Bruce

Phew! Thursday was some day - varied doesn't begin to cover it.

First up, another Zoom meeting. My annual financial review.at 10am kicked off the day and then it was a short drive to Cumbernauld Village to say farewell to a church colleague and friend who passed away recently. Current restrictions meant only family and close friends were allowed to attend the service in the church but quite a few others, self included, waited outside on the street as the cortège left for the crematorium. Goodbye Jim, rest in peace.

Went for a coffee and catch-up with one of my church friends afterwards and then, since I had a few hours few before my next Zoom meeting (and final Zoom meeting of the week, yay!) at 7.30pm, made the daft decision to drive through to Clackmannan for a short walk there.

I'm leading a Ramblers walk there next Wednesday and wanted to check out a few things beforehand. (I am writing this on Saturday morning and have subsequently done the whole walk as a recce with a friend on Friday. Blip to follow.)  My route took me past Clackmannan Tower and that is my Blip for the day.

The earliest part of Clackmannan Tower was built in the 14th century on land granted to Sir Robert Bruce (not that one!) by King David II, son of Robert the Bruce (yes, that one!) According to Historic Scotland there may have been an earlier royal residence on the site sine the 11th century.

According to the HS website "Extensive alterations to the tower took place in the 1400s, including heightening of the tower and the addition of a second tower to the south, creating an ‘L’ plan. A mansion was added in the late 1500s or 1600s. Clackmannan remained occupied by the Bruces until the late 1700s. By the end of that century the mansion and tower were abandoned, and the mansion was demolished in the early 1800s."

Least said about my evening Zoom meeting the better. It was another long and rather intense one. Much was discussed but, glad to say, much was decided, so that will save us having to repeat the experience for several weeks, perhaps two or three months.