It’s time for Planning Ahead our regular round-up of all the latest Stirling planning applications you should know about There are proposals dotted across Stirling history and skateboarding are all in for a treat The National Wallace Monument is to undergo repairs to ensure the “longevity and safety” of the 156-year-old landmark Steel rods will be be inserted to secure stonework in some areas and certain stones will be replaced where erosion has put the monument’s iconic crown-like spire in jeopardy Cracks will be mended and defective mortar beds repointed Stirling Council gave the go-ahead for the work last week with detailed conditions about preserving the character and appearance of the A-listed structure Three separate planning applications have been lodged with Stirling Council seeking permission in principle for the future erection of single houses in the Lecropt area of the town Each of the three self-build plots would be subject to their own individual planning permission three family homes could eventually be built – two at 340 sq m and one at 480 sq m Killin Sports and Recreation Hub has submitted proposals to construct a pump track at the village’s Breadalbane Recreation Park the facility would be free for the community and suitable for all experience levels of which £92,000 has already been raised through donations The plans will be considered by Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority Stirling Council has received a request to turn category B-listed 18th-century home Valley Lodge on Castle Wynd into six short-term let apartments The four-bedroom property, located a stone’s throw from Stirling Castle, went up for sale last May New plans propose converting the four-storey house into six one-bedroom flats the apartments would all have a double bed Last but not least, Dunblane looks set to get a new bakery and cafe on its High Street after initial approval was granted by Stirling Council the new food and drink spot plans to sell fresh There will be space for 15 to 20 people to dine with hopes of providing seating outside for the warmer months but customers will be encouraged to sit in make themselves at home and spend some time unwinding Wallace Monument stone repair Bridge of Allan self-build housing Killin pump track plans Valley Lodge holiday let proposal Dunblane bakery approved For more Stirling news and features visit our page or join us on Facebook Comments are currently disabled as they require cookies and it appears you've opted out of cookies on this site. To participate in the conversation, please adjust your cookie preferences in order to enable comments A variety of breeds descended on Stirling Mart for United Auctions’ multi-breed show today with Orkney’s Magnus Baillie tasked with judging the 50 bulls on offer a rising two-year-old bull from Richard and Carol Rettie this one is out of a Thrunton Florida daughter who runs pedigree Charolais and Angus herds at Biggins was impressed with the bull’s commercial attributes He said it was a close contest between his champion and reserve a 15-month-old bull from Michelle Hanson and Darren Irvine Vortex is an AI (artificial insemination) son of Wesley Equinox out of Silvermere Solitaire – a heifer by Allanfauld Neptune which was reserve junior champion at the Stars of the Future calf show She is one of eight females in the couple’s herd The Simmentals were next into the show ring It was an Islavale double triumph in the championship, with the Stronach family Finishing top of the line was Islavale Pegasus a 17-month-old by home-bred stock bull Islavale Lucifer which has so far bred sons up to 13,000gns Taking reserve for this 200-cow herd was the second prize winner to the champion The judge said his champion was an impressive commercial bull with the reserve animal showing “tremendous character” Heading up the Aberdeen-Angus classes was Tonley Victor Z053 a 21-month-old bull from the Wattie family’s 100-cow herd at Mains of Tonley He is a son of the privately bought Gretnahouse Krack Light which has previously sired daughters to £10,000 this bull is out of a Blelack Evermore daughter while his reserve was a “real stylish bull with good length and top” from Northern Ireland-based breeders Jonathan and Lisa Doyle this bull is the second son offered for sale off Saville Big Man a bull bought privately at the Royal Highland Show A small but select entry of Salers was dominated by bulls from Gill and Malcolm Pye’s Rednock herd Their Rednock Top Gun took the champion rosette a bull imported from France which has previously sired bulls to 11,000gns for the herd He has plenty character and looks like he’d breed good females.” Neil Girvan Kelso-based Neil Girvan judged this section and felt his champion had everything he would look for in a Salers “He has plenty character and looks like he’d breed good females,” added Neil plumped for Drumsleed Thor as overall champion from Gerald The family run 14 Beef Shorthorn cows and 80 pedigree Simmentals with Thor being an embryo calf by Meonside Javelin a cow bought at the Coldrochie dispersal several years ago for 8,000gns Reserve in that section went to Trade Mark of Upsall He’s by Nelson of Upsall and out of Nonpareil X928 of Upsall The first seven sons of Nelson of Upsall have sold to an average of £10,000 was the man in charge of selecting best in show her from what he described as a “very level a 19-month-old son of the prolific AI bull Plumtree Fantastic from the Irvine family’s 55-cow herd at Drummuir Securing a third overall championship at this May event for the herd is from Robert and Jean Graham’s Stirling-based herd It was the youngest Limousin bull in the catalogue Stirling Bull Sales continue today Comments are currently disabled as they require cookies and it appears you've opted out of cookies on this site. To participate in the conversation, please adjust your cookie preferences in order to enable comments Pubs from Fife and Stirlingshire were among the big winners at an industry awards ceremony The Scottish Entertainment and Hospitality Awards recognised the work of venues and companies across the country won the Best Independent Bar in the East title The Victoria Road establishment was also shortlisted for the Best Music Bar gong The Bawbee on Henderson Street in Bridge of Allan took home the Best Independent Bar in the Central Belt title In a Facebook post the bar said it was “thrilled and extremely proud” to win the award A spokesperson for the Golf Inn said: “Winning the title of Best Independent Bar in the East once again is more than just an accolade – it’s a symbol of dedication and the deep-rooted connection we share with our patrons and the local community “Taking home this prestigious award for another year reaffirms what our team has always believed – that our commitment to excellence and heartfelt hospitality is making a lasting impact.” Several other venues across the region were shortlisted The awards are decided by a combination of public nominations and voting along with visits by judges Director Warren Paul said: “It is a very tough time for everyone right now but it does seem the hospitality industry are really feeling the heat “People simply don’t have the money to go out as often as they did or they’re scared to spend the money they do have “That’s what our friends in hospitality provide.” Fife and Stirling over recent months to shoot a series of films Crews have descended on the region for a number of upcoming major productions Brian Cox and Alan Cumming are involved in the new releases Similar film and TV projects have brought millions of pounds to the area in the last year The Courier has taken a look at films recently shot in Tayside Fife and Stirling that are set to be released in the near future Hollywood star James McAvoy was in Dundee in November as the Hilltown offered a backdrop for his upcoming movie California Schemin’ The film tells the true story of two Dundee students who pretended to be American rappers to get a record deal went on to support Eminem and his group D12 before their hoax was uncovered Filming took place on Dudhope Street and Hilltown before moving inside the Hilltown Court multi – with actors seen hanging out a window Scenes were also filmed in the streets outside Tannadice Park, home of Dundee United Although it is still to be confirmed how the movie will be released, Bankside Films says it will be introducing the title to buyers at the Cannes Film Festival in May Film crews descended on St Andrews in October to shoot scenes for an upcoming adaptation of Jay Parini’s “novelised memoir” Borges and Me Crews were spotted on the town’s Hope Street shooting scenes using classic cars and on West Sands Beach where they filmed horses galloping along the sand follows Parini’s journey chauffeuring blind Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges through Scotland in 1970 Borges and Me also filmed on location in Gartmore in Stirlingshire A release date for the film has not been announced Filming for the upcoming Netflix adaptation of Frankenstein was rumoured to have taken place in Arbroath in September Production vans and staff were spotted in the grounds of Hospitalfield House The film is set to star two-time Oscar winner Christoph Waltz, who was spotted walking around Dundee city centre the same week Guillermo del Toro is directing the production while Dune and Star Wars actor Oscar Issac is taking on the role of Victor Frankenstein Saltburn star Jacob Elordi is playing his monster Frankenstein is set to be released on Netflix in November Brian Cox and Alan Cumming were in Gartmore in Stirlingshire in September as filming began for the Dundee actor’s directoral debut follows the story of two brothers – played by Cox and Cumming – who must reunite to save their family’s distillery The Dundonian and Perthshire actors also spent time in the nearby village of Kippen renowned for playing media mogul Logan Roy in Succession has been developing the film with Scottish writer David Ashton American model and actress Caprice Bourret filmed scenes for her new Christmas movie in Perthshire The former supermodel visited Aberfeldy and Pitlochry to shoot The Scottish Christmas Secret Film crews transformed The Watermill bookshop and cafe in Aberfeldy into a festive movie set while an estate house in Pitlochry was also used The movie stars Caprice as book publisher Tiffany who must travel to Scotland after the disappearance of reclusive author Nathan McAllister Perthshire jewellery designer Sophie McGown spoke to The Courier about her surprise role in the festive flick The film is expected to be released later this year A Stirling man made threats to murder a doctor because he was unhappy with changes to his methadone prescription David Buist made the chilling