The Gask Ridge is an early chain of frontier forts, watchtowers and fortifications built by the Romans in Caledonia (Scotland). The Ridge comes close to Dunblane at the Ardoch Roman Fort in Braco, the Glenbank Fortlet, Doune Roman Fort, and Bochastle Roman Fort in Callander.
The fort system was built around 80 CE along the Highland Line, the boundary between Scotland’s fertile lowlands and mountainous highlands. Beginning at Glenbank north of Dunblane and finishing at Bertha, the Gask Ridge was one of Rome’s earliest fortified land frontiers. (Construction on Hadrian’s Wall wouldn’t begin for another 42 years)
The military centre of the frontier was the Legionary fortress of Inchtuthil overlooking the north bank of the River Tay. Inchtuthil was built for the forces of Governor Gnaeus Julius Agricola as the advance headquarters for campaigning against the northern tribes.
The traditional theory for the forts construction was to prevent invading Caledonians from raiding Roman-held lands. The value of the forts to block a larger mass invasion from the north is doubtful, as only Inchtuthil had the necessary soldiers and defensives to place a hurdle strong enough to fight a war along the chain.
Recent archaeological evidence has even shown, that depsite many of the forts on the Gask Ridge being rebuilt, sometimes twice, there is no evidence of destruction occuring through warfare. North of the Gask Ridge was a series of marching camps that the Romans constructed in the 1st century during their exploratory campaigning as far north as Inverness (and possibly further).
By 86 CE Rome established a policy of three standing legions for Britannia, and a military withdrawal south was declared. The Gask Ridge frontier, along with its fortifications was abandoned no later than 90 CE. Find out more
From the Stirling Observer 10 January 2017
More than a ton of goods was collected by Dunblane Boys' Brigade members in their bid to help Start Up Stirling.
Organisers were delighted with the response and say the amount collected was impressive as people responded to the request to donate toilet paper and feminine hygiene products- neither of which weigh much. Dozens of the boys helped over the three-hour public donation period and many assisted to unload the food at Start Up's new, larger depot in Stirling.
Captain of 25th Stirling (Dunblane) BB, Paul Christmas, said: "Although it is undoubtedly sad that the demand for the food bank continues to rise, we are pleased and proud to have a regular association with Start Up Stirling, who do so much to address the i problems being faced by many in communities around Stirling."
BB member Jack Robinson (16) added, "We have been helping out the food bank with big collections twice a year since 2011 and we have a monthly collection on our Friday night meetings but we do enjoy helping outwith these big collection nights and it's brilliant to see so many people coming in with donations." Donations came in thanks to support from schools and churches advertising the event plus appeals in print media. Members of Dunblane Cathedral helped by taking part in the Reverse Advent Calendar activity.
Officers and boys of Dunblane BB would like to thank everyone who helped spread the word or donate in anyway to the success of the event.
Update 18 December 2017
Scottish Rural Action seeks your views
The Royal Bank of Scotland is to close its branch in Dunblane & Bridge of Allan
Update Sunday Lunchtime 3 December
Dozens of people including lots of children have been out on the Laigh Hills today planting fruit trees - a great success!
Help Plant an Orchard on the Laigh Hills
We will need help planting fruit trees on the Laigh Hills. So if you can help please come along on Sunday 3rd December (weather willing) to dig a hole and plant a tree or three. If you are a child, please bring along an adult. If you are an adult please bring a spade and a hammer and join in the fun. We will be having a try out of the planting scheme on Saturday 2nd December so if you want to do a little more and maybe help groups who come along to plant on Sunday 3rd December please contact Alan Booth at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call on 01786 824791.
