Heart of Scotland Ancestry

13/10/2025

A few weeks ago, I met with a potential client from the USA at Stirling Castle on a clear, bright day. The light was perfect for capturing the scale and detail of a site that’s central to Scotland’s story—and to mine, having been born and grown up here in Stirling.

These photographs offer a glimpse of the Castle. It is not just a historic monument, but a place that continues to shape how we understand Scotland's long history. It’s a fitting backdrop for the kind of work I do—researching and preserving the lives and records of those who came before us and whose many descendants are now dotted all over the world.

06/10/2025

If you are ever in Old Aberdeen, take a minute to visit King’s College Chapel and check out Bishop Elphinstone’s tomb. He founded the University of Aberdeen back in 1495, but oddly enough, his memorial didn’t appear until 1915—and it’s a stunner. Bronze, stone, and packed with symbolism, it’s well worth a look.

This article by Nellie Merthe Erkenbach on The Graveyards of Scotland website gives a great overview of the man, the monument, and the long road to getting it built. Worth a read.

A Monument to Aberdeen University’s Visionary Founder If you ever find yourself wandering through the ancient heart of Old Aberdeen, make sure to step into the breathtaking King’s College Chapel. T…

03/09/2025

Today I attended the annual Scottish Police Memorial Service at The Scottish Police College, Tulliallan, with my daughter Emma. The Memorial, comprising three granite blocks engraved with the names of officers, is in the beautiful grounds of the College and was first unveiled in September 2004.

It includes the names of the 350 police officers from across Scotland who lost their lives in service. My dad, Sgt Harry Lawrie, is included on the memorial, so it is always poignant to visit Tulliallan and see Dad's name on the memorial. Today I was also able to view the Memorial Book, which has a page dedicated to each officer listed on the memorial . I took a photograph of Dad's page for my records.

The unique thing about Tulliallan is that all police officers serving in Scotland from the late 1950s attended Tulliallan for their basic training at the start of their service, as well as on various courses during their time in the job. That included Dad in 1960 and myself in 1986. I have a photograph of Dad standing in the grounds of Tulliallan from around 1960, when he joined Stirling & Clackmannan Police. Where he is standing is just across from where the memorial stands and where the service was held today. The trees have grown a bit since then!!!

For anyone researching the death on duty of a police officer in Scotland, the work of The Scottish Police Memorial Trust will be invaluable and includes a Roll of Honour which can be seen at its website at https://spmt.scot/

14/08/2025

13/08/2025

Looking forward to attending Stirling Highland Games this Saturday, where I will be giving a half-hour talk on Scottish Ancestry in the Discover Stirling marquee at 12.30pm.

Hoping to have the opportunity to chat afterwards with like-minded people and promote Scottish family history research for both visitors and locals.

Details in the link below.

Our Discover Stirling marquee is back at this year's Gathering on Saturday, 16th August, and can be found in the new food and drinks area on site.

We listened to suggestions from last year and have brought together 3 fantastic speakers as part of our Scotland Talks sessions for visitors. These talks are ticketed [£10 each] and can only be bought on the day inside the Discover Stirling marquee. Each talk is limited to 30 tickets.

You choose which Scotland Talks sessions you attend.😍

12:30 - Gary Lawrie

Your Scotland Story – Discovering Your Scottish Roots

Around the world today, more than 40 million people can claim Scottish ancestry (Devine, The Scottish Nation: A History, 1700–2000, 1999). Whether your forebears settled in Nova Scotia, North Carolina, Adelaide, or Otago, they carried with them a deep pride in their Scottish heritage — a pride still alive in their descendants.

13:00 - Dr Murray Cook [pictured]

Fortifying Stirling - Discovering more about Stirling

Come and hear Dr Murray Cook explore the topic of fortifying Stirling with its various castle and fort positions around Stirling. See a real piece of vitrified stone from Mote Hill and understand the extreme temperatures it took to create this.

14:30 - Michael Naismith

The History of Bagpipes

We welcome Michael Naismith, our Official Chieftains Piper, to talk about the amazing history of the bagpipes. A regular talk at the Argylls Museum, we are delighted to welcome him to speak with some of our visitors in the Discover Stirling marquee.