comments during an appointment with a different medic at the Stirling-based medical practice The 51-year-old later went on to make further threats against the medic to employees at NHS24 and an addiction service in the city Buist also faced sentencing for a charge of assaulting a shop worker at a premises on Murray Place by throwing a charity tin at his head and for acting in a threatening and abusive manner towards police officers All the offences took place in November and December 2024 said Buist had a “foul mouth” whilst under the influence Sheriff Mark O’Hanlon ordered him to carry out 267 hours of unpaid work and placed him on a supervision order for 18 months A motorist caught with three joints on his car dashboard during a police stop in Stirling was found to have a further £1,400 of the drug in ready-made bags Linkes Hysa was also driving with more than four-and-a-half times the legal limit of cannabis in his system A drug-dealer ditched £900 of tablets in the city centre before trying to convince police they were painkillers Ellie Bridges was spotted outside the Cancer Research shop on Murray place On becoming aware police were nearby she tried to dispose of her stash but CCTV operators helped police recover the bag in which they found almost 500 clonazolam tablets The 29-year-old claimed they were over-the-counter medication Sauchie admitted being concerned in the supply of drugs on August 15 2023 A former Dragon’s Den contestant from Stirling who donned a balaclava to smash his ex-partner’s car windscreen with a hammer was warned in court who appeared on television to persuade the BBC show’s team to invest in his tech business went to the woman’s house five years after their split A Stirling man has been banned from driving for a year for drunkenly retrieving his car after another person drove it without permission Edwin McLaughlin was almost four times the limit when he got behind the wheel said the 63-year-old had been drinking elsewhere and had not intended driving another person at the house took his car without his permission and he “foolishly” went to retrieve it McLaughlin, of Upper Bridge Street, admitted driving with excess alcohol (87 mics/ 22)  at Penman Court on January 6 For more local court content visit our page or join us on Facebook Construction is complete on the £11 million Walk The project has created two new active travel corridors of more than 6.5 km that connect communities businesses and higher education institutes across the city like never before The routes were officially opened on 24th April at a section next to Wallace High School funding partners and other key local stakeholders marking the occasion Cabinet Secretary for Transport and local school pupils celebrate the opening of the new routes With many people across Stirling already using the new routes on a regular basis locals are starting to reap the benefits of getting active for their everyday journeys One of the routes provides a direct connection to Wallace High School School pupil Nora said: "It definitely encouraged me to cycle more because it's just a safer route so it's a lot easier to go more places with the cycle paths." Walking, wheeling and cycling is good for our physical and mental health, as well as being a crucial part of our journey to a Net Zero nation. Evidence also shows that active travel benefits the economy including increased spending on the high street and in town centres The new routes connect residents and tourists to local Stirling businesses "It greatly helps accessibility for the city centre businesses and especially for the Business Improvement District "It cuts down on the volume of traffic and it's encouraging for the university students to have that link in with the city centre: to go there to spend their money use the cafes and coffee shops and all the Business Improvement District businesses "I think it also makes it so much more attractive when you see a healthy city centre and people using the cycle routes." Route one provides a safe and accessible link between Stirling Train Station and the University of Stirling.  The route travels north from the Train Station crossing the historic Old Stirling Bridge before heading up Causewayhead Road wheeling and cycling can take in the views of the iconic Wallace Monument on their way towards the University The new segregated infrastructure makes it easier for people to walk Route two has bridged the gap between Forth Valley College and Stirling’s historic city centre New traffic-calming measures and landscaping improvements have made this on-street section a welcoming and enjoyable place to walk the segregated path passes by the King's Knot and under the shadow of the impressive Stirling Castle.  The new routes celebrate the historic significance of Stirling Connecting communities and places across Stirling through safe and accessible routes Live Stirling offers real travel choice to locals and visitors alike Head of Programme for Places for Everyone at Sustrans wheeling and cycling safer and easier means everyone moving around Stirling has more choice for everyday journeys “Feeling confident enough to choose to walk Live Stirling has now made these choices a reality for more people in the city.”  wheel or cycle helps more people get active for their everyday journeys described the project as setting “a new standard for active travel infrastructure in a Scottish city” there are seamless routes for cycling and walking in the heart of Stirling linking communities and public transport hubs to businesses “The new infrastructure has already been used by people of all ages in our communities including by pupils and staff at Wallace High and it’s going to be a key part of how we support the growing shift to active travel as well as increasing footfall and economic activity for our businesses “I want to thank all our residents and businesses for their patience and understanding during the works and we are committed to engaging with them to unlock the full benefits of this major investment.”  The new routes have created safe and accessible links to school Live Stirling has been funded by the Scottish Government through Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme (£8.4 million) and via the City Region Deal (£2.5 million) and by Stirling Council from developer contributions (£325,000) The project is a cornerstone of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal This is a £214 million partnership between both Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils the University of Stirling and the UK and Scottish Governments The new routes also lay the foundations for planned future connections reaching out beyond Stirling to Clackmannanshire and the wider Forth Valley Region.  Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “To support the ambitions of Scotland’s local authorities for more high quality active travel infrastructure we are investing £188 million into active and sustainable transport in 2025-26 “This will help ensure more people and communities across Scotland can benefit from easier sustainable travel options the Scottish Government is investing £45 million through the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal “The Deal aims to create 5,000 jobs in Clackmannanshire and Stirling by boosting transport business growth and projects to tackle climate change.” Discover more Places for Everyone projects. Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling The active travel network designed with Stirling's young people in mind Breaking down barriers to cycling in Stirling Stirling Walking and Cycling Index Sign up now to hear more about our latest news Sustrans is committed to fundraising in a way which is legal, open, honest and respectful. Read our fundraising promise Sustrans is a registered charity in England and Wales (326550) and Scotland (SC039263) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England (1797726) at 2 Cathedral Square Service updates The Promise: Support for care experienced children and young people Scotland's promise to care experienced children and young people is that they will grow up loved Scotland must bring about the change demanded by the Independent Care Review by 2030 The Care Review began its work in 2017 and over the next three years they listened to people whose lives involved the care system whether that be through work or living situation young people andadults who had care experience In order to keep Stirling on track we published a ten year strategy for Keeping the Promise up to 2030 It incorporates work across a range of areas with input from staff across a range of agencies in Stirling This strategy highlights some of the challenges we face in achieving the Promise and ten long term outcomes we will achieve by 2030 This Strategy complements our three year plans which tie into the national Promise Plan the first of which was published for 2021-24 Our Promise Plan 2024-27 shows we achieved over 70% of the actions in our Plan 2021-24 and progress is already underway to achieve the ambitious programme set out in Plan 2024-27 The evaluation of Plan 2021-24 showcases the huge range of work that has been undertaken to keep the Promise in Stirling so far Below are some additional examples of key areas where we are working to #KeepthePromise for all of Stirling’s young people in conjunction with Stirling Champions Board led primary research into the impact of communication and language on their experiences of Social Work as care experienced young people The case study draws on the Independent Care Review and key aims of the Promise as well as some literature exploring the importance of using considered language in social work before making a number of recommendations which are in the process of being implemented It was featured as an area of crucial work by COSLA in January 2024. Stirling Council recognised those with care experience as a vulnerable group and resolved to consider them when making any decisions in relation to its policies or formulating plans in addition to those groups with protected characteristics highlighted in the Equality Act 2010 We are in the process of launching a new Integrated Assessment Process bringing together all of our statutory responsibilities including Equalities Human Rights (including the rights of all young people under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) as well as the environment Care Experience now features as a central part of this assessment process highlighting the specific consideration for children and young people with experience of care made by all services provided by Stirling Council It is hoped that this process will further embed the rights of care experienced young people in line with the ambitions of the Promise