Speaker David Kinnaird of Ghost Walks, Stirling
Fri, Apr 11th 2014 at 12:00 am -
Group Photo with David Kinnaird
Members of the Rotary Club of Stirling were entertained by speaker David Kinnaird, doyen of the wonderful "Stirling Ghost Walk" for the
last 25 years. David was destined for university academia until the pull of a life of acting waylaid him.
He told a tale in the guise of the character he mostly inhabits, namely one Jock Rankin, Stirling's 18th century 'Happy Hangman'. The story was of one Alexander Lyon, known as "Blind Alex". As a child this unfortunate was ill- treated by a father resentful of his child's infirmity and was cruelly victimised by his fellow schoolchildren.
Perhaps to compensate for this he developed a fondness for the "Word of God" and is said to have learned every word of the Bible and of the Book of Common Prayer. He became a lay preacher, vehemently declaring himself against drink and debauchery. Unsuspected by his worthy patrons and supporters however, he was a frequent visitor to the local alehouse and was said to have given, on demand, recitations of bible passages in exchange for the price of a "wee gin". This did not stop him regaling the inhabitants for their evil ways and he was frequently thrown out by the landlord.
He died an anonymous death in his own "wee howf" but seen later by the good citizens of Stirling, his faithful bible still clutched to his chest, on Lady's Hill by the Auld Kirkyard in the company of, and doing battle with the Devil in form of a fearsome beast. Blind Alex was taking somewhat of a pounding when up stepped one of the spectators crying "the Word, the Word!" With that Blind Alex raised his Bible and drove it into the chest of Satan and with a clap of thunder neither was ever seen again. Doubters searched the area the next day and to their surprise came across one of the Beast's huge claws. The word on the street was that Blind Alex had saved Stirling from the very Devil himself.
David's audience was captivated throughout and the vote of thanks by Senior Vice President David Paterson was met with very enthusiastic applause and the resolution to pay a visit to "Stirling Ghost Walk" as a club.
Next week's meeting is the Club A.G.M. and the visitors' host is Bill Bryce.
Crawford Gordon
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