Each of these buildings represents a different function and time-period, so they help tell the story of Stirling.

They remind us that before everyone had a watch, public clocks were an important resource, which is why they can be found on civic buildings.

There are many other buildings with clocks around Stirling, include:
🕑The Athenaeum, which opened in 1817 as a private library.
🕕The Municipal Buildings, which were designed by John Gaff Gillespie and opened in 1918.
🕗The 19th century Stirling High School, now a hotel, designed by James MacLaren.

The clock on the Tolbooth tower is an important feature of one of Stirling’s oldest buildings and was designed and manufactured by Duncan Kerr of Falkirk, we captured some excellent images of it recently when we conducted a drone inspection of the building.

They are now looking for feedback from anyone who engages with Scotland’s cultural heritage to support the development of the final version of the strategy.

The draft strategy and public consultation can be found here:

Find out more about the Traditional Buildings Health Check scheme and how to become a member: bit.ly/JoinTBHC

#HESSupported

Checking your roof for repair issues can be tough. We’re here to help.

Owners of pre-1919 properties in Stirling, Bridge of Allan, & Dunblane can sign up for membership of the Traditional Buildings Health Check scheme and get access to subsidised drone inspections and year-round repair advice

p.s. If you're looking for things to this weekend, Falkirk, Glasgow, West Lothian, West Fife, and East Renfrewshire are all running Doors Open Days events this weekend.

The Stirling Old Town Jail was built in 1847 after the Tolbooth, built in 1705, had become dilapidated and Frederick Hill (Scotland’s first Inspector of Prisons) condemned it as “The worst prison in Britain.” in 1842.

Find out more:

To see more images like these, we recommend treating yourself to a copy of Old Stirling by Elspeth King, which you can purchase from
@smithmuseum.bsky.social’s recently refurbished shop.

Minnie Dewar began her business around 1910-1920 and was in business at 33 The Arcade in 1914/15. We’d love to know more about her and her work.

Alexander Crowe was a professional portrait and landscape photographer based at 33 Murray Place, he began his career as a cabinetmaker, and these skills helped him to build his own cameras. He came to Stirling in 1859 and entered into partnership with William Rodger in 1872.

In the late 1890s or early 1900s, local photographer Sergeant William Mackenzie took many photographs of Stirling. We’re lucky that he enjoyed photography as a hobby! Sergeant Mackenzie’s photographs, alongside many others, are part of The Smith’s incredible photography collection.

Christian MacLagan was recognised for her work with a special honorary membership of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in Edinburgh in 1871.

Discover more about her life and work in our guest blog by independent researcher and archaeologist Morag Cross: bit.ly/SCHTblogmaclagan

#HESsupported

On the tower, an inscription and pair of scissors pays tribute to Robert Spittal and a medallion resembling the castle’s famous Stirling Heads features a portrait of the merchant John Cowane, both renowned local philanthropists.

Next time you wander past see if you spot all of these.

The façade has a number of sculptures and carvings which relate to the history of Stirling. A sculpture of Mary Queen of Scots sits above those of a cleric and a warrior, carved by sculptor A W Young. His initials, as well as the builders, William Gourlay, can also be spotted on the façade.

Built on the site of the old Corn Exchange, Stirling’s new Municipal Buildings were designed by John Gillespie, who would later become a partner in the renowned Glasgow-based architecture firm Gillespie, Kidd & Coia.