Please do not include any sensitive personal or financial information such as your National Insurance number or bank details © Copyright document.write(" " + new Date().getFullYear()) Stirling Council This 19-year-old distiller was celebrating recently after Stirling Distillery won best Scottish new make spirit at the World Whiskies Awards 2025. You can still get tickets to their Stirling Whisky Festival which takes place on 10 May here. and once we decided to start making whisky I love the history behind it and the fact that every bottle tells a story bringing whisky back to Stirling after more than 160 years How did you get into the distiller role you’re in now I actually gave up going to uni to help out with the family business and when the idea of whisky production came up Now I’m the guy firing up the still every day and I’m really enjoying seeing my work translate into award-winning liquid What is something surprising that people might not know about your role I think people imagine it’s all sipping whisky in a cosy office What characteristics are you looking for in the whiskies you make and how do they represent the region/distillery I want our whisky to feel like Stirling—strong roots Our new-make is already showing off loads of flavour—apple strudel caramel—and I think that richness will come through beautifully with time in the cask so technically my first whisky was Jack Daniel’s Honey He sat me down and poured me a Glenfarclas 10 which he called “a wee light breakfast whisky.” Definitely an upgrade It’s the first new-make spirit distilled in Stirling since 1852 and we even won Best Scottish New Make at the World Whiskies Awards 2025 full of character—and it’s just the beginning Are you working on any exciting new releases this year We’re still a few years away from our first whisky release I’m hoping to release a small run of new make to give people a sneak peek at what’s coming We might also experiment with a few different cask types to see how the spirit reacts—there’s a lot of excitement behind the scenes former Diageo master blender—he’s been a huge mentor to me calming influence who knows his stuff inside out And I’ve got a lot of respect for Zak Shenfield too—he helped us evolve into whisky production and he’s doing amazing things in the industry especially for someone still early in their career Don’t judge anyone for how they drink their whisky Ross Laird will compete at the prestigious Arnold Palmer Cup University of Stirling golfer Ross Laird will compete at this summer’s prestigious Arnold Palmer Cup in South Carolina The Ryder Cup-style annual competition for university and college golfers pits the United States against a rest of the world team Sports scholar Laird – in his second year studying Finance – is one of 12 golfers who will compete for Team International Men at the exclusive Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland he is the only member of the men's team who studies outside of the United States Laird said: “It is an honour to be selected to play in this prestigious event It will be a privilege to represent Team International at such a prolific golf course.” The 21-year-old has enjoyed a successful time at Stirling Laird was crowned the best male student golfer in the UK winning the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Order of Merit He was second in this year’s Order of Merit where he represented Scotland at the Men’s European Nations Championships he also finished tied fifth in last year’s Torneo Internacional Copa Juan Carlos Tailhade competition in Argentina said: “I am absolutely thrilled for Ross Laird on his well-deserved selection for the Arnold Palmer Cup dedication and performances have earned him this opportunity to represent Stirling at this year’s competition – and there’s not a bigger stage in the amateur game to showcase his talent than at this prestigious event “We all wish him the very best of luck.” The Arnold Palmer Cup was founded in 1997 and is a Ryder Cup-format tournament for top university golfers from across the globe pitting the United States against a team comprised of international players Often a milestone for up-and-coming golfers many who have competed in the event have gone on to play on the PGA Several golf scholars from Stirling have competed in the Cup This year's Arnold Palmer Cup takes place June 5-7 athletes have access to world-class facilities and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suites In addition to its coaching and facilities Stirling’s International Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK – offers athletes funding support It has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981 – with many competing on the world stage including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games while individual scholarships include modern pentathlon Read more about sports scholarships at the University of Stirling Mary’s Trophy race I did at the Revival in 2006 not because I did particularly well or badly in it it remains perhaps the most surreal moment in all the decades I’ve been pedalling old cars around race tracks Looking down the list of competitors against whom I’d be racing I spotted Derek Bell Rarely has imposter syndrome run quite such a riot through my head a pleasure that would have been denied him in period the car that effectively ended the career of the Cortina as a front-running European saloon car I let my mind drift into a fantasy land where the lighter weight and additional power of my Alfa offset exactly the talent behind the wheel of the Lotus and we spent the entire race fighting for position around the swooping curves and corners of the fabulous Goodwood Motor Circuit And then we were in the collection area and I’m parked next to the Moss Cortina because we’d qualified next to each other Stirling’s best time 0.6seconds quicker than mine There’s a tap at the door and Lady Susie Moss leans in to say “he’s sent me over to stick a banana up your exhaust pipe.” But although we lined up next to each other on the grid I got a ridiculously good start while Stirling was hemmed in and when I looked for him in the mirror And I thought no more about it for a couple of laps as I kept busy trying and failing to fend off all those faster cars with their faster drivers that I’d muscled by at the beginning But once they’d gone and I looked up again the mirror was full of white Lotus with a Herbert Johnson helmet and a very familiar face beneath it I’d always imagined myself chasing Moss learning from his lines and techniques so it never occurred that at the moment of engagement or should I step aside and watch a masterclass play out in front of me And it was only a peculiar sense that it would be somehow disrespectful to gift my place to Moss that I decided to tough it out pushing the little Alfa seconds a lap faster than it had gone in qualifying And I couldn’t maintain that pace much longer Had Anthony Reid’s Jaguar not been good enough to distribute its coolant all over Lavant But it did and the race was stopped with me still ahead of the now septuagenarian Boy Wonder But at the restart it was Moss who got away faster and me left trying to cling to his fast-moving shirt-tails Nothing was going to deny me this moment and by pushing the GTA harder than I thought it or I could go I will be personally very happy simply to make it to my 76th birthday but this 76-year-old was deliberately provoking tail slides in 100mph corners drifting the Cortina around the track as if he’d been driving it all his life; he’d never even sat in it before qualifying I saw the back step out in the middle of the Fordwater kink – one of the most terrifying curves of any track and the place that led to his near-fatal accident a couple of hundred yards down the track in 1962 completely happy and at home in an environment most of us would associate with considerable peril As I started blatantly to copy those techniques I could replicate – his surprisingly tight entry into Woodcote his generally early apexes and his inch-perfect braking points with the benefit of an inherently quicker car I wondered if I actually had the front to try and slide down the inside of Stirling Moss I though it would be an insult if I didn’t But as the laps counted down I couldn’t find a way he was driving as his reputation promised: no quarter given but scrupulously safe and fair slithering by on a few extra inches of tarmac he provided at the right-hand curve leading into St Mary’s where his Lotus 18/21 had buried itself in the bank some 45 years previously I thought he’d gifted the place to me (and a bit of me still does) but whatever the case As we cruised down the back straight on our way back to the pits grinning for Britain with a thumb hoist aloft He was still smiling when I went up to see him in parc fermé was bloody good fun.” It was more than I could ever have wanted to hear You do know there was a yellow flag at that corner You don’t think I’d have let you by that easily do you We’ll take it up there.” The tone is light-hearted to a fault but reveals the competitive fire that still burned within this extraordinary man we never again found ourselves sharing the same small patch of tarmac I’d gone to Goodwood and chased and been chased by Sir Stirling Moss Tickets for the Goodwood Revival are now available and don’t forget to take advantage of early bird pricing to save up to 10 per cent when you book before 1st May 2025 The must-have subscription for motorsport enthusiasts Stay in the know with our newsletters that contain all the latest motorsport news By clicking ‘sign up’ you are accepting the terms of Goodwood’s privacy notice. 