Restoration work began this week at Stirling's Old Town Cemeteries, which is expected to be complete by July 2009.

The £1.7m contract has been awarded to restore a unique piece of Scottish landscape dating back to the 16th Century.

This includes plans to restore the physical infrastructure of the cemetery to bring it back to the original gardenesque style of the Victorian landscaped plan, restoration of stone work/ironwork and hard/soft landscaping. The project will link with other projects and developments currently happening in the Top of the Town.

Stirling Council's Portfolio holder for the Environment, Jim Thomson said: "I'm pleased that together with the Lottery Fund, Stirling Council can play its part in preserving our heritage for the enjoyment of future generations."

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The project will receive funding of £824,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, £430,226 from Stirling Council, up to £376,126 from Historic Scotland, and £18,183 for a specific piece of work to Pithy Mary Pond from Scottish Natural Heritage.

Commenting from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Grants Officer, Luke Fisher, said: "It is a project, which will not only offer visitors a unique record of Stirling's history, but will creatively involve the local community in the heritage on their doorstep."

Turner & Townsend, Construction and Management Consultants, have been appointed as Project Managers together with Fiona Robertson as Landscape Architect, while DCT Civil Engineering Limited and Land Engineering (Scotland) Limited have been awarded the contracts for the stonework/ironwork and soft/hard landscape respectively.

Barbara Irwin, Senior Project Manager commented: "Turner & Townsend is delighted as Project Managers, to be involved on a project that reflects Scotland’s rich and colourful history."

Stirling's Old Town Cemeteries lie in the shadow of Stirling Castle and in the 17th century, the area was the site of the town's major social gatherings. The Church of the Holy Rude stands at the entrance to the site, which includes the Historic Holy Rude Kirk Yard, the records for which date back to the 1600s.

(GK/JM)