he replied , " Weel ye jist met Colonel David Stirling , founder of the SAS ! " . I was speechless , even to this day i remember how stupid i must have looked to all but to be corrected by such a man , a wee bit humble pie isnae bad .
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Post by neil6147 on Nov 17, 2006 6:37:41 GMT 10
We stumbled on the statue while taking a detour due to a car crash. This is not a road we use a lot. So it was very interesting to discover this statue and find out more details regarding why it located a this spot. Just glad to have brought back memories to certain people.
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Post by neil6147 on Dec 17, 2006 21:20:45 GMT 10
Hi Again I have just found this great picture of the Daivid Stirling Momument. And think you would love to see this great picture. Hope you all enjoy this great picture. Neil
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Post by desertrose on Dec 18, 2006 23:20:07 GMT 10
Neil! Thanks for the history lessons and the fabulous photos to go with them. keep on sharing as you can. Many thanks!
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Elly
Administrator
Posts: 29,887
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Post by Elly on Dec 21, 2006 11:47:28 GMT 10
yes thanks Neil for all the information and wonderful pictures, really amazing, thank you for the history lesson, hope you have plenty more #ssmile#
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Post by neil6147 on Jan 24, 2007 1:15:35 GMT 10
World Heritage support for wall
A landmark representing the most northerly walled frontier of the Roman Empire has become the UK's official nomination for World Heritage status. The Antonine Wall runs 37 miles from Bo'ness, near Falkirk, to Old Kilpatrick in West Dunbartonshire.
The announcement was made by UK Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell.
Conservation body Unesco, which is responsible for the scheme, will examine the proposal and make a final decision at a future date.
The bid has been supported by five local authorities throughout central and the west of Scotland.
'International dimension'
The wall was built in about 140 AD to keep Pictish warriors out of the Roman Empire after the conquest of southern Scotland.
It became a monument to the reign of Emperor Antonius Pius but was abandoned after just a generation, in about 165 AD.
Ms Jowell said: "The Antonine Wall is one of the UK's most important Roman monuments and a fascinating part of our European heritage.
"It is this international dimension that is most exciting to me."
If accepted by Unesco the wall will join the list of 27 UK World Heritage Sites.
Scottish Culture Minister Patricia Ferguson said: "The Antonine Wall is significant not only as a visible reminder of one of the most powerful states that the world has ever seen, but also as part of a great network of frontiers which the Roman Empire constructed in order to protect itself."
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Post by neil6147 on Feb 18, 2007 20:34:19 GMT 10
Hello to you all. We enjoyed a good drive over to Stirlingshire yesterday afternoon. But before leaving we stopped approx 1 mile from our house to take photos of the view over Edinburgh and part of Midlothian. This is looking towards Arthur Seat in Edinburgh. This is looking towards Edinburgh Castle. This is looking over towards the Pentland Hills. Our next stop was to take photos looking up to Stirling Castle from the junction with the A811 Stirling to Loch Lomond road. Looking west along the A811 towards Kippen this is the direction we are about to take. We travelled to Kippen where we turned and started heading south towards the Village of Fintry. These were taken while we stopped to feed Andrew. Not all children have a great view like this while enjoying lunch. Just further south we stopped for these great views. Approx one mile north of Fintry. Have now zoomed in closer to the hill side. Taken from the east of Fintry looking west. from the same spot looking east. This water fall caught my eye as we approached the Campsie View Point. We stopped at Campsie view ing Point which was very busy yesterday. Looking up the car park. Our car or better known to you all as the Tartan Blood Mobile. LOL. Yes Jude you see a baby one sitting next to the one you saw on your trip to Scotland. Plus Andrew is enjoying some of the views from his car seat in the back of the car. Could this be the reason the car park was busy. This is looking towards Kirkintilloch area. Some taken of the views from the view point. Looking down towards Lennoxtown. And if the views are great from the Campsie Viewing point then what are they like for the Passengers of this flight which has just left Glasgow Airport. I hope you have enjoyed this little trip. As we said it is not every child that gets these great views while having lunch. Neil
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Post by mcnass on Feb 18, 2007 21:48:35 GMT 10
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