Jackie Baillie MSP; Bruce’s Stables in Cardross Road; Portrayals of Robert the Bruce and Dumbarton Rock. PICTURE by Arthur Jones
By Bill Heaney
The Lennox Herald’s Robert the Bruce campaign is looking for reinforcements.
Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, the Vale of Leven and Helensburgh, has called on the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, June Hyslop, to support it.
During a members’ debate on Tuesday, MSPs debated Scottish Tourism and the Dumbarton Constituency MSP took the opportunity to highlight some of the attractions and experiences that her constituency has to offer tourists.
The MSP told members about Loch Lomond, Helensburgh, Arrochar, Dumbarton Castle and the areas award-winning attractions.
She also took the opportunity to highlight the great historical significance that Dumbarton Castle has to Scotland, having drawn famous and important figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots and the wizard Merlin to the area.
In addition, Jackie Baillie told members about the Lennox Herald’s campaign to have Robert the Bruce commemorated in the constituency and asked the Cabinet Secretary to engage in a discussion about how the Scottish Government could help.
Ms Baillie said: “My constituency includes Loch Lomond, Helensburgh, the Arrochar alps, Dumbarton Castle and much more.
“Dumbarton Castle has the longest recorded history of any stronghold in Scotland and is, of course, home to several famous and important figures such as Mary, Queen of Scotland, right, and the wizard Merlin.
“Another major historical figure is Robert the Bruce and I commend the campaign that the Lennox Herald is running to recognise the contribution that Robert the Bruce made to shaping Scotland, and indeed, Dumbarton.
“Given that he lived some of his life in Renton and Cardross and that St Serf’s church is one of the burial sites for his remains, it makes sense for him to be commemorated here.
“I hope that the Cabinet Secretary will agree to meet with me to discuss how the Scottish Government can assist.”
The Dumbarton Democrat is doing its own bit to help increase the number of visitors to Dumbarton, Loch Lomondside and Helensburgh by publicising the area across the world on our 21st century, digital newspaper.
The editor, Bill Heaney, has also written two books about the social history of the old Lennox County – All Our Yesterdays and Two Minutes Silence, which are available at Ardardan by Ardmore; the Lomond Craft Shop in Mitchell Way, Alexandria; the Loch Lomond Gift House in Balloch; Helensburgh Heroes in Sinclair Street; John McCann’s in Bridge Street, Dumbarton; Silverton Post Office; The Big Sparra Cafe, Glasgow Road; , and the Colquhoun Stores in Luss.