Music in Stirling
Following the BBC’s Troy series, it is useful to remember how much classical information came through the programme of schools in the past. Featured is the brochure for Dido and Aeneas produced by the High School of Stirling and performed in Museum Hall, Bridge of Allan in June 1957. The
The Swimmers by Charles Anderson
Although this work is not in the Stirling Smith collections, the Burgh Architect’s personal record of it is. The photograph shows part of the great mural by Charles Anderson on the frontage of Stirling Swimming Pool, which opened in 1975 in Goosecroft Road. The architect was Alexander Jamieson Smith who
William Wallace sculpture
Following the success of the digitisation of the paintings in public collections, Art UK has now turned to sculpture, including the 40 pieces owned by the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum. This maquette of the oldest William Wallace sculpture is by Alloa sculptor Walter Awlson. It was commissioned from
Stirling Arms
The reminder in last week’s Observer that the Municipal Buildings opened on 21 March 1919 for the first time gives a chance to reflect on the quality and substance of the building, and the story of the Stirling Coat of Arms. The prize-winning architect was John Gaff Gillespie (1870 –
Pylons
‘Textile Alchemy’ is the title of the latest exhibition by the Turning Point Textile group at the Stirling Smith. Turning Point is a group of seven textile artists from the central belt of Scotland who work separately but hang well together. There are six themes in the exhibition, and Joyce
The Stirling Beaver
The news of beavers returning to the River Forth, as reported in the Stirling Observer, is timely. This beaver shop sign is at present in the exhibition on shop fronts in the Engine Shed. In the eighteenth century, the word “beaver” and “hat” were virtually synonymous. Beavers were hunted to
Black Beast Wanderer
In keeping with the weather brought by the #beastfromtheeast, the featured image is of the only Scottish beast which can truly withstand freezing temperatures. ‘Black Beast Wanderer’ is the title of Joseph Denovan Adam’s study of a solitary highland cow, caught up in a snow storm. Adam (1842 – 1896)
Newspaper Story
With the recent fire at 41 – 44 Murray Place, it’s worth remembering the history of this distinctive curved building, and the story of newspapers, always at the heart of the burgh. The first building on the site was the single storey newsagents shop of Crawford and Mackay. Eneas Mackay
Ye Smith Institute Fancye Fayre 1882
The bizarre bazaar held in the Stirling Smith, formerly the Smith Institute, 24 – 26 August 1882 is one of the stranger episodes in the museum’s history. After complaints that the main gallery of the Smith was being hired out for concerts and other activities which were doing damage to
Peatlands of Scotland
The series of talks by specialists continues on Thursday 15th February when at 12 noon, Andrew McBride, Peatland Action Programme Manager will speak on Peatlands: Scotland’s climate control mechanism at the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum. Andrew is based at Redgorton, Perthshire, with Scottish Natural Heritage. For those attending