Drummond Pleasure Ground

Covenant Monument, Drummond Pleasure Ground
©2022 Gazetteer for Scotland

Covenant Monument, Drummond Pleasure Ground

A small park located between the esplanade of Stirling Castle and Valley Cemetery, Drummond Pleasure Ground was established 1862-63 by nurseryman and evangelist William Drummond (1793 - 1888). He purchased the ground and presented it to the people of Stirling.

The centrepiece of the garden is the Star Pyramid, located next to an ornamental pool known as Pithy Mary Pond. This square pyramid, also known as the Covenant Monument or, occasionally, Salem Rock, was crafted in fine sandstone ashlar by William Barclay in 1863. It is dedicated to those who were martyred to uphold civil and religious freedom in Scotland and reflects Drummond's strong Presbyterian faith. White marble Bibles are mounted on the base of each face of the pyramid, along with names of texts published by the Drummond Tract Enterprise, the foremost 19th century publisher of religious pamphlets. Copies of a Bible and the Confession of Faith were sealed into a chamber within the pyramid as it was nearing completion in April 1863.

Drummond is buried beneath a grey granite sarcophagus within his pleasure ground, which was included in a £1.7 million restoration of Stirling's Old Town Cemeteries in 2008-09.


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