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
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
St Andrew’s Day at the Smith
Wednesday, 30 November is St Andrew’s Day, and the lecture at the Stirling Smith will be given by Dennis Canavan, the man who successfully promoted the St. Andrew’s Day Public Holiday (Scotland) Act of 2007 in the Scottish Parliament, re-instating the national celebration of the day for the first time
Coal Mining Heritage
Last week, Stirling Council launched a mining heritage website , which features information held in Stirling Libraries and Archives, and the information boards from the Stirling Smith’s Polmaise exhibition of last year. The collection is always growing. A recent gift to the Smith is a rope-suspended wooden swing of the
Cliff Bank
2016 is the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design. Featured from the Stirling Smith collections today is the lovely double villa of Cliff Bank, 32 – 34 Albert Place. It was built in 1878 by architect John Allan (1846 – 1922) as his own residence. Its demure exterior hides many
The Wallace of the Sikh People
Wallace, who liberated Scotland, is the very first national liberator. Others in search of freedom who came after him have always acknowledged that. The Scottish colliers in the 18th century who were serfs, organised themselves intoSir William Wallace Lodges of Free Colliersto establish their freedom. Garibaldi in the 19th century
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