School’s out for summer! (Nearly!)

by | Jun 25, 2018 | Blog

In the school holidays, it’s all too easy for the kids to park themselves in front of the tv and slouch their way through summer. But with just a little prep (and a thrown-together picnic), the school holidays can be a brilliant time for learning, exploring and making memories. Here are just a few suggestions to get you thinking!

Explore some of Scotland secret gardens

Explore some of Scotland secret gardens

Take life more slowly at Linlithgow Canal Basin

Take life more slowly at Linlithgow Canal Basin

Charity Garden Openings

The Scotland’s Gardens scheme raises money for charity through encouraging, promoting and supporting garden openings all over the country. For just a small donation, you can gain access to some of Scotland’s most beautiful secret gardens, and you may find a cream tea there, too. There are dates throughout July and August. To find a garden open near you, type in your postcode on their website: https://scotlandsgardens.org/

Summer Programme at the Engine Shed

Head to the Engine Shed throughout the summer holidays for fun, free workshops that will introduce you and your family to traditional building skills and materials. Choose from Brilliant Buildings, to Inventor’s Workshops, to a James Watt Engineering Challenge, 3D printing, to creating your own powered machines. Even if you don’t book onto one of the Summer Programme events, this is a fabulous place, and well worth the visit. You’ll be able to find out lots about the important work of Historic Environment Scotland, too. For more information, visit: https://www.engineshed.scot/whats-on/event/

Linlithgow Canal Basin

If you like spending time on the water, then Linlithgow Canal Centre is for you. The Canal Centre (just 22 miles or 29 mins from Stirling) is operated entirely by volunteers and their love of the boats and the water brings a little magic to your trip. The Centre runs three core trips – a half-hour town cruise, a three-hour Avon Aqueduct Cruise, and a Falkirk Wheel Cruise. The Aqueduct cruises take place at weekends, The Falkirk Wheel cruises on specified dates, while the town cruises run daily throughout the summer from 1 July. Tickets are very good value, staff have a wealth of local knowledge, and you can enjoy some gorgeous home baking before or after in the Canal Centre Tearoom (with a wood fire in winter). The Canal centre is a hidden gem in the heart of Linlithgow, and worthwhile supporting too. Don’t miss their Canal Fun Day on 18 August and bring a picnic. For detail on ticket prices, cruises, special events and facilities, see: http://www.lucs.org.uk/boat-trips

Stirling Highland Games

On Saturday 17 August, Stirling Sports Village will host one of the region’s signature annual events. Stirling’s Highland Games welcomes visitors from around the world to witness traditional Highland games competitions in the heart of the City. The games field offers brilliant views over to the Wallace Monument, Cambuskenneth Abbey and Stirling Castle. A full programme of traditional events includes running, cycling, Highland dancing, heavyweights, long jump and triple jump.  In addition, there will be an Arts & Crafts Market, an Activities Challenge area, Heritage Tours, and a Food & Drink Festival with street food vendors, producers and craft beer, gin and whisky bars, as well as entertainment from the Creative Arts Festival with live performances from 12:30 until 17:00. Buy your tickets online: http://www.stirlinghighlandgames.com/

Anniversary Events at the Wallace Monument

The National Wallace Monument opened its doors to visitors on Saturday 11th September 1869, and 2019 marks the building’s 150th anniversary. The anniversary year will be commemorated with an expanded programme of events, including free activities every day in July and August such as Warrior Training on Thursdays, Family Fridays, and actor performances on Saturdays and Sundays. And remember to ask staff abut converting your admission ticket into an annual pass, which means you can come back to enjoy each of the Monument’s Anniversary events! For more information, visit: https://www.nationalwallacemonument.com/ht_event/

 

Stirling Highland Games is a perfect day out for everyone

Stirling Highland Games is a perfect day out for everyone

The Wallace Monument has a packed Summer Programme this year

The Wallace Monument has a packed Summer Programme this year

 

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The Engine Shed: Bringing Scotland’s Built Heritage to Life

by | May 14, 2018 | Blog

A former goods transfer shed in the heart of Stirling has been transformed into Scotland’s first dedicated building conservation centre. An intensive programme of restoration began in 2013, creating an inspirational resource both for learning and for tourism.

Activities for all ages are available at the Engine Shed

Activities for all ages are available at the Engine Shed

The Engine Shed is creating a new generation of building conservation

The Engine Shed is creating a new generation of building conservation

A strategic location

The Engine Shed sits on the banks of the River Forth. Interestingly, there is little detail about the history of the building, because it was a strategic – and pretty secret – base for the army in the run up to and during both World Wars. Now, it’s a thriving hub for both the public, and for the construction and conservation professionals who come here to enhance their skills.

