A RECORD number of residents turned out to what may have been the most important March of the Gillies since the Save Gillies Hill group was formed seven years ago.

Over 500 people ranging in age from a mum carrying a recently-born baby, to those aged over 90 years old, marched on determined to show their support for the preservation of Gillies Hill on Sunday June 23.

The Save Gillies Hill group say the hill has never been more threatened since the lease has been taken up by a new quarrier and blasting could begin almost immediately, unless, they say, Stirling Council responds to public opinion.

Peter Paterson of the group said: "Over 40,000 people visited it last year and it's going to look very foolish if we next year celebrate the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn while Gillies Hill is being quarried away." The main speaker on the day was Dr Elspeth King, of the Stirling Smith, a noted and award-winning Scottish historian, who gave a fascinating and very thought-provoking speech about the importance of Gillies Hill in Scottish history, about the intervention in the battle at a critical point, of the ghillies or sma' folk.

And she emphasised the importance of the oral tradition in history, speaking about earlier celebrations of the Battle, by local people, going back 300 years. Someone had recorded these events in print, but the details of the battle had been passed down orally from one generation to another since 1314, especially in his area.

One of the speakers, Bruce Crawford MSP, spoke about the beauty and history of Gillies Hill, and of the increased concern by Stirling people for its preservation.

Bruce said: "I was delighted to attend the 2013 March of the Gillies, and support the campaign to prevent the reactivation of quarrying on the historic Gillies Hill.

"The huge turnout was proof once again that the community of Cambusbarron, and people across the Stirling area and beyond, are steadfastly against the reactivation of quarrying and the destruction of Gillies Hill. Those who turned out to show their opposition to further quarrying deserve great credit.

"Following discussion with the Scottish Government's Environment Minister, I have secured a commitment that senior Scottish Government planning officials will meet over the summer with me and representatives of Cambusbarron Community Council to discuss the legal processes of how an Environmental Impact Assessment might be undertaken to enable environmental justice for people living in the Cambusbarron area." On Monday Conservative Councillor for Stirling West, Neil Benny, extended his welcomed the council's new incentive on the campaign to save Gillies Hill.

This followed a motion at council, unanimously approved by all parties the previous week, to examine new options in the fight to ensure that environmental concerns are met on any future quarrying on Gillies Hill.

Councillor Benny said: "It's great that the council is redoubling it's efforts on this very important issue. Generations of Stirling people, my own family included, have used the hill, walked there and enjoyed the setting.

"It is essential that we preserve it for future generations. I am particularly glad the option of community ownership is going to be looked at, I have been calling on this for some time and look forward to the day when the area is preserved as a country park."