Duncarron is a modern reproduction of a

fortified A fortification (also called a fort, fortress, fastness, or stronghold) is a military construction designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from Lat ...

village from the early

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and ...

Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...

. It is the

reconstruction Reconstruction may refer to: Politics, history, and sociology *Reconstruction (law), the transfer of a company's (or several companies') business to a new company *''Perestroika'' (Russian for "reconstruction"), a late 20th century Soviet Union ...

of a typical

residence A residence is a place (normally a building) used as a home or dwelling, where people reside. Residence or The Residence may also refer to: * Domicile (law) In law and conflict of laws, domicile is relevant to an individual's "personal l ...

of a Scottish

clan chief The Scottish Gaelic word means children. In early times, and possibly even today, Scottish clan members believed themselves to descend from a common ancestor, the founder of the clan, after whom the clan is named. The clan chief (''ceannard ci ...

from the early part of the last millennium. The supporter is the

nonprofit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...

The Clanranald Trust for Scotland, whose chairman is Charlie Allan. Duncarron is located in the Carron Valley on the eastern end of the Carron Valley Reservoir, near

Stirling Stirling (; ; ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city in Central Belt, central Scotland, northeast of Glasgow and north-west of Edinburgh. The market town#Scotland, market town, surrounded by rich farmland, grew up connecting the roya ...

. The medieval village is being built with the help of volunteers from all walks of life, and is intended to preserve and disseminate

Scottish culture The culture of Scotland includes Scots law, its distinct legal system, financial institutions, sports in Scotland, sports, literature of Scotland, literature, art of Scotland, art, music of Scotland, music, media of Scotland, media, cuisine of ...

and heritage through education, active participation and entertainment.

History

In 1995 the decision was made to recreate an original medieval village in order to illustrate the life and

culture Culture ( ) is a concept that encompasses the social behavior, institutions, and Social norm, norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, Social norm, customs, capabilities, Attitude (psychology), attitudes ...

of Scotland at that time. The Trust being established, the proceeds and donations raised by various activities, Combat International, Scottish Federation of Medieval Martial Arts (SFMMA) contributed to this project. This has so far enabled over £1,900,000 to be made available for the construction of Duncarron. Planning for the project began in 1996. Experts, such as

archaeologist Archaeology or archeology is the study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of Artifact (archaeology), artifacts, architecture, biofact (archaeology), biofacts or ecofacts, ...

historian A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human species; as well as the ...

s and

architect An architect is a person who plans, designs, and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that h ...

s, were called in to help create an authentic appearance of the village. At the same time a suitable location was looked for and eventually found in the Carron Valley. Big support was given by film actor

Russell Crowe Russell Ira Crowe (born 7 April 1964) is an actor and film director. Russell Crowe filmography, His work on screen has earned him List of awards and nominations received by Russell Crowe, various accolades, including an Academy Award, two Gold ...

, a close friend of chairman Charlie Allan. He presented the village with a

battering ram A battering ram is a siege engine that originated in ancient times and was designed to break open the masonry walls of fortifications or splinter their wooden gates. In its simplest form, a battering ram is just a large, heavy log carried ...

from the film

Robin Hood Robin Hood is a legendary noble outlaw, heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore and subsequently featured in literature, theatre, and cinema. According to legend, he was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. In some versions o ...

in the value of £60,000. This

prop A prop, formally known as a (theatrical) property, is an object actors use on stage or screen during a performance or screen production. In practical terms, a prop is considered to be anything movable or portable on a stage or a set, distinct ...

, nicknamed Rosie, is exhibited in Duncarron since 2010. A grand opening was scheduled to take place on 18/19 May 2019.

Description

Construction work began in 2004. Previously, a visitor centre and facilities for the volunteers was built. In August 2011 the construction of the

Palisade A palisade, sometimes called a stakewall or a paling, is typically a row of closely placed, high vertical standing tree trunks or wooden or iron stakes used as a fence for enclosure or as a defensive wall. Palisades can form a stockade. Etymo ...

was completed. In September 2012 the construction of the

Longhouse A longhouse or long house is a type of long, proportionately narrow, single-room building for communal dwelling. It has been built in various parts of the world including Asia, Europe, and North America. Many were built from lumber, timber and ...

was completed. In planning are a Chief's house, a dwelling Roundhouse, another

Gatehouse A gatehouse is a type of fortified gateway, an entry control point building, enclosing or accompanying a gateway for a town, religious house, castle, manor house, or other fortification building of importance. Gatehouses are typically the most ...

, a

Forge A forge is a type of hearth used for heating metals, or the workplace (smithy) where such a hearth is located. The forge is used by the smith to heat a piece of metal to a temperature at which it becomes easier to shape by forging, or to the ...

and a medieval kitchen with a herb garden, as well as a

motte and bailey A motte-and-bailey castle is a European fortification with a wooden or stone keep situated on a raised area of ground called a motte, accompanied by a walled courtyard, or bailey, surrounded by a protective ditch and palisade. Relatively easy ...

which are typical of a clan chief's residence. As of 2020 work continues on two smaller houses, named 'Louden House' and Chiptin House' and a 10-metre lookout tower named 'Crowe Tower' after

. The operators offer events, tours, medieval banquets, and a location for film sets as well as for weddings and other ceremonies.

Photographs

File:Clanranald_Trust_for_Scotland_Duncarron-Model.jpg, Model of Duncarron File:Clanranald_Trust_for_Scotland_Duncarron-Luftbild1.jpg, Aerial photograph of Duncarron (status 2008) File:Clanranald_Trust_for_Scotland_Duncarron-Luftbild2.jpg, Aerial photograph of Duncarron with the Carron-Valley-Reservoir in background (status 2008) File:Clanranald_Trust_for_Scotland_Duncarron4.jpg, Palisades (status 2011) File:Clanranald_Trust_for_Scotland_Duncarron5.jpg, Palisade of the Clan-Chiefs area (status 2011) File:Clanranald_Trust_for_Scotland_Russell_Crowe5.jpg,

as a guest by Charlie Allan in Duncarron (2011)

References

External links

Duncarron website

The Clanranald Trust for Scotland website
{{North Lanarkshire places of interest History of North Lanarkshire Tourist attractions in North Lanarkshire Archaeological museums in Scotland Museums established in 2019 2019 establishments in Scotland

History

Description

Photographs

See also

References

External links