Cowane’s Hospital
Here is an image of how Cowane’s Hospital should look – pristine, white and cared for, as shown in this model from the Stirling Smith collections, made by Aberdeen man George W Reid. As most people know, Cowane’s has long awaited refurbishment and improvements. The Heritage Lottery upgrade will soon
Stirling’s Museum
This engraving of the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum in August 1874 was published in The Graphic Magazine, gifted to the Smith by Jim Thomson. The Stirling Smith has served Stirling as a museum, gallery and cultural venue for 142 years. It was therefore quite a surprise to see
Surviving the Cold War – Protect and Survive
As part of my Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, I am volunteering the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum. I am sorting through some old boxes and found a box full of old Cold War documents and books. Inside are items, such as little booklets. ‘Protect and Survive’ is a booklet
Wallace Monument
This month, the Wallace Monument curators themselves are having a good blow, as it is 155 years since the foundation stone was laid on 24 June 1861. This was one of the biggest public events in 19th century Scotland, and it is unlikely that Stirling will ever again see this
Billy Bremner
Shown here is Bremner’s Testimonial Programme for the match played in Stirling at Annfield on 30 October 1973. The programme was gifted to the Smith by Albion fan Jim Thomson, and before now, there has been nothing in the Smith collection to represent this great footballing hero. It is part
The Windsor of the North
‘The Windsor of the North’ provides a reminder of how much the promotional and destination marketing Stirling has moved on since the 1930s. This is from the cover of a brochure discovered in the Oxfam Bookshop by Friend of the Smith Frances Chatfield last week. The booklet was produced by
Stirling Photographers
Stirling Photographers Today’s story centres on a photograph of the road which is now Ochil View in Menstrie. It is one of about 450 plate glass negatives, which came without any information from the estate of the late Henry Robb (1933 – 2016). Fortunately, the donation coincided with the internship
Stirling Bowling Club
Established in 1858, Stirling Bowling Club is one of Stirling’s oldest sporting organisations. The Green was the first site to be developed on the north side of Dumbarton Road. Stirling architect William Simpson (1809 – 1890) designed the Club House, which was built in attractive coloured brick and opened in
The Links of Forth
With the tourist season here, it’s worth taking a look at what attracted visitors to Stirling in the past. This postcard dates to 1910, features tartan and Scottish harebells and celebrates the Links of Forth. The view of the winding river from the Castle craig or the Abbey craig is
Mr and Mrs Jaffray
Agnes Wilson and her husband John Jaffray (died 1836) were well–known Stirling people. John was a weaver and spirit dealer who married Agnes in 1808. He was the son of the famous William “Citizen” Jaffray (1749 – 1828), supporter of the French Revolution who made it his mission to vaccinate