Gargunnock Village History
Home Page - Updated 04/04/04

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"Today is Tomorrows' History"    A Personal Project by John McLaren

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Note the missing "e" in the surname

Gargunnock lies on rising ground at the south side of the Forth valley in Central Scotland, about six miles west of Stirling and less than a mile to the south of the River Forth which formed the old Stirlingshire-Perthshire boundary.

56o 7' 20" North  4o 4' 40" West
Altitude - 16m above sea level

(Photograph taken by Eric Dempster of McNair House who's also famous for his prize-winning home-made lemon curd!)

This is my personal home-site, created for my own enjoyment. but it's also linked into the official Gargunnock Village Web-site as its history page.

I have a steadily growing collection of Gargunnock ephemera; pictures, stories, maps etc. which I've been asked to share with anyone who's interested. I'm also developing the genealogy of my own family which is included here

I don't try to write the definitive book about the place. Instead I present here snippets of local history for your enjoyment.  "Today is tomorrows history" is my excuse for including almost anything about our village here. 

I hope you enjoy the site.  If you do, click on the "Email me" button at the top of the page and let me know, please.  It only takes a minute.  If you have anything of interest for my collection let me know.

If you're a Gargunnock expatriate far away in a foreign land (that's anywhere outside Scotland) look at the "Where Are They Now" page.  If your not on it …. Give me some details and I'll include you.  I enjoy world-wide contacts and have had some very enjoyable ones in the States, Australia, New Zealand, Europe etc.

The Collection

Started only in 1998 after a family history conversation with my daughter, it has grown rapidly since.  Some of it is in the form of originals but mostly it's copies of originals  held by others.  Being a native of Gargunnock whose family have been here since the 1700s I have a lot of the history ingrained in me and since I know almost all of the old-timers (I'll soon be one myself) and quite a few of the in-comers (that's anyone who has been here less than 50 years!) I suspect that helps me quite a bit.  I often hear the comment, "It's good to see someone local doing this at last" 

Contributors to the collection include
Mike Bayliss, the late Jenny Brown, Jean Buchanan (nee Reid), Violet Bonnar (nee Dow), Rev. Richard Campbell, Eddie Cram, Drew Brand, Joyce Chisholm (nee Strang), Joyce Denegri, Meg Dick (nee Carson),  Rev. Catherine Hepburn, Harry Hunter, Gargunnock Primary School, Doreen Harvey, Isobel Jenkins (nee Strang), Kenny Lauder, Jean McFarlane, Andrew McPhate, Gillian Muir, Alex Paton, Catherine Richardson (nee Hill of Kepdarroch), Elisabeth Paterson, Angus Mailer, Johan Mailer (nee McLaren), Ian McCallum, The McLaren Family History Archive, Andrew McPhate, Sylvia Miller, Sadie Paterson (nee McCallum),  Anne Preston, Hugh Ramsay, the late "Molly" Strang (nee Simpson),  , Alan K. Smith, the late Gertrude J. Travis, the late Rev. William Turner MA BD, the late Archie Young.


Purpose

My intention is to collect anything and everything related to Gargunnock however small or apparently insignificant for the use of others in the future.  I see my role as that of archivist and intend my archive to survive.  There have been private collections in the past which have disappeared without trace on the death of the owner.  I know of only two currently existing, both of which I have been privileged to study, copy and add to.

Aims and Ethics

  • My intention is to build an archive for others to use in the future. 
  • While building this archive I will not be part of any organisation or committee where I think it might conflict with the aims of the collection. (Easy for me as I'm not a committee person)
  • All information, photographs, items etc lent to me for copying or recording will be returned quickly (same day if possible) or recorded on-site.
  • I will not "publish" anything in any form without the permission of the owner.
  • Anything which is published will not be for personal financial gain except to cover colour printing costs or aid the expansion of the collection.
  • I try to ensure that anyone who supplies me with anything for the archive will receive  something in return. (e.g. an enlarged, improved, or enhanced copy of an original)

Personal Details

Born here during the war. My ancestors have been here since the 1780s at least. so the place is in my genes.  I've never felt the need to move away, the place has too much going for it.

Schooling at Gargunnock Primary (now the Community Centre) from 1948 then The High School of Stirling (1955-'61)

Worked as a Roads Engineer with Stirling County Council, Central Regional Council and Clackmannanshire Council from 1961 to 1997 when I took early retirement. Did Consultancy work with Stirling Council 'till 2000 then retired permanently to a busy life as Husband, occasional Car Delivery Driver, Magazine Editor and lately, first-time Grandfather.

Personally Recommended Web Sites etc

  • Ian McCallum's Scottish Ancestors Genealogy Site - Ian stayed in Trelawney Cottage in the Square, Gargunnock for a time and is an expert in his subject. 

  • He researched the history of that block of houses which includes McNair House, Glenfoyle Cottage and Trelawney Cottage and the story makes informative and fascinating reading, and even includes a possible murder! 

    His book is also a useful genealogical database as it includes such things as a voters role from 1832, Farmers club members 1794-1917, the complete 1881 Census for the village as well as interesting maps, photos and much more.