Conservation in action

The building’s own restoration and extension has been a very public statement of its aims. Traditional materials have been used in a contemporary way, staying as close to the original character as possible. Stone salvaged from the former Seaforth bridge, recycled wrought iron, and simple cord and pulley ventilation systems have all come together in the renovation, inspired by railway architecture. In addition, two new sheds have been constructed alongside the original, sympathetically designed to complement their older peer, rather than compete with it. Dr Lyn Wilson, manager of the Engine Shed’s Digital Documentation Team said, “For me, favourite aspects of the Engine Shed design are the open-plan layout which really helps with our aim to create a melting pot for ideas and conversations here, combined with the use of sustainable and recycled materials in the new wings”.

What the public can expect

It’s a beautiful space that opens from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday, and is free to visit. Here, you’ll find the stories of Scotland’s built heritage brought to life – for children and adults alike. Interactive exhibits, a 4K, 3D theatre, augmented reality experiences and hands-on activities appeal to all ages. Workshops and seminars take that one stage further, looking at subjects as diverse as ‘Making Mosaics’, to ‘Climate Change and the Historic Environment’. In addition, the Engine Shed offers a busy programme of creative holiday activities for children. These not only offer a very different day out, but embed some traditional construction skills, and an early understanding of conservation, too. Keep up to date here: https://www.engineshed.scot/whats-on/

Learning at the Engine Shed

In addition to all the fun, and free!, workshops, the Engine Shed is also a platform for those wanting to develop their knowledge of traditional buildings. The programme offers a number of seminars and an annual Summer School that are perfect for enthusiasts and professionals. Summer School is a five-day introduction to the principles of traditional architecture and the conservation and maintenance of historic buildings.

For those searching for a more formal learning route, the Postgraduate Course in Technical Building Conservation is a great option. The course offers flexibility on approach, as it can be done on a full- or part-time basis and is the perfect route to start a career in the building conservation sector.

The Outreach Team offers sessions for schools, which have been carefully developed by the in-house experts and tie in with the Curriculum for Excellence. They even offer a travel subsidy to Stirling! Vanesa Gonzalez, Content Manager for the Engine Shed, describes just how important this is to the team: “At the Engine Shed, we are proud to be engaging with a wide range of audiences. From school children to professionals, from families to community groups, we are enthusing thousands of people with Scotland’s built heritage.”

For more information about learning at the Engine Shed: https://www.engineshed.scot/learning/

A new generation

“People are coming from all over Scotland to get involved and use the Engine Shed as a focal point for exploring their built heritage,” explains Lyn. “We are really excited that we are inspiring a new generation to get involved with traditional skills and materials, conservation science and digital documentation and innovation, as well as shining a spotlight on Stirling as a centre of excellence in these areas. The most rewarding aspect of working at the Engine Shed is knowing we are playing an active role in conserving our historic environment for future generations.”

So, when you’re planning family days out over this coming summer, skip the softplay for a day. Instead, check in on what the Engine Shed can teach your children about their country’s built history, and give them the skills to be a part of its bright future.

Open plan design allows space for large-scale projects and events

Open plan design allows space for large-scale projects and events

A modern facility built with traditional techniques and recycled elements

A modern facility built with traditional techniques and recycled elements

Photo credits: 

Our thanks to the staff of the Engine Shed, and the Historic Environment Scotland Photo Unit for the following images used in this piece:

  • Image of young boy building wall: © Julie Howden
  • Image of staff assembling floor map: © Rob McDougall
  • Image of students learning : © Julie Howden
  • Image of Engine Shed exterior: © Rob McDougall
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Let the Games Begin!

by | May 9, 2018 | Blog

Are you a visitor to Scotland? Want to liberally dowse yourself in our country’s culture, food, and attitude? There’s no better way to do it than to attend one of our many Highland Games. These fun family events are nothing short of Scotland being distilled into one playing field. Scotland squared. Scotland with its kilt on, and tongue firmly in its cheek. Come one, come all, to the fabled Scottish Highland Games.

Heavy athletes take part in traditional events

Heavy athletes take part in traditional events

Competing in a kilt is part of the challenge

Competing in a kilt is part of the challenge

Here’s just a few, in and around Stirling, or a comfortable jaunt in the car.

