Walking the Marches 1919 – 1960’s

Looking at the archives, very little information is available from previous years.

1919

1926

1955

There was an article in the Stirling Observer Christmas Number which said:

Despite the rain coming down it was a brave company that assembled as The Whins, Cowane Street, on Monday morning 9th May, to take part in one of the few remaining fragments of Stirling’s glorious historical past – the traditional, centuries-old custom of “Walking The Marches.”

It is only every seven years that members of Stirling Town Council, the Stirling Guildry and the Seven Incorporated Trades spend some three hours encircling the town and river boundaries and it is perhaps, on this rare occasion, as they march through streets which many have never trod before, that the full significance of Stirling Castle is borne in.

Routes followed by the parties were:-

Party led by Bailie Cape – Lower Bridge Street, Drip Road, to Raploch Farm, thence through the village of Raploch to North Kersebonny, South Kersebonny, Hayford, Cambusbarron, Weaver Row, St Ninians, Shirra’s Brae, and along the burn-side, home.

Party led by the Dean of the Guildry – Over the New Bridge to the Western March at Bridgehaugh, thence through Causewayhead to Craigton, then by Craigmill to Ladysneuk Farm, Tower Orchard and Hood Farm, over the Bridge and up Abbey Road.

Party led by the Deacon Convenor of the Seven Incorporated Trades – Upper Bridge Street, Bow Street, Back Walk, Royal Gardens, Queen’s Road, Park Terrace, Snowdon Place, Pitt Terrace, Well Green, Springkerse, Whitehouse, Muirton and return by Craigs.

Top picture shows the Provost’s party setting out from The Whins. The centre photograph was taken at Cambuskenneth Abbey and features the Guildry party. Bottom view depicts the Seven Incorporated Trades party returning to the Albert Hall.

 1960’s