Why is there a beautiful replica of one of the Stirling Heads on the ceiling of a house in Gargunnock?.

Our recent public talk about the heads attracted a lot of interest, not least from Niall McClure who contacted us later to ask if we could shed any light on why his home contains a lovely plaster copy of one of the 16th -century originals.

The picture he sent showed a splendid replica of what has come to be called the Musical Head, after an unusual sequence of markings round the edge were identified as possibly being Scotland’s earliest ‘written’ instrumental musical notation. The answer is – we’re not sure and would love to hear if readers have any suggestions.

However, there are some clues which point to a very interesting possibility. The house was built in 1830 by Charles Alexander Graham who took the surname Moir when he succeeded to Leckie in 1820. It turns out that the Moirs of Leckie had close links with the lieutenant governor of Stirling Castle, General Samuel Graham, and his wife Jane.

Indeed, their daughter Helen Graham, wrote in her diary entry for October 1823, that “Mr Moir is an uncommonly pleasant man in company and tells amusing stories”. This is interesting because Samuel and Jane Graham were deeply interested in the heads – which had once decorated ceilings in the castle’s royal palace. The Grahams had three of them at the castle and used to delight in showing them to visitors.

Jane also travelled far and wide to sketch the other survivors, superbly carved with the faces of monarchs, nobles, court characters and Classical heroes. These were published by William Blackwood of Edinburgh in a book called the Lacunar Strevelinense in 1817. This states that the Musical Head was at that point in the hands of the magistrates of Stirling.

So it seems at least possible that what the McClures have is an original feature, created by the Moirs of Leckie, inspired by their friends at the castle, to give their new home a sense of royal grandeur.

If you have any suggestions please give us your comments below!

Many colleagues may disagree but I believe I have the best job in Historic Scotland. As Marketing Executive for Stirling Castle I not only get office space in one of the nation’s most beautiful and historic sites, but every day I get to meet fabulous people from all walks of life and work on interesting and rewarding projects.

There is no such thing as a typical day, week or month. Today I might oversee a photographic shoot, tomorrow I could be working on website content or meeting a local business partner.  My remit is expansive and variety is a big part of my role and, indeed, what attracted me to a marketing career in the first place.

Film shoots at the castle are always interesting but they are ultimately very good fun.  This year we made our own TV ad here with Hamish Clark and also hosted filming for the John Landis-directed Burke & Hare with Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis.  The castle was completely transformed into a 19th-century market place. The smells and sounds, like a roaring fire or horses hoofs clattering over cobbles, transport you to a different era and suddenly it’s not so hard to imagine what like was like for people here hundreds of years ago. It’s a unique experience. But as the adage says working with children and animals is never easy!

Since joining the team just over a year ago I have met more celebrities than grace the pages of OK magazine, won several awards and had access to some incredible places in our estate. However, the most rewarding aspect of the job is being part of an amazing team, working together to provide each and every visitor with a world-class experience and unforgettable memories to take home, whether they’re just down the road or from some far-flung corner of the world.

I might be exhausted by the end of the day but I never tire of my job or the sight of Stirling Castle as I approach the esplanade every morning wondering what adventures await me today.

By Nicola McCrae, Stirling Castle Marketing Executive.

Over the centuries many people have been inspired to write descriptions of Stirling Castle. Among them was Helen Graham, daughter of General Samuel Graham, the lieutenant governor in the early 19th century. For many years the castle was her home. These are two passages from her diaries and quotes from other visitors:

“… when we came in sight of the vale of Stirling, its amphitheatre of mountains and tall castle towering in the middle of that vale, the evening lights played beautifully on its ancient walls, we all with one consent agreed that go where we might a more beautiful scene we could not behold.”
Helen Graham, Monday, April 11th, 1825.

“A complete November fog today. And one might have fancied this a house on a rock in the middle of the sea or an island in the Pacific Ocean, such a mist was on the vale beneath us and nothing was to be seen from the windows, but a dripping jackdaw now and then, or the tops of some bushes in the garden.”
Helen Graham, Tuesday, November 2nd, 1824.

“… the castle is built on a rocke very lofty, and much beyond Edenborough castle in state and magnificence, and not much inferiour to it in strength, the roomes of it are lofty, with carved workes on the seelings, the doors of each roome being so high, that a man may ride upright on horseback into any chamber or lodging.”
John Taylor, 1618. Quoted in The Mental Feast of Pure Delight, by Robert Ritchie.


“brilliant clear day – valley of the forth. mist rising from it. Smoke from cottages … sun here & then lost – then gleaming again – Castle high above me on crags – crows and choughs wheeling round it – cool morning breeze – smoke wreathing up from thatchd cottages – cocks crowing – twittering of birds – reapers in distant fields mostly women – Old men take their morning walk around the castle rock.”
Washington Irving, 1817. Quoted in The Mental Feast of Pure Delight, by Robert Ritchie.

If you have read any good descriptions of the castle let us know – or if you want to write one of your own we’d love to see it. Email Nicola.McCrae@Scotland.gsi.gov.uk.

The Mental Feast of Pure Delight, by Robert Ritchie, is a booklet containing a variety of historical quotations about Stirling and its castle which is available from libraries throughout the district and costs £3.50. Orders from further afield should be directed to Carol-Ann Cattigan on 01786 432385 or at cattiganca@stirling.gov.uk.