Airth Highland Games, 28 July, 2018

Claiming to be Scotland’s oldest, Airth Games in their current guise were founded in 1871, though their origins stretch back centuries before that. Thousands of visitors come each year for the unique and friendly atmosphere of these Games, surrounded by the picturesque setting of the River Forth and Ochil Hills. The usual recipe is here: highland dancers, solo pipers, heavy athletes and track competitors. But bystanders can get hands-on in the Smiddy Stane Challenge and the famed Tug-O-War. Keeping everyone smiling are the local pipe band, children’s entertainment, craft stalls, local foods, refreshment tents, a fairground and much more. For information and tickets: http://www.airthgames.co.uk/

Bridge of Allan Highland Games, 5 August 2018

Less than two miles from Stirling’s City Centre, Bridge of Allan hosts one of Scotland’s premier Highland Games. The annual event attracts crowds of between 8,000 and 10,000 people. The games field nestles between Stirling Castle, the Ochil Hills and the National Wallace Monument. This year, there will be Highland dancing, pipe bands, and a full programme of traditional Highland Games competitions covering athletics, cycling, heavyweights, tossing the caber, and wrestling. There will be plenty of interesting stalls to browse, as well as food stands and an adjoining fairground for the kids. Bus and car parking is free. For info and tickets, see: http://bofagames.com/

Perth Highland Games, 12 August 2018

Situated at Perth Racecourse, you’ll find all the ingredients of a great Highland games. Watch athletes compete in traditional heavyweight competitions from the sidelines and put yourself to the test by participating in one of the running events. There will be Highland dancing, solo piping competitions, and the massively popular pipe band contest, showcasing many international bands. Browse the stalls for some delicious local produce and crafts. For more information and tickets: perthhighlandgames.co.uk

Stirling Highland Games, 18 August 2018

One of the City of Stirling’s signature annual events, Stirling’s Highland Games welcomes visitors from around the world to witness traditional Highland games competitions. The games field behind Stirling Sports Village offers brilliant views over to the Wallace Monument, Cambuskenneth Abbey and Stirling Castle. There’s a full programme of traditional events that include running, cycling, Highland dancing, heavyweights, long jump and triple jump. Enjoy piping performances throughout the day, too. In addition, the Traders Village will present some fabulous Scottish fare. Wander through a delicious range of food and coffee servers, craft and whisky stalls, as well as an onsite bar. For details and tickets (discounted online) see: http://www.stirlinghighlandgames.com/

 

Solo and band piping contests are a regular feature

Solo and band piping contests are a regular feature

Highland Games are big on audience participation

Highland Games are big on audience participation

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The best Easter Egg Hunts in Stirling 2018

by | Mar 15, 2018 | Blog

Easter. Scotland is on the verge of bursting into bloom, and the days are noticeably longer. It’s time for getting outdoors, and catching up with the kids now the school term has finished. To help you plan an Easter to remember, we’ve rounded up some of the best family events throughout Stirlingshire.

Take an Easter Egg Special steam train at Boness and Kinneil Railway

Take an Easter Special steam train at Boness and Kinneil Railway

Fancy an Easter egg hunt at Culross Palace - for Outlander fans too!

Fancy an Easter egg hunt at Culross Palace – for Outlander fans too!

Extra-special Easter days out

Easter Egg Special Trains at Boness and Kinneil Railway: The railway’s popular Easter Egg special trains run on Friday 30, Saturday 31, Sunday 1 April and Monday 2 April. The journey from Bo’ness to Manuel takes around 70 minutes, but all tickets are Day Rovers, so you can hop on and hop off as you like. All children will receive an Easter treat on board. Stay all day and explore the Museum, Model Railway and the railway site via the Visitor Trail at Bo’ness and the stations along the line. There’s a prize for the best Easter bonnet, and an Easter egg hunt in the Museum, and loads of fun activities, too. Bring a picnic and enjoy it in the comfort of the picnic railway carriages alongside the platform. Help yourself to a free booklet to follow the brass rubbing trail from Bo’ness Station to the Museum. There are eight brass rubbings to find on the way. For more information, see: https://www.bkrailway.co.uk/easter-egg-specials-2018-news/

Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts with National Trust: Cadbury have teamed up with the National Trust for Scotland again this year to create Easter Egg Hunts in some of Scotland’s most historic settings. Chocolate and culture, combined! The nearest hunts to Stirling take place from Good Friday to Easter Monday. And they are at Alloa Tower in Clackmannanshure, Culross Palace, Fife, and House of the Binns in Linlithgow. Events are included in the normal admission price. Check your chosen venue’s Egg Hunt dates and other postcodes on the Cadbury website. There are lots of free downloads on the site for fun Easter activities at home, too: https://easter.cadbury.co.uk/