Improving Access to the Laigh Hills
Members of the Laigh Hills Park Masterplan Steering Group have managed to secure a significant sum of money from the European funded Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) to Improve Public Access to the Laigh Hills. Almost 2km of improved paths and steps with drainage, seats, signs and fingerposts will be constructed by Stirling Council’s in house team from early November
An Orchard in the Laigh Hills
Thanks to a grant obtained by the Laigh Hills Steering Group from Tesco’s Bags of Help fund, we hope to plant some 300 fruit trees in early December. This time we will need help from the wider community to help plant the trees Further details will be posted closer to the planting dates. The fruit trees will include a Scottish Apple Collection, a Plum Collection, Modern Apples – Dessert (eaters) and Cookers, a Scottish Pear Collection, Damsons and other fruits
Some Background : A Community Orchard was alluded to in the Laigh Hills Park Dunblane Strategic Landscape Master Plan 2014. This document and process had wide community support. The development of a "heritage" orchard or orchards on the Laigh Hills -- particularly on the sites that have bracken problems at the moment -- would be the first phase of the Community Orchard development.
The orchard will provide free fruit for walkers and encourage active recreational use of the Park whilst enhancing the biodiversity of the area. The community, through a friends group, would be involved in planting and maintaining the trees.
The orchard will focus on establishing heritage fruit trees, including apples, pears and plums and suitable varieties of bare rooted stock will be obtained from a local fruit tree nursery. Tree will be staked and guards will protect the young trees from deer, voles and rabbits. The trees will be planted by volunteers from the community and from local schools and expert site visit and advice and will also be used to ensure that the orchard is successfully established. As well as providing fruit, the orchard will be an attractive feature in the Park and will attract more wildlife to the area.
For the really interested the list of varieties planned, follow these links
Join the ‘Friends of the Laigh Hills’
It was always intended that a Friends of the Laigh Hills group would maintain the orchard and there has been a good number of folk who have expressed an interest. However this phase of the works on the Laigh Hills calls for more community involvement so if you would want to become a Friend of the Laigh Hills and help in some way please contact Alan Booth at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call on 01786 824791.
Play Facilities?
The play facilities at the Laigh Hills are due for improvement by Stilring Council – this from funds provided by developers over the years. More news shortly.
The Royal Bank of Scotland is to close its branch offices in Dunblane & Bridge of Allan
Keir Home Farm contained a very fine set of buildings.
Now Registers for Scotland considers the farm to be 'At Risk'.
See photos and the report on Keir Home Farm
Also see photos from Deadline News /Forgotten Scotland
There are other buildings on the estate which are 'At Risk'.
From the Architect’s Journal ; 21 November, 2017 By Merlin Fulcher
Competition: Braeport Centre, Dunblane
The Dunblane Development Trust (DDT) is seeking an architect for a £500,000 extension to its Category C-listed Braeport Centre The winner of the estimated £16,000 contract will complete a feasibility study exploring options to upgrade and enlarge the community centre which occupies a former primary school in the Braeport area of the historic town. The phased £500,000 project will demolish an existing portacabin extension featuring a kitchen and toilets, reconfigure the interior of the 1880s structure and create a replacement new build expansion with additional storage spaces. According to the brief: ‘Over the coming years it is the DDT’s intention to refurbish and extend the existing facilities to provide a more modern and improved facility, better able to accommodate the needs of the community in the future, and of businesses needing flexible workspace for businesses and services for older people and people with dementia. ‘In order to achieve these ambitions for the Braeport the DDT is seeking to complete a feasibility study to identify what improvements could realistically be made to the existing facilities and also what additional facilities could be added by extending the existing building.’ is a small commuter town in the Stirling area of Scotland close to both Glasgow and Edinburgh. The Braeport Centre was set up in the 1960s in the former premises of a three-classroom primary school. The building has capacity for up to 210-people across its three hireable rooms along with a small meeting space, office and kitchen. The latest project aims to upgrade facilities and expand the space available to the centre’s users. The deadline for applications is 12noon on 22 December.
How to apply : View the contract notice for more information
Contact details : Ian Gill and David MacPherson, Dunblane Development Trust, Braeport Centre, Braeport, Dunblane FK15 0AT +44 1786822422 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.