It will be held on 30 August at 11am until 4pm in Plean Country Park.

The event will commemorate the Centenary of the First World War in which Plean Country Park played a part. The park was used to train soldiers in how to dig trenches, and the remains of these training trenches still exist. Stirling Council will be excavating a section of trench to bring them back to life. This project would not have been possible without the support the Heritage Lottery Fund’s (HLF) First World War Centenary Grant Programme.

The day activities will feature a First World War variety performance by Stirling on Stage; soldiers sports day which the public can join in with; and a re-enactor reading poems from the trenches. Other activities include The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Touring Exhibition, face painting, free food sampling from a trench recipe and war horses. Stirling Council's Archaeologists will be giving guided tours of the trenches as well as an opportunity for the public to try some excavation.

Provost Mike Robbins will formally open the event at 11am, after which the public may enter for free and enjoy the activities, food and events.

Members of the press, delegates from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Association, Stirling Council, and local VIPS have been invited, alongside the staff and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to create the day’s events.

Colin McLean, Head of HLF, Scotland, said “The First World War changed the face of modern history touching the lives of everyone in this country and beyond. HLF has committed to funding a variety of projects, from organisations large and small, that like this event at Plean will create a deeper understanding of the heritage of the conflict. We have already supported over £35million of projects from across the United Kingdom and will continue to support as many applications as we can afford that want to commemorate the centenary.”

Notes to editors

About Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Trust
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum is located in Stirling Castle, in the city of Stirling, Scotland. It is also a Registered Charity (no. SC042084) and accredited museum. The museum traces the history of the 91st Argyllshire Highlanders and the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders up to the time of their amalgamation in 1881 when they became the 1st and 2nd Battalions of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regiment.

Stirling Castle, Royal Palace of the Stuart Kings, has been the home of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s) since 1881 and through the years, many objects of regimental interest have been handed in, including: paintings, medals, silver, uniform and documents. However, it was not until 1988 that a museum was opened in the King’s Old Building of the Castle to display these objects; and, perhaps more importantly, to relate the illustrious history of the Regiment and the many personal stories of the officers, soldiers and their families.

The Museum receives modest Ministry of Defence funding, but is almost entirely maintained through public donations. The Museum is governed by a charitable trust: The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum Trust.

Further information

Zoë Pollok, Volunteer Co-ordinator at Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum, tel: 01786 475 165 or email: macrina-zoe@hotmail.co.uk.