5,800 bales have been recylced into the biomass energy centre to be used for energy generation castle guests can meet the majestic unicorns Princess and Pumpkin in the Queen Anne Gardens They can enjoy a range of unicorn-themed activities including a puppet show and getting tips for tracking unicorns in the wild author Lindsay Littleson will be reading from her children’s novel talking about the Scottish coat of arms and symbols of heraldry Visitors are invited to create their own heraldry or make mythical beast puppets to take home “Unicorn weekend at Stirling Castle has become a perennial favourite The event is jam-packed with activities celebrating our beloved national animal as well as live performances and interactive experiences there is a way for everyone to engage with Scotland’s rich heritage.” The event will run this Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 April from 11am to 5pm with all activities included in the admission price Please note there will be no parking at Stirling Castle this weekend Entry to Stirling Castle is free for Historic Scotland members Members can also collect one of seven History Hunt Cards a series of cards looking at the various types of sites A full set can be exchanged for a pin badge only available through the Hunt Facebook: @HistoricEnvScotland | @VisitHistoricScotlandInstagram: @HistEnvScot | @historicscotlandBlogLinkedIn Stacey ShawHistoric Environment Scotland Media Office07721 959 962communications@hes.scot Our app is your one-stop shop for information on Scotland’s iconic historic attractions Piotsa Pizza in Stirling city centre has announced its official opening date The highly anticipated King Street restaurant will start serving customers from May 15 Work to fit out the new restaurant has been underway in the former Strathcarron Hospice unit since September 2024 Pizza lovers Alex Sorlei and David Atkins have teamed up to open Piotsa As the pair get ready to welcome their first customers they say “the wait was worth it” Alex told The Courier: “It feels liberating that we can finally unleash our creativity and welcome everyone for amazing pizzas and experiences at Piotsa “We’re excited to finally open the doors and promise that the wait was worth it.” Alex previously ran Napizza on Friars Street whilst studying at Stirling University It closed in 2020 after four years in business as the pizza chef was suffering burn-out and feared a loss in quality David – his most loyal customer – thought about Napizza constantly while waiting in the line for a pizza restaurant in Naples he decided to message Alex via social media From there, they decided to go into business together and bring Alex’s beloved pizzas back to the city from Italian classics to some with a Scottish twist The menu has everything from a classic margherita to Dante’s Hell garlic pizza bread and olives are among the sides The restaurant will be able to seat 25 customers at a time and will also offer takeaways Pizza-making workshops and other events are also planned Piotsa’s opening hours will be 12pm to 3.30pm and 4.30pm to 9.45pm For more Stirling news and features visit our page or join us on Facebook A new family festival featuring a monster truck show and dozens of funfair rides has been announced for Stirling The Big Summer Spectacular will take place at City Park on June 28 and 29 Around 5,000 tickets for what is described as “Stirling’s biggest ever funfair” are up for grabs A monster truck stunt show from Big Pete Monster Trucks and a theatrical giant dinosaur performance are planned Festival goers can also snap a selfie with a Transformer watch birds of prey in action and visit market stalls classic games – including hook a duck and ring toss – will also feature Central FM will additionally be bringing a road show to the stage Organiser Chad Stirling of Adventure Events Ltd believes the festival will be successful The showman has travelled across the UK with fairgrounds and this will be the first event he has organised With regular trips to the Trossachs and passing the sign for Stirling he decided the location would be “aesthetic” with Stirling Castle in the background A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “Stirling has a proven track record of successfully hosting major events and big crowds “It’s great news that a new event is being planned this summer at Stirling City Park which is a superb venue for large-scale outdoor events.” The Big Summer Spectacular runs from 11am to 9pm on June 28 and 29 Tickets cost £13 and under twos go free Car parking can be booked for an additional £4.50 fee However, it was confirmed by The Courier in October that the event would not return in 2025 There’s no shortage of recognisable landmarks in Stirling but not many of them can be found in somebody’s front garden located close to the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre is covered with carvings and topped with an eagle The unique sculpture has become a local meeting point and is beloved by school children and adults alike that when the original totem pole was brought down by a storm in the winter of 2023-24 but the totem pole itself – which was around twice the height of the house it stood in front of – didn’t survive says she then discovered wasps had nested inside The 88-year-old was just as devastated as her neighbours about the loss I was really hurt that it had the cheek to come down.” But how did a wooden totem pole become a fixture of Whins of Milton in the first place Its surprising origin story involves a 40-year-old fir tree and TV historian Neil Oliver built their Whins of Milton home themselves over the course of a year in the early-1970s and the couple gave trees “to everybody in the locality” before construction started the tree had grown to around 20 feet and become a threat to the MacDiarmids’ home who was working on an archaeological dig on the Bannockburn battlefield site at the time passed by while the tree was being trimmed and asked what the plan was she replied: “I would very much like a totem pole” and the presenter felt it was a great idea She laughs: “I went back to William and Gordon and said: ‘See that historian over there He says I should have a totem pole.'” The tree’s branches were completely removed in 2013 and Rodney Holland from the Borders carved the totem pole’s many intricate decorations using a chainsaw “He could do a robin with this big saw He was an artist – a real artist,” remembers Isabell The original piece had more than 40 carvings all holding special meaning for Isabell and William Many of them were tributes to loved ones across the globe including a kangaroo for friends in Australia Though the second totem pole that stands in the MacDiarmids’ garden today doesn’t have nearly as many carvings The Route 66 road sign is a nod to son Gordon’s time spent in the US for work There’s a diving helmet for William’s apprentice Ronnie who tirelessly helped the couple to build their house when he was 18 before going on to work as a North Sea diver for 25 years Friends from Indiana are represented by a red cardinal asked for these to be included on the first totem pole in honour of the Healthy Hearts group he attended Isabell says Gordon described his mum and dad as “stuck like glue” She and William enjoyed hillwalking together Four years after his death, Isabell keeps herself busy with her garden and as a volunteer at Stirling Carers Centre she completed the Kiltwalk four-mile Wee Wander But it’s clear her late husband is never far from her mind “It was either blue overalls or orange overalls.” William’s legacy lives on in the house he lovingly built from the woodwork inside to the sandstone wall that encircles the garden in the totem pole on the front lawn – back by popular demand and strapped down tightly by Gordon in case of high winds The body of a 55-year-old man has been found near Stirling Old Bridge The bridge was taped off following the discovery at around 8.50am on Monday Police said the death was unexplained but not believed to be suspicious Old Stirling Bridge was initially sealed off but it reopened at around 10.30am A path on the Raploch side of the river remained shut while emergency services attended The Courier’s Isla Glen was at the scene She said: “Stirling Old Bridge and the path to the left were taped off by police “The path from Ochil Crescent down towards the river was blocked off going towards the bridge “Locals seemed concerned and unsure of what was going on.” There was also a big police presence at Laurencecroft Road A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 8.50am on Monday Stirling following the death of a 55-year-old man “His death is being treated as unexplained but there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances Vacant land in Bridge of Allan could be used for housing if newly submitted plans are approved seeking permission in principle for the erection of single houses in the Lecropt area of the town A request has been made to change the land’s use though the application highlights that it is not currently used for agricultural purposes each of the three plots would be subject to its own individual planning permission but an overall masterplan has been developed for the area submitted by Stuart MacGarvie on behalf of Keir & Cowder & WS Dunsire suggest three family homes could eventually be built – two at 340 sq m and one at 480 sq m The proposal states “there is a need for such self-build plots within Bridge of Allan which represent a form of affordable housing.” a cycle track and the town itself make the spot “quite exceptional in terms of spatial strategy and sustainability” The submission also points out that planning approval was previously granted for the building of new homes close to the same site not too long ago Stirling Council gave the green light for a house to be constructed in the Lecropt Hill area in December 2022 Elsewhere in Bridge of Allan, a derelict Victorian house on Henderson Street is due to be demolished to make way for two new villas Stirling MSP Evelyn Tweed played a critical role from the tropical Cayman Islands to halt a bid to remove Green politician Maggie Chapman from Holyrood’s equalities committee The vote was being held on Tuesday in response to Ms Chapman’s comments accusing the Supreme Court of “bigotry” in its judgment on the definition of a “biological woman” for the purposes of equality law SNP members of the committee voted with Ms Chapman to defeat the Conservative attempt to remove her by a single vote played a crucial role from the Cayman Islands She was in the British Overseas Territory acting as an international observer monitoring the island’s elections as part of a delegation of the UK’s Commonwealth Parliamentary Association The western Caribbean island is six hours behind the UK It meant Ms Tweed would have been voting at around 4am local time Appearing remotely, Ms Tweed had to be reminded by committee convener Karen Adam to turn her camera on so her vote could be registered Without her “no” vote the committee would have been split leaving the incoming Dundee University rector’s future position on the committee unclear said: “This astonishing revelation sums up how disconnected SNP MSPs in the Scottish Parliament are from the real world “Maggie Chapman’s skin was saved by a nationalist MSP getting up in the middle of the night while enjoying herself in the Caribbean “Disillusioned voters will find it appalling that a vote cast thousands of miles away is the reason this extremist Green MSP retains her privileges as deputy convener, despite her outrageous outburst against the Supreme Court “SNP bosses must also now clarify whether this vote was whipped after all given Evelyn Tweed was closer to Havana than Holyrood at the time.” a spokesperson for the MSP said she attend the committee remotely from a visit with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association First Minister John Swinney previously insisted his party would not tell its MSPs on the committee how to vote The vote in the parliament on Tuesday was the latest twist in the divisive row over the balance between the rights of transgender people and women The Green MSP spoke in her defence at the hearing insisting she had a right to challenge the ruling “I have never questioned the court’s right to make the ruling that it did living history performers will recreate the atmosphere of 1945 as they as they populate the castle allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the festivities and experience the excitement that gripped our nation on that historic day eighty years ago Stirling Castle’s magnificent Great Hall will be transformed into a 1940s dancehall on Saturday evening with a celebration concert and dance featuring the timeless music of Glen Miller performed by big band ‘That Swing Sensation.’ “Eighty years ago, Britain united in celebration when the Second World War ended in Europe. We’re giving visitors the chance to experience that momentous occasion with a full weekend of activities, events and performers bringing the atmosphere of VE Day to life. It’s a unique opportunity to step back in time to the forties within the iconic heritage site of Stirling Castle.” VE Day 80 will take place from 11.30am to 4.30pm on both days with entry to the event included in entrance to Stirling Castle The VE Day 80 Celebration Concert and Dance will take place on Saturday 3 May from 7.30pm to 9.30pm Facebook: @HistoricEnvScotland | @VisitHistoricScotlandInstagram: @HistEnvScot | @historicscotlandBlogLinkedIn Laura ElyHistoric Environment Scotland Media Office  Mobile: 0746 875 9137Email: laura.ely@hes.scot   It’s always a good sign when a restaurant is packed which recently opened in Stirling city centre Some might put it down to the excitement of a new opening but I’ve heard many locals vowing to go back after their first visit The Murray Place restaurant opened in March aiming to serve up tasty Vietnamese cuisine is passionate about cooking authentic dishes from his home country His friends and family were so impressed by his food they encouraged him to open up his own restaurant So, keen to see what the hype was about, my colleague Alex Watson and I headed along to Hoi An Quan We arrive at the restaurant just after 5pm on a Tuesday evening and get a table straight away despite not having a reservation It turns out we’re lucky – within an hour Hoi An Quan has been completely transformed since it was chicken and burger restaurant Smokeys. Everything from the lampshades to the wall decor is Vietnamese-themed and we can see into the bustling kitchen where our food is being prepared Vietnamese coffee is not something I’ve had before but a friend who has been to Vietnam highly recommended it Alex and I order two Diet Cokes to drink (£5.50 for both) This is the iced version of Vietnamese coffee The variation is recommended by our server but once the drink is mixed (with a satisfying stir) the sweet condensed milk balances out the bitterness I end up going on an accidental three-mile walk and I think the coffee buzz definitely has something to do with it Fresh Vietnamese spring rolls (gỏi cuốn) are where Alex and I begin our eating adventure cucumber and rice noodles wrapped in rice paper – is a bargain Each ball was perfectly crispy on the outside giving way to a gooey centre and umami flavour It wouldn’t be a trip to a Vietnamese restaurant without a steaming bowl of pho it takes more than 12 hours to make the traditional noodle soup I choose chicken and beef brisket (£12.95) with fragrant herbs enhancing the soft meat The only downside is how hard it is to eat I’m given the perfect spoon for the broth but trying to stop the noodles from sliding back into the bowl is near impossible Alex tucks into the char siu banh mi (£7.00) A crispy baguette-style bread roll is packed with Cantonese-style barbecued pork and perfectly complemented by the crispy vegetables and sharp pickle flavour We also share a special full sushi roll (£12.95) filled with tempura-battered king prawn The avocado and cucumber meant it was light and refreshing Hoi An Quan is a welcome addition to the Stirling food scene Not only is it great to have a Vietnamese on our doorstep but the food doesn’t cost an arm and a leg Every single dish arrived quickly and was absolutely superb clearly made by someone who cares about what they are cooking We did have to go up to the bar to ask for the bill the servers had a tricky job on their hands managing the entire restaurant Hoi An Quan deserves to be as popular as it has been for its first month in business Website: hoianquan.co.uk Comedian Iain Stirling on his enduring passion for stand-up suddenly being recognised and his love of Sunday Post favourite Oor Wullie I’d be doing it even if I wasn’t a professional and was doing it in rooms of pubs just before the big wave where it was seen as a shorthand way to get to television There’s also a working-class part of me which was always told me to get a trade Telly and all that is amazing and I’m so fortunate if you go to the Paisley Town Hall and you’re really funny for an hour and a half you can go back next year and people will come again Tank Commander but I’ve had that bashed out of me by London a little bit It’s why the council and everyone else need to make it accessible to working-class people and lower-income families I thought theatre was just posh English people in ruffles doing Shakespeare Then I went to the Fringe and saw people like me on stage I started gigging with Scottish acts like Mark Nelson I was 16 when I did a sketch show in a venue on the Royal Mile with my mate The sketches would be about a minute long and the blackout to get our props would be three minutes so we thought every character had to be in full gear It’s quite good doing voiceover because as long as I don’t say anything I’m normally all right I’m more likely to get recognised from going to school with someone’s brother of my professional life was the night Croatia beat England We filmed out in Spain and I used to go out every year before I had a family We were in this resort where there was just me and all these German tourists just annoying all the English Love Island staff I was seeing all these videos of Love Island screens in the corner of the pub while the football was on I genuinely felt like I was living in a simulation I’m in Spain drinking beers with these German pensioners dancing about because England are out and the show’s just become this cultural artefact I think it was the most downloaded show in America last year four or five years behind the Brits when it comes to trends My wife Laura (Whitmore) was working at New York Fashion Week so we got a little apartment there the only place more expensive than Edinburgh during the festival I’m getting to go to a bunch of places I might not normally go to Edinburgh and maybe Dundee or Aberdeen but not much else One of my good friends is from Grangemouth – it’s just really fun doing these places I get on a train there rather than them having to come to Glasgow or Edinburgh I could live in a bedsit in London sleeping on the roof of my wardrobe in a makeshift bed Now I don’t need the gig to go any particular way as a dad I’m aware of the logistical nightmare of going to things I feel a bigger obligation to give people a good night let’s all have a great time because you’ve booked babysitters.’ We were never going to do that sort couple thing it’s not really us and also it’s been done so well by so many other people In a relationship you just find that thing that you’re both willing to watch As much as I would have loved her to watch Hibs beat Celtic True crime’s become this happy middle ground There was never a plan for it to become a thing that we did we just gave it a go and people really liked it and we really enjoy doing it I’m sitting in front of an Oor Wullie artwork by Sleek It’s got loads of funny little tags that are really unique to me I grew up on Dennis the Menace and Oor Wullie I’m still obsessed with comics – I’ve never really grown out of it Iain Stirling brings Relevant to Paisley, Stirling and Grangemouth, April 3-5. Visit iaindoesjokes.com Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed Tristen Bell wins the BUCS Modern Pentathlon Championships University of Stirling athlete Tristen Bell has won the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Modern Pentathlon Championships in style – breaking the record by 10 points The American sports scholar took first place in the event – which comprises fencing a laser run and an obstacle course – ahead of four University of Cambridge students put in phenomenal performances in both swimming and laser run to finish first in both events and took second place in fencing and seventh in obstacles – giving him an overall score of 1435 BUCS points – reflecting a 10-second improvement on all previous records Tristen Bell won gold with a record-breaking performance Bell said: “I am absolutely delighted I couldn’t have asked for a better competition – I recorded a personal best in my swim “This has been a great way to start my season and I’m excited for what there is to come later this year.” represents the United States and won silver in the Men’s Modern Pentathlon Relay at the last Pan American Games in Santiago Modern Pentathlon has gone through significant change with the traditional event of horse riding replaced with obstacle course racing this has been a transitional year for Bell who is in his final year studying Business Studies and Sports Studies He is now preparing for the United States Nationals where he could qualify for the World Championships Head of Performance Sport at the University of Stirling – Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence said: “Tristen is a brilliant athlete who works exceptionally hard in both training and competition He absolutely deserves to be BUCS Modern Pentathlon champion “A huge congratulations to him from everyone at the University – and we look forward to seeing what he can achieve across the rest of this year.” Read more about sports scholarships at the University of Stirling Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s greatest stone castles, will be hosting a series of Christmas events across December allowing visitors to get into the festive spirit with afternoon teas Christmas Afternoon Tea will be on offer in the Great Hall on selected dates from Saturday 7 to Sunday 15 December offering a dining experience fit for royalty and a feast featuring festive favourites like pigs in blankets there’s an option to add a glass of prosecco to toast to the festivities The package includes