Hay’s Music Store – Stirling
It would take a book to assess and appreciate the effect of Hay’s Music Store on the cultural life of Stirling over the generations. Before its closure in 1996, the Store was in Friar Street, but previous locations were in Barnton Street and Murray Place. The Hay family served and
Emily Wilding Davison
This rare copy of the suffragette newspaper, 13 June 1913, is a recent gift to the Stirling Smith collections by librarian and Bridge of Allan historian, Malcolm Allan. It describes the tragic circumstances of the death of Emily Wilding Davison, who died under the hooves of the King’s horse at
Dunblane in 1887
This watercolour by artist John Bell shows a rural Dunblane of 1887. It is a recent purchase for the Stirling Smith collections courtesy of Dr Robin Campbell and the Stirling Common Good Fund. Not much is known about the artist. There are some works by him in York Museum collections
Ming Dynasty Cup, Chinese New Year, Stirling
Ming Cup The Year of the Rooster 2017 is now well underway. It was brought to Stirling by a huge Chinese dragon, dancing to the delight of the crowds at the Albert Hall, followed by a night of spectacular performances of Chinese song, music, dance, gymnastics and magic. This was
Municipal buildings, Stirling
Places change their geographical focus through time. For most of the twentieth century, Corn Exchange was the commercial, literary, ceremonial and municipal centre of Stirling. Shown here is a royal visit at the Municipal Buildings in 1929. The Municipal Buildings were opened less than 100 years ago in 1918, joining
Stirling Soroptimists
The sterling silver President’s chain and badge of office of the Soroptimist International of Stirling Club 1959 -2016 was one of many fine gifts to the Stirling Smith collections last year. It is always sad when a long – running organisation ceases to function, but the Smith looks after the
St. Thomas
29 December is known as the feast day of St.Thomas Becket (1118-70) who was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral 846 years ago. He is depicted in several pilgrim badges, in the Neish Pewter Collection in the Stirling Smith. The example here shows him as Archbishop of Canterbury. Another showing his murder,
A Stirling Bike for Christmas
At this time of year, many children are hoping for a bicycle from Santa. The Stirling Smith is no different, and a long – promised bicycle, made by George Elrick of Stirling for 16 year old Dick Clark in 1954 is on its way, with all the accessories. George Elrick
Beautiful Stirling, Alexander Kellock Brown RSA RSW RI (1849 – 1922)
Featured today is a watercolour by the eminent Glasgow artist, Alexander Kellock Brown RSA RSW RI (1849 – 1922), purchased recently for the Stirling Smith collections. The artist’s viewpoint is from the Cornton area, looking across the Forth to what was Winshel Place at Laurencecroft (now Drip Road) in the
Wallace and St Andrew
Andrew Hay is a well-known Scottish artist with paintings in several museum collections. This work of his is in the Smith collections and depicts the brutal murder of Wallace at Smithfield on St. Bartholomew’s Day 1305. Bartholomew was the Patron Saint of the Butchers, and Wallace was butchered as part