Published on:
19
June 2009
The historic kirkyards of Clackmannanshire are the last resting places of many people who helped to shape the history of the county. From the famous to the unknown, they all made a contribution to the life of the county and deserve to be remembered.
Guided tours of all of Clackmannanshire's older kirkyards will take place from July until September as part of Meet Your Ancestors in Clackmannanshire, the county's Homecoming Scotland celebrations.
The weekly bus tours will be led by local experts who will highlight the fascinating buildings and intriguing gravestones which can be found in the county's kirkyards. The tours will also give people lots of other interesting facts about the county's rich heritage.
Full and half day tours are available, starting on Wednesday 1st July, and there are two tours to choose from.
The west tour takes in Alloa Old Kirkyard and Greenside Cemetery, Tullibody Heritage Centre and Tullibody Old Kirkyard, the old graveyard at Logie and Alva Old Kirkyard.
The full-day tour starts at 10.30am at Alloa Railway Station and ends at 4.20 pm at Alloa Railway Station. The half-day tour starts at 1pm at Tullibody Heritage Centre and ends at 4.35pm at the same point.
The west tour can be booked on Wednesdays 1st and 22nd July, 5th and 19th August, 9th September and on Sundays 19th July, 2nd and 16th August, 6th and 13th September.
The east tour takes in Tillicoultry Old Kirkyards, Dollar Kirkyard and Dollar Museum, Muckhart Cemetery, Clackmannan Old Kirkyard and Clackmannan Tower.
The full-day tour starts at 10.30am at Alloa Railway Station and ends at 4.20 pm at Alloa Railway Station. The half-day tour starts at noon in Bridge Street, Dollar and ends at 4.45pm at the same point (opposite the Castle Campbell Hotel).
The east tour can be booked on Wednesdays 15th and 29th July, 12th and 26th August, 16th September and on Sundays 12th and 26th July, 9th and 16th August, 6th and 20th September.
Councillor Kenny Earle, spokesman for tourism, said: "Ancestral tourism is a major part of Homecoming Scotland and with the current upsurge in interest in researching family roots, I'm sure visitors and local people will take the chance to go on these tours. For many people, going on this sort of tour can be an emotional journey and for some overseas visitors it will be a once in a lifetime experience. I'm sure Clackmannanshire will give them a warm welcome."
For more information please see ClacksWeb or pick up a Meet Your Ancestors leaflet in any Council building. To book tickets call 01259 213131.
1. Homecoming Scotland is a Scottish Government initiative managed by EventScotland, the National Events Agency, in partnership with VisitScotland,
the National Tourism Agency.
2. Homecoming Scotland 2009 aims to motivate people of Scottish descent, as well as those who simply love Scotland, to come home in 2009 and take part in an inspirational celebration of our culture, heritage and the many great contributions Scotland has given to the world.
3. 2009 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns, with the programme's design guided by Scotland's unique position as the home of Burns himself, Golf, Whisky, great minds and innovations, rich culture and heritage and as the ancestral home of millions of people of Scots descent worldwide.
4. For more information on Homecoming Scotland please visit homecomingscotland2009.com or contact Gayle Wilson PR Manager on 0131 472 2067.