Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe is to have a landmark named after him in the Carron Valley hills.
Clanranald Trust is naming a tower being built at their Duncarron Medieval Village after the Oscar-winning actor, who visited the site seven years ago this month.
Trust founder and chief executive Charlie Allan first met Russell on the set of the movie ‘Gladiator’ and struck up a friendship.
The A-lister spent hours at the Duncarron Medieval Village in Carron Valley when he visited in 2011, giving invaluable publicity to the project, which relies on fundraising, donations and volunteers.
At that time the New Zealand-born actor, who lives in Australia, told the Observer: “I’m really impressed with the scale of it. I had heard the stories over time about the effort which has gone into it and the many hours spent working on it, but to stand here today is pretty impressive. This project creates employment and could be a catalyst for educating generations of kids.
“Just imagine them coming and walking through living history and seeing big hairy men standing up here on the hill!”
Charlie said this week: “Russell was intrigued by our Duncarron project and came over to see it for himself - and gave us some amazing international coverage.
“I worked with him again on the movie Robin Hood and he donated the huge battering ram prop from the movie to us. The ram, now named Rosie, is still at Duncarron.
“We are in the process of building a watchtower - which will be named Crowe’s Tower because you’ll be able to see Rosie from every level of it.”
Rosie can also be seen by visitors to the site’s annual open weekend, Spirit of Duncarron, on June 16-17 from noon to 6pm each day.
Clanranald’s musicians Saor Patrol will bring the medieval world to life helped by volunteers from the Clanranald Trust. They will be joined on stage by John Taylor and Zoee (Zoee will only appear on June 17).
Other activities include: medieval weapons and how to use them, blacksmith demonstrations, a kitchen (what did they eat in medieval Scotland?), arts and crafts, brass rubbing, storytelling, archery and tug o’war.
As there will be loud music at the event, the trust is advising anyone bringing young children to the event to bring along ear defenders/ear plugs for them – particularly babies. All children are welcome.
Tickets are £10 for those aged 16 years and over, £5 for 5-15 years, and under fives are free. They can be booked online, or bought ‘at the gate’(no card payments). Visit www.duncarron.com/dun/spirit-of-duncarron-2018.
The Clanranald Trust for Scotland is a registered charity dedicated to promoting awareness of Scottish culture and heritage through interactive education and entertainment.
