Duncarron facts for kids
Duncarron is a cool, modern version of a fortified village from the early Middle Ages in Scotland. Think of it as a recreated home for a Scottish Clan Chief from about a thousand years ago! It's supported by a group called The Clanranald Trust for Scotland, led by Charlie Allan. You can find Duncarron in the Carron Valley, near Stirling, right by the Carron Valley Reservoir. Lots of volunteers are helping to build this medieval village. Their goal is to keep Scottish culture and history alive through learning, hands-on activities, and fun events.
Contents
The Story of Duncarron
How Duncarron Started
In 1995, people decided it would be awesome to build a real medieval village. This would show everyone what life and culture were like in Scotland long ago. So, The Clanranald Trust for Scotland was created.
Funding the Project
Money for Duncarron comes from different activities and donations. Groups like Saor Patrol, Combat International, and the Scottish Federation of Medieval Martial Arts (SFMMA) help raise funds. So far, over £1,900,000 has been used to build Duncarron!
Planning and Location
Planning for the village began in 1996. Experts like archaeologists, historians, and architects were called in. They made sure the village would look just like it did in medieval times. They also searched for the perfect spot and found it in the Carron Valley.
Famous Supporters
A big supporter of Duncarron is the famous actor Russell Crowe. He is a close friend of Charlie Allan, the head of the Trust. Russell Crowe even donated a huge Battering ram from his movie Robin Hood. This battering ram, named Rosie, is worth £60,000 and is now one of the cool things you can see at Duncarron.
What Duncarron Looks Like
Building the Village
Construction on Duncarron started in 2004. First, they built a visitor center and places for the volunteers to stay. In August 2011, the strong wooden fence, called a Palisade, was finished. A year later, in September 2012, the main building, known as the Longhouse, was completed.
Future Plans
There are many exciting plans for Duncarron! They want to build a Chief's house, a round dwelling called a Roundhouse, another Gatehouse, a Blacksmith's workshop, and a medieval kitchen with a special herb garden.
Recent Additions
As of 2020, work is still going on. Two smaller houses, named 'Louden House' and 'Chiptin House', are being built. Also, a tall 10-meter lookout tower is under construction. This tower is named 'Crowe Tower' after Russell Crowe, who has been a great help to the project.
Images for kids
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Model of Duncarron
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Aerial photograph of Duncarron (status 2008)
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Aerial photograph of Duncarron with the Carron-Valley-Reservoir in background (status 2008)
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Palisades (status 2011)
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Palisade of the Clan-Chiefs area (status 2011)
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Russell Crowe as a guest by Charlie Allan in Duncarron (2011)
