 Rob Roy used to go through the square collecting black mail |
A community in Stirlingshire has bought its village green which was often frequented by Rob Roy MacGregor. Drymen Square was formerly a cattle market surrounded by hostelries and almost 300 years ago the famous rebel often passed through it.
Now locals in Drymen, in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, have secured the area for the village.
The Drymen Community Development Trust said the aim was to make the square an attractive place to socialise.
Tom Gilchrist, the trust's chairman, said: "By enhancing the square the increase in visitor numbers will be maintained.
"Whether we live or work here it will be a place we can respect with pride."
Stirling provost Colin O'Brien said: "I am delighted that the community have come together as one taking the initiative to restore this unique feature in the village centre."
Dr Mike Cantlay, convener Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, said: "This landmark project harnesses the key priorities of the National Park Plan.
"It brings together the aims of conservation and restoration of our historic past with the essential element of sustaining the economy of our local communities."
Rob Roy used to pass through the square when he used to go from his farm at Craigroyston on Ben Lomond to collect his black mail - which was rent in kind, often cattle, taken from tenant farmers who had fallen into arrears.
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It brings together the aims of conservation and restoration of our historic past with the essential element of sustaining the economy of our local communities