Easter Eggsplorer Trails with Historic Scotland: Not to be outdone, Historic Scotland are celebrating Easter too. Their Easter Eggsplorer Trails take place in iconic castles, abbeys, forts and palaces throughout Scotland. All you need to do is find the clues and complete the challenge to be a winner. Drop-in throughout the day, and the events are included in normal admission. The nearest participating venue to Stirling is Linlithgow Palace, from Good Friday to Easter Monday. You can search for other venues here: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/event/?eventId=297608b0-3502-4fde-9195-a6cc00fa3d0c

Brilliant, budget, Easter fun

Easter Egg Hunt at Muiravonside Country Park: For just £1, collect your trail map from Muiravonside’s café and follow the clues left by the Easter bunny. Find all the eggs that he has hidden around the park, complete all the challenges and collect your prize from the café. Take some time to see the animals in the farmyard too! From Saturday 31 March to Monday 2 April. Muiravonside is around a 20-minute drive from Stirling. It’s definitely worth a visit on its own merit. For more information: http://www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/whats-on/events/event.aspx?eid=6122&did=31684

Easter Hunt at the Helix: Again, for the princely sum of £1, hop on down to The Helix this April to take part in their Easter Hunt! Collect a clue sheet from the Plaza Cafe or Visitor Centre and follow the trail around the park to see if you can find the hidden treasures. Clue sheets will contain a number of puzzles, and a map to help you find the clues which are hidden around the park. Participants will receive an Easter treat, and there will be dairy-free alternatives for children with allergies. From Friday 30 March to Sunday 1 April. The Helix is around a 15-minute drive from Stirling. It’s a spectacular place, with free entry and activities for all. For more information: http://www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/whats-on/events/event.aspx?eid=6119&did=31681

See the Kelpies on your Helix Easter egg hunt

See the Kelpies on your Helix Easter egg hunt

Egg hunts, farm animals, and fresh air at Muiravonside Country Park

Egg hunts, farm animals, and fresh air at Muiravonside Country Park

Photo credits: 

  • Boness and Kinneil: By Thomas Nugent [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • Culross Palace: By Palickap (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • Kelpies image: Kindly supplied by the Kelpies Team.
  • Muiravonside: By Mike Smith [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

 

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Five ways you know Spring is coming

by | Feb 6, 2018 | Blog

January is over, there is a little more light, and the birds are beginning to sing again. But sometimes we need reminding that spring is just around the corner. Here are five tell-tale signs that we are on our way!

The daylight hours are lengthening into spring

The daylight hours are lengthening

See spring snowdrops at locations throughout Scotland until March

See spring snowdrops at locations throughout Scotland until March

The days are lengthening

Since the shortest day on 21 December, the days have been getting just a little bit longer. School runs are no longer done in the dark, and with sunrise now before 8am, all but the earliest risers will be breakfasting in the light. In the month of January, we gain between 1.5 to 2 minutes of daylight with each new morning. That picks up in February, with about 2.5 precious minutes of daylight gained every day! For an engaging little website to track the daylight hours across the globe, see this: suncalc.net/

It’s time for spring snowdrops

Scotland’s annual snowdrop festival is in full swing, celebrating one of our nation’s most cherished flowers. The snowdrop sums up everything we love about spring. it’s a hopeful, beautiful and determined little bloom that reappears undaunted every year despite late snows and biting cold. To witness this inspiring annual event for yourself, find a participating garden near you here:  http://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/events/scottish-snowdrop-festival

The farmers markets have reopened

After a hectic Christmastime, the stallholders of Scotland’s farmers markets hang up their thermals in the quiet month of January. But February sees them setting out fresh wares across the country. Stirling Farmers market takes place every second Saturday from February on, so they will be making their first outing of 2018 this Saturday. In Perth, stall holders are out on the first Saturday of the month in King Edward Street and St John’s Place. For details, see here: http://www.perthfarmersmarket.co.uk/

Spring romance and inspiration

Resist it if you can, but love is in the air. Want a traditional Valentine’s Day? Why not listen to some Romantic Classics with the Edinburgh Quartet at the Macrobert Stirling. Or, enjoy a special Valentine’s menu in the sumptuous surroundings of Henderson’s Bistro at the Albert Halls, Stirling. For those who want a learned way to spend their Valentine’s, take in one of the Royal Geographic Society’s lectures at Logie Lecture Theatre, University of Stirling. On 14 February, writer Jo Woolf brings to life the stories of some of the people who have inspired her. There are explorers from the ‘heroic age’ of polar exploration, desert travellers, renowned mountaineers, oceanographers, botanists, geologists, and a daring secret agent in Bolshevist Russia!

