Saturday 30th May 2026
The second part of the perambulation ceremony took place a week later. Once again our convenor, Capt. Michael Carruthers and his immediate family were there, to the left is Michael and his wife Sue, Karen was also in attendance.
This ancient custom of perambulating – carefully walking or riding the boundaries of the Marches to maintain boundaries has seen a resurgence and would in the past have been very important to the community. Current perambulations in Scotland, are bringing communities together on a historic basis in modern times. A wee bit of pageantry never goes wrong in conjoining the place with its people.
The custom dates back at least to the 12th century, following the establishment of Stirling as a Royal Burgh under David I of Scotland. The earliest surviving documentary reference is from 1611, though the practice is believed to be considerably older. It comes in two parts, the oath taking and signing and the walking of the marches over two weekends.
All the Chiefs and their representatives, honoured to Walk the Stirling Marches.
Michael is 3rd from the left resplendent in the official Carruthers tartan
In attendance this weekend again was:
Timothy Atkinson, for and on behalf of Sir Michael Grant of Grant,
The Lord Strathspey, Chief of the Name of Arms of Grant and Peggy Crossman, Banner Bearer.
Ross McEwen, Seanchaidh, for and on behalf of Sir John Roderick Hugh McEwen of Marchmont and Bardrochat, Baronet, Chief of the Name and Arms of the Honourable Clan MacEwen with David McEwen and Ewan Rowland, Banner Bearer.
John Michael Baillie-Hamilton Buchanan of that Ilk, Chief of the Name and Arms of Buchanan with Angus Buchanan of that Ilk, Younger.
Michael Carruthers, for and on behalf of Dr Simon Peter Carruthers of Holmains, Chief of Carruthers
Madam Pauline Hunter of Hunterston, Chief of Clan Hunter, with Louise Hunter, her daughter and Graham Wright, Macer Venatorus.
Rupert Christopher Irving of Bonshaw, Chief of the Border Irvings with his partner Nikki Andrew.
Thomas Urquhart, Chieftain of Clan Urquhart, for and on behalf of Col. Wilkins Urquhart of Urquhart, Chief of Clan Urquhart with Dee Urquhart his Wife and Jamie Differ, Banner Bearer.
The dress code was day-wear highland dress.
Our Own Michael leading the way carrying the Chief’s Pinsel
As previously stated this part of the event was the actual ‘Walking of the Marches’ and inspection of the city boundary along with the Marshals as Protectors of the Birlawmen. Once again it was organised by The Court of Perambulation in Stirling, meeting at the Rotunda.
On this occasion the assembled parties, to include the Clan Chiefs and representatives (Marshalls) waited while the Birlawmen are piped in and after a brief introduction and welcome, the procession formed up and was led through Stirling in the following sharp procession order:
Burgh Mace
Birlawmen
Blue Blanket of the Seven Incorporated Trades
Pipe Band
Lord Provost, Dean of Guild, Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Deacon Convenor of the Seven
Incorporated Trades
Clan Chiefs (Marshals), Banner bearers, and Supporters
Representatives for the town Linlithgow Riding of the Marches
Representatives for the town of Irving Riding of the Marches
University of Stirling Pipe Band.
The procession marched through Stirling to two historic sites in Scottish history : the Church of the Holy Rude and Cowane’s Hospital. The church remains a focal point of faith and heritage it witnessed the worship of Mary, Queen of Scots, the crowning of her infant son King James VI and I and many significant events, including the Scottish reformation and the Jacobite rising.
The term “Rude” is a medieval word for the “Cross of Crucifixion”. It is the second oldest building in Stirling after Stirling Castle and was founded by King David I in 1129. It Served as the Parish Church of Stirling until it was destroyed by fire in 1405. It was rebuilt by 1451, forming the present ‘Nave’. Stirling Castle and the Church, both on Castle Hill, are historically significant as controlling Stirling was said to hold the key to Scotland. These landmarks ie the Church and the Castle witnessed some major key events such as the Battles of Stirling Bridge in 1297 and Bannockburn in 1314
After the meeting at the Church, it was followed by entertainment and lunch and speeches in Cowane’s hospital, another part of Stirlings history. .
Cowane’s Hospital is a 17th-century alms-house in the Old Town of Stirling located in the area known as Top o’ the Town, just below Stirling Castle and opposite the Church of the Holy Rude where King James VI was crowned. It was established in 1637 with a bequest of 40,000 merks from the estate of the merchant John Cowane (also referred to as Auld Staney Breeks) and is considered by Historic Scotland to be ‘a rare survival of 17th Century burgh architecture and one of the finest buildings of its kind in Scotland’.
Oath signed by the Stirling Birlawme
As in the last blog, which reminded us of the time and effort put in by senior members of the clan and society, again our Convenor steps up to the mark. As well as continuing to work on his new home and the future society headquarters in Annan, like others, both his family and himself, have given up their precious time to be there in our name. But let us not forget those others from all around the world who do the same.
In fact, I’d personally like to thank all those of our name who work very hard in the background: Greg and Liz in Australia, Ian in Africa, Laurie and her team in Canada, Cecilia Mitchell Carruthers in Europe, Dana and Marc in the USA and all of us here in the UK to include our newest Commissioner Greg, who are always there for us.
Well done and thank you to you all.
Promptus et Fidelis
Non Sto Solus
