Castles are crucial to twin-town moves

Nov 21 2008 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Friday

STIRLING Provost Fergus Wood recently met with his counterpart from Trim County Council, Cahaoirleach Trevor Gordon in Trim of Navan, County Meath, Ireland, to discuss possible future partnership links between Doune and Deanston, and Trim.

Representatives of Kilmadock Development Trust, Historic Scotland and Stirling Council met with Trim County Council to explore the links that the two historic towns can forge.

The town of Trim is home to Western Europe's largest Norman castle – Trim Castle (or King John's Castle) was built in the late 12th century following the Norman invasion of Ireland's eastern seaboard.

Provost Wood said: “The trip was extremely useful and we look forward to building the relationship further when the members of Trim County Council visit Stirling in February. They were particularly interested in the community involvement by Historic Scotland at Doune Castle.”

The two rural areas are similar in location and background and Trim Castle was the location used for filming large parts of Mel Gibson’s Braveheart while Doune Castle was used for filming some of the most famous scenes in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

The provost was joined on the trip by Councillor Gerald O’Brien, Diana Campbell of Kilmadock Development Trust and Historic Scotland Educational officer Kirsteen Wood, proposed the link between Trim and Stirling.