Singers specialising in renaissance and medieval music are set to entertain visitors at Kinneil House in Bo’ness.
The Gargoyles of Gargunnock group will appear at the next free open day at the mansion on Saturday, August 29.
Visitors will be able to enjoy their songs in addition to marvelling at the building, which boasts some of the best renaissance wall paintings in Scotland. Kinneil House dates back to the 15th century and was once home to the Dukes of Hamilton. The open day will run from noon to 3 p.m.
Helen Rowell from the three-piece group – which appears in period costume- said: "We’re delighted to be appearing at Kinneil on August 29.
"We formed in 2004 as an amateur acapella folk group. We became medieval singers by accident when we agreed to perform at the Border Reivers Festival in Hawick five years ago and then discovered it was a period dress event! Since then we have sung to thousands of people at many festivals and events throughout Scotland."
Helen – with her fellow group members Zoe Fouracer and Elizabeth Wilkinson – says the Gargoyles are "wandering minstrels". They are based in the picturesque village of Gargunnock, around four miles from Stirling.
"We sing songs from 13th to 17th centuries – about love and war, drinking and lust, religion and nature," said Helen. "We have sung in venues from palaces to battlefields, from old folks homes to community centres, from pubs to chapels and from kirks to beer tents.
"We research and make our own outfits and have a range from the early through late medieval and renaissance periods."
Maria Ford, from the Friends of Kinneil – which helps to run the free open days at Kinneil – said: "We’re really looking forward to the Gargoyles’ debut appearance at Kinneil House. We’ve been trying to secure the group for a number of years. We’re pleased that they’ve managed to find time in their busy schedule to come along to the House and entertain visitors.
"The building will be open from noon to 3 p.m. on August 29, with the last admission at 2.30 p.m. Come along and marvel at this wonderful building – and enjoy some wonderful music from the Gargoyles of Gargunnock. Admission to the House, and to hear the Gargoyles, will be free of charge."
To find out more about Kinneil House open days, please visit www.kinneil.org.uk
You can also get updates via social media at www.twitter.com/kinneil and www.facebook.com/kinneil
To find out more about the Gargoyles of Gargunnock, visit: www.spanglefish.com/thegargoyles/
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Kinneil House and Estate are on the western edge of Bo’ness in central Scotland, just off the A904 and A993 and is part of the Frontiers of The Roman Empire World Heritage Site. The John Muir Way also runs through the site. For satellite navigation devices, use the postcode EH51 0PR. Images of Kinneil House and Estate are available on request. Email: publicity@kinneil.org.uk
Kinneil 