Historic Glasgow village launches digital heritage trail

Carmunnock Heritage Trail launches this Easter weekend. It's a unique, free, multi-media tour with 16 QR coded video stops around Glasgow's last remaining village.

Article Source: Carmunnock Heritage Society
Last Updated: 27 March 2024 11:31

It’s the most historic part of Glasgow that you’ve probably never visited. Carmunnock is Glasgow’s last remaining village within the City boundary and now it’s launching a unique multi-media heritage trail encouraging visitors to explore the village and its history.

The Carmunnock Heritage Trail launches on Friday 29th March in time for the Easter holidays. Visitors to the village can pick up a map at the local shops and take the free, self-guided tour around 16 stops. At each stop, visitors can scan a QR code that links to a broadcast quality video about the site that they can view on their phone or tablet screen.

The 16 videos tell the story of Carmunnock from its ancient roots as a settlement of followers of St Cadoc to the current conservation village with its own Highland Games and Gala day – It’s even been visited by Paul McCartney who stopped by for a cup of tea!

Carmunnock Heritage Trail

Anne Simpson of the Carmunnock Heritage Society said: “I think a lot of people will be surprised what they find when they visit the village. Whether it’s the fact the Kirk is the oldest local parish church in Glasgow, streets of cottages that date back to the 1600s or that the World’s Strongest Man competition started life in a garage in the village, Carmunnock is a special, unique and varied place. Locals have always known this but now we’re inviting everyone to take a tour around and find out more about the buildings and social history that have made the village what it is today. The project has been mammoth. It’s taken almost 2 years of research, scripting, filming, interviewing and editing to complete and involved many of the stories of villagers – even the village drama society who re-enacted period scenes. We’re delighted with the outcome and hope visitors are as well”.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS ONLY AVAILABLE ON THE TRAIL
The exclusive videos are only available by visiting the village and scanning the QR code. Anne Simpson added: “We hope that the Carmunnock Heritage Trail will not only encourage people to visit the village but also raise awareness of the incredible buildings and heritage on our doorstep. We hope the trail will get people walking, exploring and become more aware of the importance of the environment in and around one of Scotland’s most historic villages. It’s like a trip to the countryside but you’re still in Glasgow”.

VILLAGE FILM PREMIERE
The trail officially launches on Friday 29th March but there was a special Premiere for villagers on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th March that received rave review. Anne said: “We sold out two nights in the village hall and had people from far and wide attending – Including Councillors. We were blown away by the reception and there was a massive cheer at the end”.

The Heritage Trail was commissioned by the Carmunnock Heritage Society with funding contributions from the Glasgow City Heritage Trust, Castlemilk & Carmunnock Community Windpark Trust, the Glasgow City Council Linn Ward Fund and Solid Media.