Our Latest News

Thanks for checking out the latest news from the Bannockburn House Trust. Here you will find the latest blogs from the gardening, history and operations teams and any news updates for the project. We encourage our volunteers to write blogs for the website and would be delighted to hear from you if you volunteer and would like to write a blog for us. Email [email protected].

Garden Blog

“TO EVERY THING THERE IS A SEASON”

by marketing | November 7, 2020 | Gardens, Uncategorized, Volunteer Blog | 0 Comments

Bannockburn House Gardener Margaret Pollock reflects on the changing seasons: It was spring when I last walked into the depths of the woodland at the house so it was with some excitement that I made the trip a few days ago, whilst the leaves were still clustered in...

AUTUMN COLOURS

by marketing | October 5, 2020 | Gardens, Volunteer Blog | 0 Comments

There’s still much beauty to be found in the October garden, as Bannockburn House gardener Margaret Pollock explains: Autumn is underway and shades of yellow, orange and red are claimed for this season’s colours. The pastel shades of the summer roses and the deep...

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST FROM THE EAST

by marketing | September 14, 2020 | Gardens, Latest News, Volunteer Blog | 0 Comments

To mark Scotland's Climate Week 2020 we asked gardener Margaret Pollock to reflect on the progress that has been made in the grounds of Bannockburn House: For the last three years we have battled against the dense overgrowth in the kitchen garden at Bannockburn House....

HIGH DAYS AND HOLIDAYS

by marketing | August 27, 2020 | Gardens, Volunteer Blog | 0 Comments

We may be having one of the wettest Augusts on record, but Bannockburn House gardener Margaret Pollock is back with another blog to brighten your day: Although it's only August, we have had such intense rain recently that the Doocot Loch, normally only visible during...

FUNDING BOOST FOR BONNIE PRINCE GARDENS

by marketing | August 19, 2020 | Gardens, Latest News | 0 Comments

Bannockburn House, once used as Bonnie Prince Charlie’s battle HQ, is set to receive nearly £15,000 from the Central Scotland Green Network Growing Food Together Fund. The community owned and volunteer led project is one of nine environmental initiatives to have been...

COMMUNITY PROJECT GROWS WITH APPOINTMENT OF HEAD GARDENER

by marketing | August 5, 2020 | Gardens, Latest News | 0 Comments

Ambitious plans to develop the grounds of Bannockburn House have been given a boost with the appointment of horticultural guru Kate White as Head Gardener. Kate has over a decade of experience restoring and developing historic and botanic gardens, including time with...

‘Summertime and the livin’ is easy…’

by marketing | July 27, 2020 | Gardens, Volunteer Blog | 0 Comments

It's July and finally time to slow down and enjoy your garden, according to green-fingered volunteer Margaret Pollock: The well-tended vegetable garden in July is an amazing sight. Gone is the frenzy of June and the early Summer months when there is a constant race to...

‘June is bustin’ out all over…’

by admin | June 11, 2020 | Gardens, Volunteer Blog | 0 Comments

June is such a colourful month. Everywhere you look there are flowers and for us in the North, we have the extra daylight hours as well. Summer is upon us and in a couple of weeks it will be the Solstice - the turning point of the year when the sun stands still having...

Where the Wildflowers Grow…

by admin | May 14, 2020 | Gardens, Latest News, Volunteer Blog | 0 Comments

Usually May is a quiet and reliable month which gradually leads us into summer with longer days, warmer temperatures and blossom. The early leaves have sprung on most trees, butterflies are on the wing and if you look carefully, you will find wildflowers blooming in...

“Sex in the Garden”

by admin | April 16, 2020 | Gardens, Volunteer Blog | 0 Comments

As I write this, it is almost Easter. The month is passing rapidly, and we will soon be in the middle of April. April is month of great change in the garden, and in nature, and the biggest factor driving this change is sex - the urge to reproduce. It is happening all...

History Blog

MARKING 60 YEARS SINCE THE MITCHELL AUCTION

by marketing | October 27, 2020 | History, Volunteer Blog | 0 Comments

Volunteer Hugh McCusker reflects on 60 years since a major three day auction at Bannockburn House: This month saw the 60th anniversary of a major three day sale at Bannockburn House. The accumulated contents left in trust to Miss Annie Mitchell by her father, and...

Bannockburn House & its links with Stan Laurel . . .

by admin | January 22, 2019 | History, Volunteer Blog | 0 Comments

Stan & Ollie Movie Cold, dark months Now that the glitz and overindulgence of the festive period is well behind us, we turn our attention to the cold, dark months that are always present during the first part of the new year. Movie Awards Season ...