entrance to Stirling Castle A Festive Wreath Making workshop will take place on Sunday 8 December where visitors can craft their own wreath to add a touch of homemade charm to their homes this Christmas And from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 December, Charles Dickens’s classic yule-tide tale will be brought to life with the Chapterhouse Theatre Company’s production of A Christmas Carol with dazzling musical sequences and authentic period costuming this production promises to be the perfect evening out this festive season Join family and friends at the most magical time of the year and be swept back in time nearly two centuries The shows on the 21 & 22 December will be BSL interpreted District Visitor and Community Manager at Stirling Castle for Historic Environment Scotland “Stirling Castle is a magical place all year round but that’s especially true during the Christmas season We’ve got lots on offer this year to help our visitors experience this iconic site and get into the festive spirit be it watching a theatre show in the Great Hall after hours or finding the perfect gifts whilst exploring the Christmas Shopping Fair Laura ElyHistoric Environment Scotland Media Office07721 959 962communications@hes.scot Railways have helped to shape Scotland’s history and the nation today, with 2025 marking the 200th anniversary of the modern railway. Using material from Historic Environment Scotland's archives and as part of Railway 200 the exhibition explores the history and impact of this groundbreaking means of transport Visitors can discover more about the railway’s construction architecture and the connections they created as well as their impact on industry and leisure Exhibitions Manager at Historic Environment Scotland “The railway is a fascinating part of our heritage that has shaped Scotland’s landscape and continues to have an impact on how we live forming connections across the nation and ushering in a new age of transport ‘Smoke and Steel: the History of Scotland’s Railways’ is on at Stirling Castle from Saturday 26 April 2025 to Sunday 7 September 2025 Entry to the exhibition is included with admission to the site Entry is free for Historic Scotland members 14 University of Stirling swimmers have been invited on to Aquatics GB's World Class Programme for the 2025 season A total of 14 University of Stirling swimmers have been invited on to Aquatics GB's World Class Programme (WCP) for the 2025 season which culminates with July and August's World Aquatics Championships in Singapore They join a total of 57 swimmers from across the UK selected for the year ahead following on from last summer's haul of five medals in the Paris Olympic pool for Team GB – three of them earned by Stirling athletes All athletes named on the WCP went through a thorough selection process which focuses on a detailed assessment of their capability to be successful at future Olympics and senior World Championships Swimmers are split across Podium and Podium Potential tiers with Stirling Olympics medallists Duncan Scott and Jack McMillan among those selected for the prestigious Podium list Freya Anderson will also be part of the Podium programme having confirmed her move to the University of Stirling programme complete the Stirling Podium representation features the talents of Stirling swimmers David Annis alongside Dean Fearn who trains between Stirling and his home base at Aberdeen Dolphins Athletes across the World Class Programme receive programme opportunities and targeted support from Aquatics GB and UK Sport including key competition opportunities and training camp experiences throughout the season There is also access to comprehensive support from the world-leading Aquatics GB performance and sports science and sports medicine staff Head of Performance Sport at the University of Stirling said: "The high volume of Stirling swimmers on the Aquatics GB World Class programme is testament to the performance environment that has been created by the coaches and support staff on campus The programme is built on strong and successful partnerships and we look forward to working collaboratively with our partner agencies to give athletes the best opportunity to succeed in 2025 and beyond." Aquatics GB Performance Director Chris Spice said: "The start of a new Olympic cycle is always an exciting time across our World Class Programme with established athletes looking to build on the work and performances they have put together over previous years and opportunities for the next crop of British swimming talent to come through and flourish on the senior international stage "Off the back of a successful Games in Paris several of our top athletes have had extended breaks which they richly deserved.  This will no doubt impact on our team selection and performances in Singapore – however I am particularly keen to see which of our youngsters can move forward this year and challenge for senior team selection This is a year for us to find new talent and start building towards LA 2028 and we can’t wait to get going In some ways it will be nice to return to a normal calendar over the next four years.” Aquatics GB’s new Head Coach is Steven Tigg The University of Stirling’s world-leading high-performance swim programme provides athletes with a bespoke package of world-class coaching and access to the latest innovations in sports research Those on scholarships can also benefit from academic flexibility to support their education alongside their sporting ambitions Townsend joined the University of Stirling in November 2024 as Deputy Principal (Research and Innovation) He brings extensive expertise in biomedical and health sciences and a proven track record of transformative leadership in higher education After earning his PhD at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund (now CRUK) in 1997 Paul has consistently bridged the gap between industry and academia pushing the frontiers of scientific discovery His research in cell stress and survival mechanisms along with his work on developing network solutions for early disease detection His career spans institutions including the University of Southampton and the University of Manchester he served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean at the University of Surrey's Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences he established the new Surrey School of Medicine founded the Surrey Academic Health and Care Partnership and co-led both the Wolfson Bioanalytics Centre of Excellence and Surrey Centre of Excellence in Ageing the Faculty secured Athena Swan Gold and Silver awards and excellent REF and NSS results Paul has co-founded several companies and secured multi-million-pound grants from major funding bodies leading to significant breakthroughs in biomarker identification As Deputy Principal for Research and Innovation Paul is tasked with leading and driving research excellence His focus includes maximising innovation initiatives through City Region and Growth Deals and elevating the University's global research standing and REF29 performance His international outlook and recent work in senescence technology highlight his commitment to collaborative innovation addressing real-world challenges Paul’s responsibility encompasses fostering a research culture across the institution that positions Stirling at the forefront of innovative research and nurtures future academic leaders PA to Deputy Principal (Research and Innovation) The University hopes to bring new audiences to the classic tale and highlight its own research into privacy and surveillance Data protection and surveillance experts at the University of Stirling are hosting a unique exhibition of George Orwell’s novel Nineteen Eighty-Four Through a month-long exhibition and associated events the University hopes to bring new audiences to the classic tale exploring privacy surveillance and data-keeping – and at the same time highlight its own research in these subjects The Winston Smith Library of Victory and Truth launches on Data Privacy Day Stirling is one of only a handful of locations in the country to host the interactive exhibition of 1,984 pre-owned copies of the novel The exhibition is a collaboration between the University's Management School and its Art Collection The University is home to the Centre for Research into Information, Surveillance and Privacy (CRISP) a collaboration of five universities which focuses on the political economic and social dimensions of contemporary technologically mediated surveillance practices The Winston Smith Library of Victory and Truth named after a character in Nineteen Eighty-Four Its arrival at the Stirling campus follows a successful run at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh as part of the Society of Scottish Artists annual exhibition The copies of the novel include inscriptions study notes and narratives from the books’ owners There will also be new copies of the novel the University plans to host schools and reading groups a screening of the film Nineteen Eighty-Four at Macrobert Arts Centre said: “We are excited to be hosting the Winston Smith Library of Victory and Truth an exhibition we hope will foster conversations about the core themes in Nineteen Eighty-Four and privacy and power – all of which are just as relevant today as when George Orwell’s novel was published in 1949 These are important areas of research for the University of Stirling and CRISP and we know that the innovative events we have lined up around alongside the exhibition will bring them to life for new and existing audiences.” Head of University of Stirling Collections said: “At the University of Stirling we believe art is crucial not only as an inspiration to our staff and students but to engage the wider community with the research that is undertaken here The Winston Smith Library of Victory and Truth is a wonderful example of art engaging with the issues we face as a society and we are grateful to Hans for the collaboration.” Clausen said: “The copies of the novel each have their own histories patinas and notes or inclusions from previous owners and readers Some of them are decommissioned library books Others have been turned into journals and scrap books and are works of art in themselves Our aim is for the library to be a catalyst for discussion For more on the exhibition and to book free tickets for the exhibition launch visit Exhibition Launch: The Winston Smith Library of Victory and Truth Tickets, Tue, Jan 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM | Eventbrite  Full listing of events here: The Winston Smith Library of T | Linktree Find out more about CRISP at https://www.crisp-surveillance.com More information on the project is at https://hanskclausen.com/the-winston-smith-library-of-victory-and-truth/ composers Pete and Joe Stollery and artist Orla Stevens for a day of sound and art workshops and performances to celebrate the launch of ‘On A Wing and A Prayer – Reflections on Deeside’s Changing Habitat’ an album on new music reflecting on our changing habitats composers Pete and Joe Stollery and artist Orla Stevens at Stirling University's Art Collection for a day of sound and art workshops and performances.  