Airth

The village has long association with the River Forth and it was on the banks of the river that a royal dockyard was created. In September 1506 Andrew Aytoun was paid for "casting of the dock in the Poll of Erth" for the ship. The dock was used during the years 1507–1513 in the reign of James IV to build ships of war at the pool of Airth. In 1511 and 1512 Robert Calendar made three docks, a stable for 50 horses, and a larger dock for the Margaret. Calendar's men also worked on the Lark and the James. A form of dry dock may have been used. Strong timbers would be used to form the “stocks” for the vessel and a clay dam would prevent the river from penetrating the working area. When the ship…