Dr Murray Cook is originally from Leith, whose motto is Persevere, something he takes to heart. Murray is Stirling Council's Archaeologist. He graduated twice from Edinburgh University and is the author of over 50 articles and books combining both academic topics and popular accounts of Stirling's history. He regularly runs free excavations and walks across Stirling and believes in public engagement and that the past belongs to the people and they have a right to know about it. To join him just ask cookm@stirling.gov.uk

Murray says 'Stirling Bridge is the most important location in Scottish History, it is the cradle and anvil of our identity. From the Romans to the Jacobites everyone who has invaded or resisted invasion had to do it at Stirling and at no other spot in Scotland has so much blood and treasure been spent to control such a tiny location. It is a place of pilgrimage, commemoration and memorial and the work of the Trust is essential to improving understanding and access to this Nationally Significant Monument Complex.'