We will explore the university campus collecting sounds and making marks on paper in response to the environment around us we'll listen and reflect on what we've heard and seen and also reflect on our changing habitats in the light of human agency and our changing weather patterns There will also be a chance to view the current exhibition The workshops are suitable for all ages and abilities Book a single workshop or stay for the day All workshops are free to access with a suggested donation of £10 per workshop The day will finish with a performance at 18:00 of Nordic Viola's brand new album with Pete and Joe Stollery "On A Wing and A Prayer - Reflections on Deeside's Changing Habitat." There will be an opportunity to meet with the musicians and ask questions about the project after the performance.  Entry to the performance is free with a suggested donation towards musicians’ fees of £10-15 11:00 to 15:00 - Gather and Respond Creative Workshop This innovative creative workshop invites you to record sounds on the university campus and respond visually making marks in response to what we see and hear Then we’ll go back indoors to listen Book the Gather and Respond Creative Workshop 15:30 to 17:00 - Drawing to Sound Creative Workshop Orla Stevens will lead an arts workshop exploring the connections between drawing and mark-making and sound encouraging you to use sound as a creative catalyst for visual artwork Book the Drawing to Sound Creative Workshop 18:00 to 19:00 - Performance of On A Wing and A Prayer The day will finish with a performance of Nordic Viola's brand new album with Pete and Joe Stollery "On A Wing and A Prayer - Reflections on Deeside's Changing Habitat." There will be an opportunity to meet with the musicians and ask questions about the project after the performance Book On A Wing and A Prayer performance A popular Danish furniture and homeware brand is set to open a store in the Thistles shopping centre in Stirling Søstrene Grene will be moving into the unit beside Superdrug this summer The family-owned chain sells a range of home interiors The brand’s shops are “designed to inspire body and soul” playing classical music and incorporating product displays that inspire “hygge” – a Danish concept of contentment and well-being Australian jewellery chain Lovisa will also open in the centre’s former Pandora unit both stores are expected to open this summer Søstrene Grene recently advertised for three jobs at its Stirling shop The company is looking for a store manager and the expected start date for all roles is June 16 Søstrene Grene’s Group CEO and co-owner Mikkel Grene said: “We are of course very happy to be opening our seventh Scottish store in beautiful Stirling as this brings us one step closer to our goal of opening 100 stores across the UK by 2027 “We are looking forward to welcoming shoppers to the wonderful world of Søstrene Grene where there is room to take a little break from an often-hectic everyday life and explore our affordable product range of home décor said: “We’re delighted to welcome Lovisa and Søstrene Grene to Thistles “These exciting additions reflect our ongoing commitment to bringing fresh in-demand retailers to the heart of Stirling.” Clothing retailer H&M is set to return to the Thistles Centres this spring We use some essential cookies to make this website work We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK remember your settings and improve government services We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports The King has been pleased to appoint Colonel Charles Wallace DL as His Lord-Lieutenant for Stirling and Falkirk FRSE following his retirement on 15th February 2025 Charles Wallace spent 35 years in the Army serving across the world from the Falkland Islands to Brunei and Hong Kong; and from India and Nepal to North America He was on operational service in Northern Ireland with the UN in the Former Yugoslavia (Bosnia Charles was the Scottish Veterans Commissioner from September 2018 to March 2022 Deeply committed to addressing the challenges that individuals and their families face after military service he sought innovative and novel approaches to highlight the impressive talent this group of people bring to our society He has been the Chairman of the Scottish Veterans Fund Panel and of the Highland and Lowland Brigades Club as well as the Vice Chairman (Army) for the Highland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association He remains a trustee on the Royal Company of Archers Charitable Trust He is currently the Secretary to the King’s Body Guard for Scotland he was instrumental in orchestrating over 390 Archers across 21 different duties during the period of Mourning and State Funeral for the late Queen Elizabeth II in Scotland and London in 2022 and for the Coronation of King Charles III in 2023 Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is bringing its immersive Cube to Stirling Castle from Monday 10 to Sunday 23 February The Cube is an audio-visual experience with surrounding projections which will show hidden views from the rooftops of the Castle and virtual explorations of sites across Scotland and the world This experience brings unique access to historic sites straight to visitors The Cube has previously been on tour to Barra in the Outer Hebrides and is a new way for locals and visitors alike to interact with the historic environment that surrounds them “It’s amazing to be able to showcase our sites’ hidden sights through immersive technology “Digital documentation and innovation is a cornerstone of accurately surveying and monitoring the historic environment but it can also be used to enhance the visitor experience and to increase virtual access to hidden sides of the Castle “We are excited to offer this exclusive experience until Sunday 23 February at Stirling Castle and we hope to bring the Cube to other sites in the future.” The Cube will visit Stirling Castle’s Chapel Royal for two weeks. Entry to the Cube is included in tickets to Stirling Castle which is open every day from 9.30am to 5pm (last entry 4pm) HES received funding for the immersive cube from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) as part of a UK-wide package of funding to support digital innovation across the cultural sector Historic Environment Scotland Media Office07721 959 962communications@hes.scot with a pipe band parade marching through the city crossed Old Stirling Bridge and finished at the Stirling County Rugby Club including 350 musicians and local community groups an art exhibition and a ceilidh held at the Albert Halls ShareSaveFalkirk councillor felt 'physically sick' after threats over council tax riseThe councillor who introduced Scotland's biggest council tax rise this year has received violent threats over the decision. Fire tears through roof of historic church in AngusThe Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) put the fire out and there were no casualties. Cat rescued after five days under a buildingScottish SPCA officers used a camera to locate Cleo, before she was freed by the fire service. 'I want the community to be part of Pitlochry festival theatre'Alan Cumming sets out his hopes for the Pitlochry festival theatre to flourish artistically and as part of the local community. King Charles visits community food bank in AlloaThe King visited The Gate which provides support to people facing homelessness and food insecurity. Watch: My husband went to work and didn't come home'I don't want any other family to be in our position,' says Magda Szmeichel, who lost her husband in a recycling site fire. Drone footage shows Friarton Bridge recycling fireSmoke from a blaze at a recycling centre has forced the closure of the Friarton Bridge in Perth. The cafe helping prisoners escape a life of crimeFormer prisoner Lee Jack says the cafe he worked at while on day release helped to turn his life around. Climbing inside a Kelpie's head Visitors will soon be given the chance to climb inside the 98ft tall structures near Falkirk. Afghan women describe joy at resuming medical dreams in ScotlandMedical students banned from university in Afghanistan describe their joy after resuming their studies in Scotland. Why do hemp farmers have to hide their crops?Martin Cessford’s hemp farm spans five hectares, but he has to keep its exact location in Angus remains a secret. See how to reconstruct a Bronze Age necklaceA Bronze Age necklace is back on show in all its glory for the first time in thousands of years after a painstaking reconstruction process. When Andy Murray was a 14-year-old star of the futureBack in 2001 Andy Murray was the "bright star" of the future when he was just 14 and aiming for Wimbledon success. Saying goodbye is hard as a guide dog puppy raiserSaying goodbye is hard as a guide dog puppy raiser Investigating crime scenes in virtual realityA team from the University of Dundee is developing ways to help investigators work out how fires start. A host of new restaurants and shops are set to open in Stirling Big shopping chains and independent eateries look likely to open their doors in the coming weeks and months across the city The Courier has shone a spotlight on eight new businesses thought to be coming soon A new brunch spot is currently under renovation on King Street Signs for Granary have gone up where the former Victoria’s Coffee Shop was located The family-run cafe closed last year after almost 24 years in business. Further details about Granary are yet to be revealed Major fashion retailer H&M is set to reopen in Stirling after a five year absence. The brand will be moving into the former Debenhams unit in the Thistles shopping centre laser quest and a ball pit are included in the plans Stirling’s former Allan Park South Church on Dumbarton Road has been bought by a Glasgow hospitality company Speaking exclusively to The Courier, bosses of Hot World Cuisine revealed they hope to open a world buffet restaurant and a Kongz outlet selling smash burgers The plans are currently being considered by Stirling Council A new cafe is set to open in the ground floor of the Thistles centre The Cup and Saucer is due to open this spring homemade cakes and light bites for commuters The aim is for the cafe to be “a cosy space to relax The chef behind the popular Napizza is