Our top five family days out from Stirling

by | Feb 9, 2017 | Blog

The days are long, and the landscape is beautiful. Round up the kids, and head outside with our top five family days out near Stirling.

Family fun at Briarlands Farm - one of our top five days out
Family fun at Briarlands Farm
Boarding at Boness and Kinneil Railway - top five
A brilliant family day out amongst dedicated volunteers at Boness and Kinneil Railway

Briarlands Farm

This popular farm park lies just 8 miles or a scenic 15 minutes’ drive from Stirling, tucked into a tree-lined farm road near the village of Doune. You’ll find endless outdoors play here, with jumping pillows, go-Karts, toddler trikes, zip wire, sand pits, tractor rides and more. Feed the farm animals, and join one of the regular handling sessions to meet smaller furries. There’s a craft zone and a toddler play area when you need cover from showers, as well as a family-friendly tearoom with tonnes of home baking. Pick your own strawberries too, when the season comes around. For more information, see: http://briarlandsfarm.co.uk/

Blair Drummond Safari Park

This well-known safari park just outside Doune needs little introduction. Just a few minutes from Briarlands Farm, it’s around a 15-minute drive from Stirling City Centre. You’ll find everything from elephants, zebras and lions to penguins and sea-lions in this conservation-focused park. And there’s plenty thrown in to your ticket price too, including a range of demonstrations, boat safaris, pedal boats, Astroglide and ‘Meet the keepers’ sessions. Then there is a raft of paid attractions to consider too. The footprint is large, so it’s an idea to plan your visit in advance. For information, see: https://www.blairdrummond.com/

Boness and Kinneil Railway

This family-friendly heritage railway and museum is run by tireless volunteers who smile whatever the weather. They run steam trains throughout the year, with a host of special events ranging from Afternoon Teas on the Train, to Days out with Thomas, to Easter Egg Specials, and much more. Located in Boness, just 19 miles or a 29-minute drive from Stirling, Boness and Kinneil Railway is a brilliant day out for the family, even when the weather’s inclement. There’s a tearoom too, with a nostalgic atmosphere and proper gingham tablecloths. For more information, see: http://www.bkrailway.co.uk/

The Kelpies

To see them is to love them. These captivating sculptures tower some 30 metres above the M9, just 14 miles or 27 minutes’ drive from Stirling. And they are the stunning centrepiece of the Helix Park, a local greenspace for all that lies on the banks of the Forth Clyde Canal. Comprising 27 km of pathways, a lagoon, a splash zone, an unrivalled play area, bike hire, boat hire, cafes, visitor centre and public art spaces, the Helix has become one of Scotland’s most acclaimed visitor attractions. And yet it’s still free. There are regular events too. For more information, see: http://www.thehelix.co.uk/

Brucefields Family Golf Centre

If you fancy a family game of golf in inclusive, friendly surroundings, then Brucefields Family Golf Centre is for you. This 9-hole golf course lies just outside Bannockburn, only 3 miles outside Stirling. It offers a huge range of facilities and support services for all members of the family, whether they’re learners, experienced players or just there for the day out. There are some pretty good views to be enjoyed on the way round, too. There’s golf tuition, a driving range and a bistro bar too. Pay, play, have fun. More details here: http://www.brucefields.co.uk/

The Kelpies - figureheads for the fabulous Helix Park
The Kelpies – figureheads for the fabulous Helix Park
Brucefields Family Golf Centre - golf, fun, and great views
Brucefields Family Golf Centre – golf, fun, and great views

Photo credits:

  • Briarlands Farm: Photos taken by Blue Stag Media, and reproduced with kind permission of Briarlands Farm
  • The Kelpies: Photo taken by, and reproduced with kind permission of, The Kelpies Team
  • Brucefields Family Golf Centre: Photo kindly supplied by Brucefields Family Golf Centre
  • Boness and Kinneil Railway: By Elliott Simpson, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8322907
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Local Heroes: Brucefields Family Golf Centre

by | Aug 24, 2016 | Blog

After the Olympics, many of us are feeling that we ought to get more active, whatever the weather, and whatever our level of expertise. And there’s a sports venue on the outskirts of Stirling that prides itself on making just that happen. Brucefields Family Golf Centre are this month’s Local Heroes, and we spoke to Managing Director Kirsty Burge to find out more.

Brucefields Family Golf Centre, Stirling

Beautifully kept greens at Brucefields Family Golf Centre

Enjoy views across to the Ochils as you tee off at Brucefields

Enjoy views of the Ochils as you tee off

When asked to explain a little bit about Brucefields, Kirsty’s emphasis is on inclusion. It’s something not always associated with golf: ‘We give everyone the chance to play golf, whether you’re a child, a beginner, disabled, or a professional perfecting your skills; we have it all covered at the centre! Nor do you need to be paying large membership fees. Here, you can pay and play and enjoy the game to suit your lifestyle’.

Kirsty’s father, John Souter, designed and built the golf courses and driving range at Brucefields. So the golf centre, with views across to the Wallace Monument and the Ochils, has always been familiar to her. Shortly after Tulloch Homes purchased the company in 2004, Kirsty was asked to come and run Brucefields. There’s a definite sense of homecoming in her position there. Her small and close-knit team consists of Garry Shaw (Course Manager) Debbie Crawford (Reception Manager) and Christine Frost (Admin Manager). In addition, there are many other busy people behind the scenes who – Kirsty insists – are the key to the golf centre’s success.

And what a summer it’s been for Brucefields. Opened 20 years ago, they celebrated their birthday with a Family Fun Day on 11 June. This was quickly followed by six weeks of kids’ camps. Filled to capacity, these are taken by full-time golf professional Gregor Monks. ‘It’s such a fun thing to watch kids growing up with golf in their lives,’ observes Kirsty. The centre then hosted a regional final of The Wee Wonders, where children from 5-12 years old compete to the highest standards before going on to the finals in St. Andrews. ‘It was a real privilege to host this at Brucefields before moving on to a world-class golf course.’

And has there been an ‘Olympics effect’ on footfall at the centre? ‘We always love events such as the golf featuring in the Olympics – how can Justin Rose lifting the gold medal fail to inspire people? We always compare it to how Wimbledon brings out everyone wanting to lift a tennis racket; the likes of The Open and the upcoming Ryder Cup creates the same sort of buzz right here. People want to come and try golf for the first time or dust off their clubs!’

But not only does Brucefields cater for those who want to try out or revisit the sport, the centre has its regulars too, many of whom have been season ticket holders for many years, and those who use the range and teaching facilities to perfect their skills ever further. There is definitely a place for both ‘fun golf’ and ‘serious golf’ here. It’s a balance that other places can find difficult to achieve. And within its relaxed atmosphere, Brucefields is nurturing its fair share of champions in the making. ‘We are incredibly proud of many of our young golfers: Ewen Ferguson, coached by Gregor Monks, is the Scottish Amateur Golfer of the Year 2015, while Ben Wilson – at the age of 7 – has picked up many trophies in local junior tournaments.’

‘We are extremely grateful for everyone that supports Brucefields,’ says Kirsty, ‘and we just hope that we can continue to provide a well-rounded place where the whole family can come and enjoy golf.’

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