AN IMPORTANT PART OF SCOTLAND'S HISTORY COULD BE BLASTED AWAY!

An area of huge Scottish historical importance could be destroyed.

Welcome to
Save Gillies Hill Campaign

(Also Known as The Second Battle of Bannockburn)

Save Gillies Hill

Vision Statement

'The vision of Save Gillies Hill is threefold:

The preservation of the natural landscape of the Hill in its present condition and dimensions;

The restoration of that part of its landscape scarred by quarrying to something approaching a natural condition; and.

The maintenance, in perpetuity, of Gillies Hill in its entirety as a much-loved amenity, guaranteeing public access while simultaneously respecting its unique historic, wild life, archaeological and sporting dimensions.'

Gillies Hill, a piece of land on the outskirts of Stirling which played a pivotal role in the Battle of Bannockburn, is to be eradicated for a new large scale quarry. The hill played a pivotal role in Scotland’s history when Robert the Bruce’s troops rested there on the eve of the Battle of Bannockburn, in 1314.

Now, almost 700 years since English invaders were driven out of Stirling, we face new invaders in the form of Tarmac and Hanson. The companies have give notice that they intend to quadruple the size of the existing Murrayshall Quarry - a move which would effectively destroy Gillies Hill.

The work will also see a massive increase of heavy traffic through Cambusbarron, the village which lies at the foot of the hill, as well as many communities throughout Stirling. Over 40 lorries a day are expected to thunder through the local communities, past several schools.

The route the lorries will take is a road popular with children walking to school.

The new quarry would also see the destruction of wildlife on Gillies Hill, an area popular with walkers. As a result of this threat to our history, wildlife and children, a new pressure group, the Campaign to Save Gillie Hill has been formed. The group are now calling on the Scottish Executive to intervene in this matter of national historical importance. People are been strongly urged to visit the Executive’s website and sign the e-petition to hold a public inquiry into the awarding of quarrying licenses to Tarmac and Hanson.

We are also campaigning for the Gillies Hill to be awarded National Monument status.

A Campaign spokesperson, said: “It’s an outrage they’re even considering destroying Gillies Hill.

“Stirling Council should be ashamed of themselves for granting permission to these companies.....They wouldn’t dream of blasting near Stirling Castle or the Wallace Monument, so why would they allow the destruction of Gillies Hill.”

He added: "This physical icon of Scotland’s greatest battle should not be smashed away. It is a beautiful area for people from Cambusbarron and further afield and the impact of the quarrying on wildlife will be immense.

”The increase on heavy good traffic through the area will also put our children’s lives at risk.

“Something must be done to prevent this travesty.”

The extended quarry will also destroy an Iron Age Fort on the hill.

Local historian, Dr Fiona Watson, a lecturer at Stirling University, has backed the campaign. She said:

"There is no doubt in my mind that it would be a great shame if something like this hill, which still represents such an important moment in our history, was lost.”

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IMPORTANT FLORA ON GILLIES HILL Go to ....

http://www.savegillieshill.org.uk/floraongillies/index.html

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The Gillies Hill
A Poem by
Ian Dowell (2008)

The sunset silhouettes Ben Ledi,
With its warm, red afterglow,
The rabbits grazing gently,
In the Three Fields down below.

The scent of many Rhododendrons,
A cascade of colours bright
Drifts across the Seven Winds
On this warm still Summer night.

I look towards Touchmollar
Across Gartur Estate.
To the lofty peaks of the Grampians,
That seem to guard the Highland gate.

The tall proud Wellingtonia
With the 'Name Tree' by their side,
Gaze towards Stirling Castle
A toast to all of Scotland's pride.

All this I see around me
Carved with God's own hand,
As I stand high on the Gillies Hill
Our precious piece of land.

To take away the freedom
Of the woods where I now stand.
To extend the excavation,
To quarry all this land.

It brings a tear into my eyes,
It breaks my heart to see
That all this nature's beauty
Will be taken away from me.

So let us stand together
To stop this wilful waste,
And save for future generations
This tranquil, peaceful place.

Don't let a faded photograph
Be all we can embrace,
When future generations ask
Where was this beautiful place?

Ghostly whispers carried on the breeze
Of generations long gone by,
Will ask, where is the Seven Winds?
Will ask and wonder, why?