Voices from the Past

by admin | July 26, 2018 | Gardens, History, Volunteer Blog | 0 Comments

What an exciting time we have been having recently In the last three weeks we have been visited by two former gardeners who were employed (not simultaneously) by Miss Mitchell in the 1950’s. It is so important for us when we make contact with people who have been...

The Auld Alliance still lives!

by admin | July 26, 2018 | History, Volunteer Blog | 0 Comments

Descendants of Sir Hugh Paterson visit Bannockburn House after 350 years Isabelle Chardon and her husband Guy from France visited on a glorious sunny day in June (2018). Isabelle is a descendent of Sir Hugh Paterson (find out more about the house history here) who...

Bannockburn House and the 45’

by admin | June 12, 2018 | History, Volunteer Blog | 0 Comments

The word Jacobite derives from the Latin Jacobus (follower of James). The Jacobites were supporters of the Stuarts who had been overthrown during the Glorious Revolution of 1688/89. The Catholic King James VII had been deposed by William of Orange & his wife...

William Ramsay of Barnton & Stirling Racecourse

by admin | May 1, 2018 | History, Volunteer Blog | 0 Comments

Bannnockburn House Links Between 1787 and 1883, Bannockburn House was owned and occupied by various members of the Ramsay family of Barnton in Edinburgh. In 1787, William Ramsay, an Edinburgh merchant banker who also owned Barnton House in Edinburgh, Sauchie House and...

Events Blog

Historic House to Host Scotland’s Frontline Festival

by marketing | November 24, 2020 | Events, Latest News | 0 Comments

St Andrew’s Day preparations are well under way at Bannockburn House. The community owned historic 17th century mansion is preparing to host a virtual fundraising gig on Monday 30 November featuring some of Scotland’s best-known bands, including Wet, Wet, Wet, Bay...

ARTISTS TAKE OVER HISTORIC MANSION

by marketing | November 23, 2020 | Events, Latest News | 0 Comments

Ten local artists will take over Bannockburn House to stage the historic mansion’s first ever major art installation since being bought by the community back in 2016. Originally planned for Easter, the event by the Gossip Collective will now take place this weekend...

DRIVE THRU CHRISTMAS MARKET AT HISTORIC HOUSE

by marketing | November 19, 2020 | Events, Latest News | 0 Comments

Bannockburn House is set to host a drive thru Christmas market this year to help raise much needed funds for its community projects and restoration work. The no-contact event will run on Saturday 12 December with locals given a morning or afternoon time slot to pick...

FORTH VALLEY FOOD FESTIVAL COOK-ALONGS

by marketing | October 1, 2020 | Events, Latest News | 0 Comments

As part of Forth Valley Food Festival, we're teaming up with local chef Sara MacMillan from The Kitchen at 44 King Street to deliver two family friendly cook-alongs. These will take place live on our Facebook page on Monday 12 and Monday 19 October at 4pm. Kate White,...

WELCOME TO THE HOUSE OF FUN: OUR BUSY EVENTS LINE-UP

by marketing | September 15, 2020 | Events, Latest News | 0 Comments

Bannockburn House Trust is set to host a series of virtual events this month, starting with Doors Open Day this weekend (19-20 September). Volunteers will deliver digital tours to give visitors a glimpse behind the scenes. Events Manager for the Trust,...

Bannockburn House Summer Fayre 19 a Brilliant Success

by admin | August 12, 2019 | Events, Latest News | 0 Comments

What an amazing event, thank you to all our amazing volunteers who put in so much hard work to make sure this event could happen. Both Saturday and Sunday were very well attended, and we had such a positive response from everyone which made the hard work worthwhile....

Easter Event opened the doors to Bannockburn House for 2019

by admin | May 1, 2019 | Events, Latest News | 0 Comments

Easter Event Bannockburn House celebrated the start of its popular spring and summer tours with an Easter Open Day for all the family on Sunday 14thApril 2019. Visitors enjoyed egg-painting, heritage treasure trails, storytelling, face painting and home baking,...

Our Lavish Victorian Garden Party

by admin | September 10, 2018 | Events, Latest News, Volunteer Blog | 0 Comments

On the 4th and 5th of August our wonderful volunteers organised a superb and greatly successful weekend. Even the weather was beautiful to go with it. Hundreds of visitors came to explore the house and gardens over the two days and enjoyed the...

Come to our Victorian Garden Party

by admin | July 12, 2018 | Events, Gardens, Latest News | 0 Comments

Housewarming! Like any other new house owner, Bannockburn House Trust is throwing a party to celebrate! Join us this August at our Victorian garden party. We'll be having garden games, live music and other entertainment, plus lots of activities for all the...