Dunblane, Stirlingshire, Scotland, A Drive Through.

Dunblane, Stirlingshire, Scotland, A Drive Through.

Dunblane, Stirlingshire, Scotland. It is located about 6.5 miles north of Stirling itself and has easy commuter links to both Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The town is built on the banks of the Allan Water, which flows into the nearby River Forth.

The area area around Dunblane was once occupied by the Roman army who left behind the remains of camps, a signal station, and a small fort, which is a clue to the town's historical significance.

Outside Dunblane Railway Station is a Memorial stone dedicated to Second Lieutenant James Huffam who, while just 21 years of age, in WW1, with three other men, rushed an enemy machine-gun post and put it out of action. His position was then heavily attacked and he withdrew, carrying back a wounded comrade. That same night, again accompanied by just two other men, rushed an enemy machine-gun post, capturing eight prisoners and thereby enabling the British advance to continue. For such courageous action he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Many other notable people have been born in Dunblane. The most prominent of which more recently is the tennis player Andy Murray. A gold painted Royal Mail post box can be found in Dunblane's High Street that commemorates his Olympic Gold Medal wins in London 2012 and Rio in 2016.

One of the most prominent landmarks is Dunblane Cathedral. Built in the 9th century, it has undergone various restorations and changes over the centuries. It is one of Scotland's few surviving medieval churches.

It is known for its impressive architecture and historical significance. It has survived periods of neglect and renewal but is still an active place of worship today.

The Dunblane Museum, across the street, houses a collection of artefacts, paintings, prints, and photographs related to the Cathedral and the town. The museum also has one of the largest collections of Communion tokens.

The name "Dunblane" is derived from the Gaelic language. It is believed to mean "fort of Blane," commemorating Saint Blane an early Christian saint who lived in the late 6th and early 7th centuries. His main seat was originally Kingarth on the Isle of Bute. It is thought that he or his followers may have founded a church at Dunblane.


One tragic event that a significant impact on Dunblane's history was the 1996 shooting at a local primary school, which single-handedly led to changes in firearm legislation in the UK.

The Dunblane school massacre occurred on March 13, 1996, when a gunman, Thomas Hamilton, entered Dunblane Primary School in Scotland and shot to death 16 young children and their teacher before turning the gun on himself. The entire attack took place in less than five minutes, resulting in the deaths of 17 individuals, including the perpetrator, and the injury of 15 others.

The incident led to a significant push for stricter gun laws in the United Kingdom.

In response to the massacre, the Snowdrop Campaign was initiated by residents of Dunblane to seek changes in British gun laws. This grassroots movement resulted in the banning of private ownership of most handguns and semi-automatic weapons, as well as mandatory registration for shotgun owners.

The Dunblane Centre, built with donations from around the world after the shooting, serves as a site of celebration and remembrance for the victims (Not featured in this video).

@explorescotland

Music

Two as One, David Celeste, Epidemic Sound; The Quiet Hours, Trevor Kowalski, Epidemic Sound; Sing For Me, Howard Harper-Barnes, Epidemic Sound; Touching Moment, Wayne Jones, YouTube Audio Library.

The town's population has grown steadily over the years, particularly since the 1960s, making it a sought-after commuter town.

Sources/Links

History of Dunblane https://www.dunblane.info/about-dunbl...
History https://www.historicenvironment.scot/...
Dunblane Cathedral https://www.historicenvironment.scot/...
Dunblane - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunblane
Dunblane Cathedral - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunblan...
About Dunblane https://www.dunblane.info/about-dunbl...
Local Attractions https://www.dunblane.info/things-to-d...
Dunblane, Perthshire, Scotland Genealogy https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/...
THE 5 BEST Free Things to Do in Dunblane (Updated 2024) https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attract...
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/James...
Dunblane massacre - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunblan...
How the 1996 Dunblane Massacre Pushed the U.K. to Enact Stricter Gun Laws https://www.smithsonianmag.com/histor...
Dunblane school massacre | Facts & History