King Street in 1860
Here is a King Street that none of us have ever known. It is only a small section of the street, but it is tightly packed with businesses. On the left is Angus Ewing, Stabling, then Vance’s Boot and Shoe Warehouse, where a street level entry gives access to Alexander
The Fountain of Helicon
There are many rare and unusual pieces in the Stirling Smith collections, and the Fountain of Helicon is one of them. Time has not been kind to it, and it has been in store since the 1960s. We are currently seeking an appraisal for cleaning and restoration. This extraordinary work
Rome by Robert Macpherson
At the last meeting of the Stirling Smith Trustees, the loan of this painting for four months in 2018 to La Boverie, the new Museum of Fine Arts in Liege, Belgium, was approved. La Boverie, working with the Louvre will present an exhibition on the European Grand Tour, popular with
Bridge Clock Tower
Not many give a thought to the handsome clock tower at the south end of the Stevenson Bridge, marooned on a traffic island since the opening of the Inner Relief Road in 1971. This photograph, gifted to the Smith by John Calderbank of Stockport, shows it in 1914. The tower,
Stirling Futureworld
With so much anticipation of what the new Stirling City Deal will bring, a look at past developments, like Stirling Futureworld, launched in July 1984, is timely. The Futureworld plans were big and breath-taking, and launched with a style and on a scale which rarely had been seen in Scotland
The Isle of Iona – a special place even with the weather!
With the holiday season now in full swing I thought that this image would be most appropriate. Scotland is a beautiful country full of historic sites and castles, breath taking scenery and very friendly natives (most of the time!) I am ashamed to admit that I have travelled more extensively,
Polmaise: Stirling’s Star Ship
30 years after the closure of Polmaise No 3 and 4 Pits, it is important to remember the significance of the achievement of the coal industry and the men who made it. Recent additions to the Stirling Smith collections include a Stirling District Council publication, Polmaise, The Facts, arguing
30th Anniversary of the Polmaise Colliery Closure
This month sees the 30th anniversary of the closure of Polmaise Colliery 3 & 4, the pit which was first out in the Miners’ Strike of 1984, and last to return when the strike broke in 1985. British Coal announced the closure of Polmaise Colliery on 15 July 1987. Two
From Ceylon to Cambusbarron
Today’s story about the Scottish Women’s Rural Institute in Cambusbarron, heralds a special summer exhibition at the Stirling Smith, beginning 15 July. ‘Crafty Goings On!’ celebrates 100 years of the SWRI, now the Scottish Women’s Institute, and features intricate craft work from members of the Stirling, Clackmannan and West Perthshire
Stirling Golf Club Medal
A previous blog featured John Duncan (1861-1939) who was the professional at Kings Park Golf Club from July 1901 to his retirement in 1935 This image is of a medal presented by Stirling Golf Club in the early 20th Century Being won by:- J S McGregor 1904 J R Archibald