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

GREEN FINGERED PLAN FOR CHILDREN’S GARDENING WEEK

by marketing | May 17, 2021 | Gardens, Latest News | 0 Comments

To celebrate Children’s Gardening Week (29 May - 6 June) Bannockburn House is giving away over 75 mini growing kits to local childminders and nurseries. Local nurseries will be given fruit and veg packs, including strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, parsley,...

Bannockburn House begins beekeeping journey

by marketing | May 8, 2021 | Gardens, Latest News | 0 Comments

Bannockburn House volunteers were buzzing with anticipation last weekend, eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first honey-bees. Head Gardener Kate White said: “The two bee colonies will help pollinate our newly planted orchard and hopefully they’ll produce some...

Sad passing of Susie, the Bannockburn House Cat

by marketing | April 23, 2021 | Gardens, Volunteer Blog | 0 Comments

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die……….a time to mourn, and a time to dance." Regular readers of this blog and volunteers at the House will know Susie, our cat. Susie was...

Spring: a time of hope and renewal

by marketing | March 31, 2021 | Gardens, Volunteer Blog | 0 Comments

Here's Margaret Pollock with the latest update from our gardens: So the clocks have sprung forward, the equinox is behind us and summer lies ahead. The bees are beginning to fly out and about and spring is definitely on its way. This is such an invigorating time of...

“If February give much snow, a fine summer it doth foreshow”

by marketing | February 25, 2021 | Gardens, Latest News | 0 Comments

It's almost the end of February and time to join Margaret Pollock to find out what's been going on in the garden this month: The weather has changed dramatically and suddenly all the snow has gone but whilst it lay, it was pretty up at the House. I couldn’t...

THE WINTER GARDEN

by marketing | January 20, 2021 | Gardens | 0 Comments

Margaret Pollock shares her observations from the winter garden: Well this has certainly been a chilly start to 2021 with a hard frost, snow and ice. WINTRY SCENE The ‘Doocot Loch’ has been frozen solid and without the geese, it is unusually quiet. All...

IT MAY FEEL LIKE WINTER, BUT IT’S TIME TO PLAN FOR SPRING

by marketing | December 10, 2020 | Gardens, Volunteer Blog | 0 Comments

As Christmas fast approaches, we caught up with Margaret Pollock in the garden: "December is passing rapidly with ever shortening days while, weather permitting, we try to get...

“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....

History Blog

CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

by marketing | March 26, 2021 | History, Volunteer Blog | 0 Comments

To mark Women's History month, history volunteer Anne Monaghan shares the stories of three women who worked at Bannockburn House in the first part of the 20th century: MARY WINTER Mary was a table maid at Bannockburn House in 1911 and 'lived in'. Born in...

JACOBITE JANUARY

by marketing | January 22, 2021 | History, Latest News | 0 Comments

Nearly 2,000 people tuned into our Big Jacobite Afternoon Lecture on Facebook on Sunday. The free virtual event, held on the 17th of January to coincide with the 275th anniversary of the Battle of Falkirk Muir, featured six local experts including Stirling Council...

HOGMANAY TRADITIONS

by marketing | December 22, 2020 | History, Latest News, Uncategorized, Volunteer Blog | 0 Comments

History group volunteer Anne Monaghan discusses Hogmanay traditions as we wave goodbye to 2020 and look forward to 2021: Who remembers when Hogmanay involved “First Footing” and all the preparations done before that First Foot could be welcomed in? Nowadays...

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

WE’RE DISHING UP MORE COOK-ALONG FUN

by marketing | May 10, 2021 | Events, Latest News | 0 Comments

Our popular cook-along sessions are back for 2021! After a successful pilot during Forth Valley Food Festival last October, we have secured funding from Scotland Loves Local to run three more online sessions this year; with free ingredient packs for locals joining in...

PUTTING BANNOCKBURN AND THE EASTERN VILLAGES ON THE MAP

by marketing | February 2, 2021 | Events, Latest News | 0 Comments

Bannockburn House has teamed up with national wildlife charity Froglife to create a tapestry map depicting local heritage: from landscapes and habitats, to wildlife and buildings. Ross Caldwell, Events Manager for Bannockburn House said: “We’ll be delivering...

HOUSE HOSTS FIRST MAJOR ART EXHIBITION

by marketing | December 3, 2020 | Events, Latest News | 0 Comments

To mark Bannockburn House’s first major art installation, TRANSPARENCy, we caught up with the ten local artists involved to find out more about their artwork: Organised by Gossip Collective, the contemporary art exhibition was the brainchild of visual artist Lesley...

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,...