ACT NOW TO STOP SCOTLAND’S HISTORY BEING BLASTED AWAY

ACT NOW TO STOP SCOTLAND'S HISTORY BEING BLASTED AWAY!

An area of huge Scottish historical importance is to be destroyed.

Gillies Hill, a piece of land on the outskirts of Stirling which played a pivotal role in the Battle of Bannockburn, is to be eradicated for a new large scale quarry. The hill played a pivotal role in Scotland’s history when Robert the Bruce’s troops rested there on the eve of the Battle of Bannockburn, in 1314.

Now, almost 700 years since English invaders were driven out of Stirling, we face new invaders in the form of Tarmac and Hanson. The companies have give notice that they intend to quadruple the size of the existing Murrayshall Quarry - a move which would effectively destroy Gillies Hill.

The work will also see a massive increase of heavy traffic through Cambusbarron, the village which lies at the foot of the hill, as well as many communities throughout Stirling. Over 40 lorries a day are expected to thunder through the local communities, past several schools.

The route the lorries will take is a road popular with children walking to school.

The new quarry would also see the destruction of wildlife on Gillies Hill, an area popular with walkers.As a result of this threat to our history, wildlife and children, a new pressure group, the Campaign to Save Gillie Hill has been formed. The group are now calling on the Scottish Executive to intervene in this matter of national historical importance. People are been strongly urged to visit the Executive’s website and sign the e-petition to hold a public inquiry into the awarding of quarrying licenses to Tarmac and Hanson.

We are also campaigning for the Gillies Hill to be awarded National Monument status.

Campaign spokesperson, Joseph Bloggs, said: “It’s an outrage they’re even considering destroying Gillies Hill.

“Stirling Council should be ashamed of themselves for granting permission to these companies.....They wouldn’t dream of blasting near Stirling Castle or the Wallace Monument, so why would they allow the destruction of Gillies Hill.”

He added: "This physical icon of Scotland's greatest battle should not be smashed away. It is a beautiful area for people from Cambusbarron and further afield and the impact of the quarrying on wildlife will be immense.

”The increase on heavy good traffic through the area will also put our children’s lives at risk.

“Something must be done to prevent this travesty.”

The extended quarry will also destroy an Iron Age Fort on the hill.

Local historian, Dr Fiona Watson, a lecturer at Stirling University, has backed the campaign. She said:

"There is no doubt in my mind that it would be a great shame if something like this hill, which still represents such an important moment in our history, was lost.”

WE MUST ACT NOW - BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE