2009 SRGC Discussion Weekend

[annew]

The Pineapple?? 

[Anthony Darby]

With all the other attractions I think it would be folly to visit the pineapple.

[ranunculus]

I just Googled it, Anne ... it meant nothing to me either?   

Located ½ mile (1 km) northwest of Airth (Stirling), the Pineapple is a most unusual edifice, built on his estate by John Murray, the 4th Earl of Dunmore, in 1761. The pineapple, then a rare delicacy, was a symbol of wealth. The Earl's example was dramatic to say the least; 23m (75 feet) in height, his pineapple is intricately carved from stone. Mounted on top of a rather more traditional Palladian pavilion, the design of this folly has been accredited to Sir William Chambers (1723-96).

Above the south entrance are designs taken from the Douglas-Hamilton coat-of-arms along with the motto Fidelis in Adversis, commemorating the marriage, in 1803, of George Murray, the 5th Earl of Dunmore, to Lady Susan Douglas-Hamilton, daughter of the Duke of Hamilton.

This extraordinary monument was gifted to the National Trust for Scotland in 1974. The Landmark Trust was able to obtain a long-term lease and restored the building to form an unusual holiday retreat.

[Maggi Young]

See Folks, you're learning "stuff" and you haven't even got there yet 

[Anthony Darby]

.....and less than 15 minutes by car from the Inchyra.

I think the new Clackmannanshire Bridge over the River Forth opens tomorrow which will give an alternative route for people coming from the north.

[Mick McLoughlin]

The Landmark Trust was able to obtain a long-term lease and restored the building to form an unusual holiday retreat.


The McLoughlins stayed in this unusual holiday retreat about 4 years ago. I will look for some pics at home tonight.

[Tony Willis]

I have just done a virtual trip over the new Clackmannanshire Bridge into the glorious area to the North. In real life it is very elegant.

www.clacksweb.org.uk/transport/clackmannanshirebridge/

If you have followed its construction you will know that the local councillors have spent as long arguing over its name if not longer than it has taken to build.The trivia of local politics. I doubt if anybody will ever call it by its new name.

[David Shaw]

Probably quite a few virtual major accidents already, Tony, if everyone gets the same driver that I had.
More seriously, will there be any advantage for those of us coming down from the north, Anthony? One of my problems with the Kincardine Bridge is the tangle of trunk roads to the north of Kincardine. It is much easier to just come down the A/M9 and cross at Stirling.

[Anthony Darby]

If you have followed its construction you will know that the local councillors have spent as long arguing over its name if not longer than it has taken to build.The trivia of local politics. I doubt if anybody will ever call it by its new name.

The bridge was built on time and on budget, which is a first. What was its old name Tony? I didn't think it had one?

Kincardine Bridge was a bottleneck due to the village of Kincardine being unable to cope with the traffic. This bridge bypasses that.

[Liz Mills]

I crossed the 'Clackmannanshire Bridge' 3 times yesterday and it's a big improvement, David.  Coming from the north, you have one new roundabout on the north side, then a straight run over the water to a new roundabout.  From there you enter a flyover over the horrible roundabout (need I say more) and can continue straight on to the M876 - much, much quicker than any of the old routes - and much less stressful too for an auld wifie like myself.

[Tony Willis]

Anthony it did not have a name before.  Just a lot of local politicians with peanuts for brains arguing amongst themselves, wanting it called something which would ensure them their fifteen minutes of fame for posterity. Its just a bridge after all. I notice the new road signs have no mention of its name just where it leads to.

[Anthony Darby]

Actually it was called the 'Upper Forth Crossing'.

[Maggi Young]

I am SO tempted to make jokes about what then of the Upper Fifth..... but I'd have to fine myself so I'll say nothing 

[fermi de Sousa]

I am SO tempted to make jokes about what then of the Upper Fifth..... but I'd have to fine myself so I'll say notihing 

If you were American you could always plead the Fifth
cheers
fermi

[Anthony Darby]

Actually, neither end of the bridge is in Clackmannanshire. One is in Stirlingshire and the other Fife, so the Fif(e)th bridge would have been quite an apt name.