SCT-ROYAL-L Archives

From: Darren McCathern <>
Subject: Save our Scottish Heritage!
Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2001 07:29:57 -0500

Hello Everyone!
This morning I recieved a letter from the President of the Clan
MacAlpine Society. Below is a letter asking for your help in preserving
one of Scotland's most ancient historical sites. Please read and
help if you can!

------------------
Dear Clan MacAlpine Society members, supporters, and friends,

The purposes of the Society include preserving the heritage of Clan
MacAlpine
and the heritage of Scotland (because it is part of us, too.) There
is a
current threat to part of our heritage. I want to inform you of
this situation
and ask you to help stop, or at least limit, the planned destruction.

There is a Standing Stone located in a majestic field near Stirling,
on the
grounds of Strirling University, formerly the estate of Airthrey Castle.
Stirling University received permission to bulldoze to within about
50 feet of
the Stone for the purpose of installing a rugby field; forever destroying
the
dignified setting that exists presently.

Some historians think this field is the ancient battlefield where
Kenneth
MacAlpin defeated the Picts and, therefore, consider it the birthplace
of the
Scottish nation. They say the battle(s) occurred around this location
and that
the Stone subsequently took on the meaning of commemorating Kenneth's
victory.
Other historians point out that the Stone is much older than the
battle and,
that there is no clear evidence to prove this is the precise site
where the
battle took place and it is more likely that there were several "skirmishes"
in
various locations rather than one large battle.

While it is not clear what the true and correct facts are concerning
this
battle, it seems clear that this Stone and location have, for many
years, been
assigned the honor of serving as a memorial to Kenneth MacAlpin's
victory that
secured the borders and culture that is Scotland. Further, there
is no doubt
that the Stone itself represents a part of what is now clearly the
heritage of
Scotland.

The Society believes that, in either case, the Stone and surrounding
field
should be preserved as part of Scotland's heritage. Further, as
long as there
is any reasonable possibility that this is the birthplace of Scotland,
it is far
better to avoid any alteration of the existing setting. And, even
if never
proved to be the precise battlefield site, is any other site in Scotland
more
appropriate to give such recognition and is any other event in Scottish
History
more noteworthy or deserving of such recognition?

I ask you to please visit the following website to learn more, see
pictures, and
add your name to the petition protesting this situation.

http://www.students.stir.ac.uk/98/o/to07/web/sss.html

Also, please send an e-mail message to following relevant individuals
telling
them of your opposition to this development. I suggest writing a
single letter
"To all it may concern" and sending it to all parties at once. The
e-mail could
take the form of a one-paragraph statement. You might include that
you are part
of Clan MacAlpine (or of Scottish heritage), that you consider this
Stone and
field to represent a memorial to our Clan's (or your personal) heritage
and the
heritage of Scotland, and that you oppose any alteration to the existing
setting
that is not exclusively for the preservation of the site.

Fiona Macaulay:
Scottish Parliament:
George Reid, MSP:

Stirling University:





Please join with us as the voice of our Clan and our Scottish heritage.

Best regards,

Kenneth J. McAlpine, President
Clan MacAlpine Society


*****
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http://www.scotlandroyalty.org

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• Save our Scottish Heritage! by Darren McCathern <>