Heart of Scotland Ancestry

03/09/2025

Today I attended the annual Scottish Police Memorial Service at The Scottish Police College, Tulliallan, with my daughter Emma. The Memorial, comprising three granite blocks engraved with the names of officers, is in the beautiful grounds of the College and was first unveiled in September 2004.

It includes the names of the 350 police officers from across Scotland who lost their lives in service. My dad, Sgt Harry Lawrie, is included on the memorial, so it is always poignant to visit Tulliallan and see Dad's name on the memorial. Today I was also able to view the Memorial Book, which has a page dedicated to each officer listed on the memorial . I took a photograph of Dad's page for my records.

The unique thing about Tulliallan is that all police officers serving in Scotland from the late 1950s attended Tulliallan for their basic training at the start of their service, as well as on various courses during their time in the job. That included Dad in 1960 and myself in 1986. I have a photograph of Dad standing in the grounds of Tulliallan from around 1960, when he joined Stirling & Clackmannan Police. Where he is standing is just across from where the memorial stands and where the service was held today. The trees have grown a bit since then!!!

For anyone researching the death on duty of a police officer in Scotland, the work of The Scottish Police Memorial Trust will be invaluable and includes a Roll of Honour which can be seen at its website at https://spmt.scot/

14/08/2025

13/08/2025

Looking forward to attending Stirling Highland Games this Saturday, where I will be giving a half-hour talk on Scottish Ancestry in the Discover Stirling marquee at 12.30pm.

Hoping to have the opportunity to chat afterwards with like-minded people and promote Scottish family history research for both visitors and locals.

Details in the link below.

Our Discover Stirling marquee is back at this year's Gathering on Saturday, 16th August, and can be found in the new food and drinks area on site.

We listened to suggestions from last year and have brought together 3 fantastic speakers as part of our Scotland Talks sessions for visitors. These talks are ticketed [£10 each] and can only be bought on the day inside the Discover Stirling marquee. Each talk is limited to 30 tickets.

You choose which Scotland Talks sessions you attend.😍

12:30 - Gary Lawrie

Your Scotland Story – Discovering Your Scottish Roots

Around the world today, more than 40 million people can claim Scottish ancestry (Devine, The Scottish Nation: A History, 1700–2000, 1999). Whether your forebears settled in Nova Scotia, North Carolina, Adelaide, or Otago, they carried with them a deep pride in their Scottish heritage — a pride still alive in their descendants.

13:00 - Dr Murray Cook [pictured]

Fortifying Stirling - Discovering more about Stirling

Come and hear Dr Murray Cook explore the topic of fortifying Stirling with its various castle and fort positions around Stirling. See a real piece of vitrified stone from Mote Hill and understand the extreme temperatures it took to create this.

14:30 - Michael Naismith

The History of Bagpipes

We welcome Michael Naismith, our Official Chieftains Piper, to talk about the amazing history of the bagpipes. A regular talk at the Argylls Museum, we are delighted to welcome him to speak with some of our visitors in the Discover Stirling marquee.

14/03/2025

At a time when the fundamental rights that we have taken for granted for years are under threat from various directions, it is worth reminding ourselves of the actions taken by many of our ancestors that helped to secure these rights. This article, produced by Historic Environment Scotland outlines the fight for Women's Suffrage and those women across Scotland who fought for that right.

Names like Emmeline Pankhurst are well known in history, but in Scotland, do we know the story of Louisa Stevenson, Sarah Siddons Mair or Ehtel Moorhead, who fought in Scotland for women's right to vote? The article is a good reminder of how direct action to seek and protect a basic human right, such as the right to vote or freedom of expression, has often been a necessary step.

Perhaps if those people who today seek or have attained positions of power and responsibility had taken some time away from accumulating their vast riches to read and take on board these lessons of history, any such action would be unnecessary.

Discover the roles of Scottish suffragettes Sarah Siddons Mair, Louisa Stevenson and Ethel Moorhead in the fight for women's voting rights.

02/11/2024

With Halloween just past The Historic Environment Scotland blog has an interesting article about Stirling Castle and the supernatural traditions of some of their most famous occupants including the Stewarts.

This Hallowe'en, find out about some of Stirling Castle's most famous residents - the Stewarts - and their beliefs and superstitions.

01/10/2024

Looking forward to giving a short presentation on the Birkenburn Estate, Keith this weekend at Banffshire Field Club Conference at Cullen. Taking advantage to visit the site of Birkenburn and perhaps a wee visit to a cemetery or two!! Hope to tap into some local knowledge to widen my knowledge of Birkenburn and identify more research options. Birkenburn is where a branch of my family tree lived for many centuries.

