Quarry fight on the march

Jun 17 2009 by Gregor White, Stirling Observer Wednesday

THE third annual re-enactment of a key event in the Battle of Bannockburn is staged in Cambusbarron this weekend.

Protesters against plans for extended quarrying at nearby Gillies Hill will stage their version of the descent of the gillies on to the field of Bannockburn on Sunday.

Attracting around 500 participants last year, the re-enactment remembers the moment when a collection of Robert the Bruce’s camp followers emerged from hiding during a key moment in the battle, banging pots and pans and creating confusion among the English forces.

For the past two years the Save the Gillies Hill group has used the reenactment to draw public attention to its campaign against quarrying plans.

A spokesperson said: “We can’t imagine any other country in the world would allow the legal destruction of its most precious historical icon.

“Would America sell off the Field of Gettysburg?

“Or how about the beaches of Normandy that featured so prominently in the recent commemoration of the D-Day Landings? Would the French remove them for building purposes?”

In 2002 Stirling Council granted permission for a large-scale extension of quarrying on the hill. No attempt at extending operations has taken place but protesters say it is important to ensure their opposition remains visible.

SGH chairperson Susan McGill said some people assume the battle against quarry firm Hanson has already been won.

She said: “The ball is still in the court of the quarriers: they still have permission, albeit permission deemed to be legally flawed, to recommence operations at any time.

“While they have the resources of a massive multi-national at their disposal, we have only people power – which is unbeatable, provided our supporters and sympathisers turn out”.

The march sets off from Cambusbarron playpark at 2pm.