We are all planning holidays

It seems that as soon as the last of the Christmas Quality Street have been devoured, it’s time to start thinking about summer holidays. Most of us turn our thoughts to our summer break in January and February. It’s the time to get good deals and to give us something to look forward to after winter’s festivities. If you’re planning to spend your holiday in Scotland, why not make Stirling your base? The historic city offers great access to Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Highlands, and is a stunning destination in its own right. Browse our properties and check availability here. We’ll be delighted to see you!

Farmers markets have re-opened for spring

The farmers markets have reopened after Christmas chaos

Our properties offer unrivalled luxury and location for spring and any season

Our properties offer unrivalled luxury and location

More information: Henderson’s Bistro, Albert Halls, Dumbarton Road, Stirling FK8 2QL. Tel: 01786 469727 Website: www.hendersonsstirling.co.uk

Photo credits: Food and interior pics of Albert Halls, reproduced by kind permission of Henderson’s Bistro. Photographer Paul Andrew. Albert Halls exterior: Kenneth Allen [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

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Local Hero: Clan Artisan

by | Jan 23, 2018 | Blog

Clan Artisan is a busy, sparkling little company based in Stirling. It’s owned by Jen McEwan and Karen Merayo. The partnership specialises in creating luxury food hampers and corporate gifts that truly reflect the finest food that’s produced here in Scotland. But it’s far more than just a hamper business. Clan Artisan is all about reconnecting the consumer with the creator, and putting the love back into food. Clan Artisan is our Local Hero this month, and we spoke to Jen McEwan to learn more.

Clan Artisan hampers: sourced, wrapped and delivered with love

Clan Artisan hampers: sourced, wrapped and delivered with love

With 'build your own' hamper, you can add Scottish treats of your choice

With ‘build your own’ hamper, you can add Scottish treats of your choice

Family life

Partners Jen and Karen are full of enthusiasm, though it’s not been a straightforward road to success. Mums to five and three children respectively, there’s the commitments of family life to juggle too: “We had been planning Clan Artisan for almost a year when we officially launched our website on 28 November 2017. This was much later than we had originally anticipated. It’s unbelievable the number of pitfalls you encounter when setting up a business.” But it’s family life that is one the of the drivers behind the business. “We want our children to know where the foods they eat come from, and when a real person has made them. That it is important to support small businesses and the local economy. That’s just the way of Clan Artisan; it’s all about family”.

Business opportunity

Jen’s background in running the Wee Kitchen Company had given her a grounding in the food business, where she’d seen potential for further growth but couldn’t take the step alone: “I have always tried to support other small producers through The Wee Kitchen Company and had done hampers on a small scale. But it proved difficult to both make my own jam and create hampers. Doing it alone was a nightmare! I opened a pop-up shop a couple of years ago over Christmas and the demand was really high – overwhelming, in fact. So, I knew there was a good business there, but I didn’t want to go it all alone. I met Karen through our children, we got chatting about work, and both wanted a new challenge. It was then that we decided to set up Clan Artisan together.”

Quality products

When asked which product they are most proud of, Jen compliments all their producers, though adds “we do have a Clan Artisan cheese board that was made especially for us, we love that!” Jen’s jams are also amongst the company’s top sellers, so her range of table-top condiments, jams and relishes made from the finest seasonal ingredients are here to stay.

Supporting small business

High quality, locally sourced foods are one thing, but it’s perhaps the company’s ethos that gives it that added edge against competitors: “I’ve met most of our producers over the years through doing events with The Wee Kitchen Company,” explains Jen, “so we like to think of them as our friends, not just people who supply us. It’s all about helping and supporting each other. We are hoping to have a Clan Artisan gathering very soon with all our producers, so they can meet and chat and offer advice to each other. Then, our tag line will be coming true … It’s time for the gathering … come join the clan.”

Jen's savoury jams and accompaniments are best-sellers

Jen’s savoury jams and accompaniments are best-sellers

You'll find innovative food creations too, like superfood IQ chocolate

You’ll find innovative food creations too, like superfood IQ chocolate

More information:

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