Might even get round to writing the second half of my blog (see attached) on my connection to Birkenburn which I wrote a few years back!!

https://heartofscotlandancestry.co.uk/finding-nobility-in-my-family-tree-the-stuarts-gordons-of-birkenburn-part-1/

With less than three weeks to go until our Banffshire Places conference, the programme is all ready to go to the printers 😍 There are a couple of spaces left and can be booked at www.banffshirefieldclub.com/conference

14/09/2024

A damp Saturday morning in Stirling and a chance to catch up on some family history research. Not too sure of this new assistant though!!!! Say hello to Alba.

21/05/2024

If you have watched the opening scenes of the 2018 film Outlaw King you will have seen the deployment of the War Wolf at Stirling Castle. This was an enormous trebuchet used to hurl large stones against the defences of Stirling Castle. It would be quite a sight even today when we are used to seeing large weapons of war. In the 1300s it must have been terrifying, especially if you were on the receiving end of it.

The blog below from Historic Environment Scotland is written by James McIvor who works at Stirling Castle and tells the story of the War Wolf and its deployment at Stirling by Edward I. The article also includes an incredible film created by artist Bob Marshall who was partly inspired by the opening credits of Outlaw King to produce a film about the War Wolf. The film is an excellent recreation of what Stirling Castle and the siege would have looked like at the time.

The War Wolf was of course employed by Edward I, the so-called Hammer of the Scots who tried to wipe the Scots from the map. Before he died he apparently asked that, on his death, his bones should be left unburied whilst Scotland was unconquered. He thankfully failed and now lies at rest in Westminster Abbey. It is said that any true Scot who happens to be visiting Westminster Abbey has to send a little reminder to Eddie when they pass his tomb by whispering "Still here Eddie"!! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

In 1304, Edward I besieged Stirling Castle. It was ‘game over’ for the Scots when a monstrous weapon called The War Wolf arrived on the scene.

15/05/2024

Being born in Stirling I know I will be accused of bias when I say that Stirling Castle is my favourite Scottish castle to visit.

However, in support of my opinion, the blog below comes from Mervern French, a member of the Interpretation Team at Historic Environment Scotland. Instead of the usual battles, fights and executions, this covers the role of the Castle as a family home. Okay it was Scotland's Royal family - but they used the castle as a family home over many centuries. If you visit ttoday,you can see many examples of how it was used as a family home and not just as a military site or seat of government.

Hope you enjoy Mervern's blog.

https://blog.historicenvironment.scot/2024/05/stirling-castle-a-family-home-through-the-ages/


Stirling: Alive with Scotland

Stirling Castle has seen sieges, battles and political drama, but it's also been at the heart of family life over the centuries.

16/04/2024

Anyone who has a little sister will know that there are occasions where they can be a right pain in the a**e like that time mine bounced a plastic farmhouse off my napper (Scottish word for head!!) to the considerable effusion of blood. She was admittedly only about 3 years of age at the time, but I learned very quickly how determined my sister Pauline is when she faces a challenge, whether completing the London Marathon or keeping hold of a toy farmhouse from her brother.

This Sunday Pauline sets off on her 26.2-mile challenge for Kidney Care UK. This is a charity very dear to our family after Mum's lengthy battle against kidney failure including two transplants. Her transplants helped her to compete in the UK and World Transplant Games winning many medals including silver in the World Games at Budapest. It is only through the work of charities such as Kidney Care UK that we enjoy these medical advances in tackling kidney disease and in the care of those suffering from this condition.

Pauline is seeking to raise £2500 for Kidney Care UK and at the moment she has achieved 75% of that target. If you can give any donation to help Pauline on her way and meet her target it would be greatly appreciated. See the link below.

Good luck Pauline and we will be cheering you on this Sunday trying to see you on the TV!!. We have no doubt you will get to that finishing line. Enjoy every moment along the way❤️. Oh and anyone who tries to take her medal off her is well warned of the consequences!! xx

Hi All, As many of you know - I am not a runner and I have activly avoided running wherever and whenever possible BUT I do LOVE a challenge and to push out of my comfort zone, especially when it is fo

04/03/2024

Historic Environment Scotland have an interesting blog this weak on the topical subject of leaps (i.e. the 29th). They have examined the many places in Scotland with the word Leap in their title. Many relate to legends and are usually connected to the many times of upheaval and change in our history.

The most famous is of course Soldiers Leap at Killicrankie. There is a little bit in all of us that approaches this site and we think "could I have done this in my day?". Then you get close, realise the gap and rushing river below and think "nay chance!!" even with a Red Coat in close pursuit!!. Enjoy the blog which was researched and written by Samuel Wilson.

Why do so many Scottish places have leap in their name? The answers can be found in some dramatic stories and legends.

26/02/2024

The fascinating story of John Campbell, written by Jeff Meek as part of Historic Environment Scotland's exploration of LGBT+ History. Jeff outlines how John Campbell seemed to be living the life of a typical working-class man in the 1860s and 70s. He worked as a farm labourer, railway navvy and in a shipbuilder's forge. He took a wife. But John wasn't like most other men.

John Campbell seemed to be living the life of a typical Victorian working class man. But John wasn't like most other men. Jeff Meek explores.