returning to Stirling after a five year absence Alex Sorlei, who ran the former Friars Street restaurant, and David Atkins are launching Piotsa Pizza on King Street. Both sit-in and takeaway food will be available from the site of the former Strathcarron Hospice charity shop The restaurant is ready to open once Stirling Council gives its final seal of approval Last year, plans to build an Asda in the city were greenlit. The supermarket will be the first from the brand in the city with its only current presence being small express stores at Kildean and on Kerse Road A petrol station, car showroom, offices, and space for new businesses are also proposed on the planned new supermarket site wheelchair users and cyclists will be built which currently cuts the existing retail park off from where the new Asda will sit Fast food company Chickaros is set to open in the city centre Planning permission has already been granted for the former Bub Tea on Port Street. Chickaros serves everything from southern fried chicken to gourmet burgers as well as sweet treats like waffles and milkshakes Ladbrokes is currently in the process of moving into the former HSBC Bank building on Murray Place. The betting shop is expected to open on April 28 the gambling company that owns Ladbrokes and Coral currently has two shops in the city centre These units – on King Street and Murray Place respectively – will close once the new building is open A new brunch spot has opened in Stirling city centre Work has been underway since December 2024 to renovate the former Victoria’s Coffee Shop on King Street Granary – which is the sister cafe of nearby White Dove – started serving customers this week told The Courier Granary is a “relaxed brunch spot” for all to enjoy “All of our staff are so passionate about either coffee or cooking,” she added Take a first look inside Granary below For more Stirling news and features visit our page or join us on Facebook To celebrate the 900th anniversary since Stirling was founded as a Royal Burgh this exhibition features artwork and archival material from the University Archives and Art Collection which celebrate the history of the town and its cultural heritage Stirling is the annual exhibition from the Culture on Campus initiative which is a collaborative project between the Art Collection University Archives and the Macrobert Arts Centre to develop a creative environment where creative thinking and creative acts are at the heart of our identity as a place of learning Join the Scotland’s International Environment Centre team a whole host of business support agencies and renewables installers at this year’s Net Zero Business Support Summit Whilst the UN’s Climate Change Conference is underway in Azerbaijan we’ll be bringing the emission reductions focus to the heart of Stirling for local businesses The Net Zero Support summit will offer you the chance to learn more about funding opportunities give you access to physical products and support services to drive down costs and carbon as the winter months approach The two-part event will consist of presentations from support practitioners followed by a networking lunch with stalls featuring the latest products and services to help you on your net zero journey This event is free to attend for organisations in the Stirling Council region and forms part of a package of support made available by the UK Government through the UK Share Prosperity Fund and managed by Stirling Council More than 300 graduates were celebrated at a ceremony on campus More than 300 graduates collected their award certificates at a celebration of their achievements on campus today The graduation ceremony held in the National Tennis Centre is the first of three to take place at the University of Stirling this week More than 1,000 students will celebrate their academic achievements alongside their families Tennis champion Jamie Murray and retail entrepreneur Stanley Morrice will receive honorary degrees from the University of Stirling at ceremonies held tomorrow Davis Cup winner and former doubles world number one will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of his contribution to Scottish and UK tennis Stanley Morrice, best known as being one of Scotland’s most prolific serial entrepreneurs, will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate for services to Scottish food, drink and agriculture, as well as to the University of Stirling. Stanley is a member of Stirling Management School’s International Business Advisory Board Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Stirling said: “Graduation is always a special occasion for the University – a time to celebrate with our graduates and their families and friends and an opportunity to recognise the hard work and academic achievements of our students.” For more information about graduation, please visit the University’s graduation webpages View the album on Flickr CloseStirling's 900th anniversary finale celebrations have been held Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRead descriptionEditor's recommendationsStirling celebrates 900th anniversary with parade 00:01:01Stirling celebrates 900th anniversary with parade 1:01Up Next Merz defeat 'an obstacle not a catastrophe' Video 00:01:05Merz defeat 'an obstacle not a catastrophe' 1:05Watch: BBC reports from pier 33 - the gateway to Alcatraz 00:01:44Watch: BBC reports from pier 33 - the gateway to Alcatraz 1:44Watch: Prince Louis steals the show as royals mark VE Day 00:01:25Watch: Prince Louis steals the show as royals mark VE Day 1:25Watch: How Lady Gaga's record-breaking concert almost ended in disaster Video 00:01:21Watch: How Lady Gaga's record-breaking concert almost ended in disaster 1:21'Trump was the game-changer': Three things to know about the Australian election result 00:01:20'Trump was the game-changer': Three things to know about the Australian election result 1:20Prince Harry 'can't see a world' where his family will visit the UK 00:02:54Prince Harry 'can't see a world' where his family will visit the UK 2:54Watch: Key moments from the local elections.. 00:01:32Watch: Key moments from the local elections.. 1:32Watch: Reform by-election win raises questions for Labour and Tories 00:01:11Watch: Reform by-election win raises questions for Labour and Tories 1:11Russell Brand's court appearance explained.. 00:00:50Russell Brand's court appearance explained.. 0:50Ros Atkins on.. What's in the US-Ukraine resources deal 1:23Kamala Harris hits out at Trump in first major speech since losing election 00:01:18Kamala Harris hits out at Trump in first major speech since losing election The event has been rescheduled from its original date on Saturday 25 January due to a closure following Storm Éowyn Visitors are invited to celebrate Robert Burns with the famous bard himself after which he returned to his hotel where he etched the now famous Stirling Lines Hear all about Burns’ life and what it would have been like to live around the same time as him From the French Revolution to the Jacobites And it wouldn’t be a celebration without dancing and music with the chance to learn some moves in the Chapel Royal Visitors can also learn all about the foods which would have been on Burns’ daily menu or served at his party and can practice addressing the haggis Robert Burns might grace you with a poem of his own Events Manager at Historic Environment Scotland who manage Stirling Castle “Though we sadly had to close our doors on January 25 due to the impact of Storm Éowyn we’re thrilled to be able to give the Scottish Bard a belated birthday celebration and bring the spirit of Burns to life!” Burns an' a' that is taking place at Stirling Castle between 12 and 4pm on Saturday 8 February 2025 The event is included in admission to Stirling Castle Entry to daytime events is free for Historic Scotland members Two University of Stirling coaches are also selected for the competition Eight swimmers from the University of Stirling – Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence – will compete for Aquatics GB at this summer’s World Aquatics Championships in Singapore Lucy Hope and Jack McMillan have been selected for the competition They will be joined in Singapore by University of Stirling Head Performance Swim Coach Ben Higson and High-Performance Swim Coach Bradley Hay who have been selected to support the team said: “We are delighted that eight swimmers from our high-performance swim programme will compete in Singapore this summer It is an incredible achievement to be selected for a World Championships and I’m very proud that Stirling will be well represented at the competition “Congratulations to all our swimmers The selection announcement from Aquatics GB follows a thrilling week’s racing at the Aquatics GB Championships in London where Stirling athletes won 13 events and medalled in nine more.  A total of 28 athletes have been selected for the Championships The University's former Head Performance Swim Coach will head up the team in his new role as Swimming Head Coach of Aquatics GB who is a student at the University but trains in Manchester said: “We were treated to a week of top-quality racing at the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships with so many Worlds selection times met and countless finals going down to the very last strokes It is always a pleasure to see events being moved on as well so a special mention to Angharad Evans and Oliver Morgan for their respective British records which bode really well for the season ahead “This is an exciting team that genuinely combines world-class experience in the sport's biggest arenas with a host of up-and-coming talents who we hope can gain invaluable insight in the summer both in terms of competition but also being around our athletes and staff in a World Championship environment the focus for everyone involved is on delivering a season's best performance in the summer and everything we do between now and late July will be working towards that “Seeing how swimmers like Jacob Mills Max Morgan and Holly McGill delivered in front of packed crowds and a TV audience at the London Aquatics Centre last week means they are already on the right track to do that it is always promising to see the way our experienced big hitters were able to show their class and perform strongly after some well-deserved breaks post-Paris and that is encouraging in terms this summer our ongoing relay prospects and the longer-term picture over the next Olympic cycle.” The University of Stirling offers a world-leading high-performance swim programme which provides athletes with a bespoke package of world-class coaching performance mentoring and access to the latest innovations in sports research Head Performance Coach Ben Higson leads the programme