A rare chance to have a guided tour of the tower’s interior: from Pictish logboats to 17th century snipers and secret masons’ marks!
A rare chance to have a guided tour of the tower’s interior: from Pictish logboats to 17th century snipers and secret masons’ marks!
Booking essential and places are limited. Places must be booked before 5pm on Wednesday 11th September. To book your place please email doorsopendays@stirling.gov.uk or call 01786 233 670 (Mon-Weds). Good walking boots are essential and rainwear is an advisable option. Very limited access only - due to rough and undulating ground
]]>The singing group, The Gargoyles
of Gargunnock, will provide
at various times a selection
of medieval and renaissance
songs in the style of wandering
minstrels.
There will be displays from
Stirling Council Archives
and Stirling Civic Trust with
representatives from both of
these organisations on hand
for most of the weekend to
answer your questions. Cowane’s
Hospital will also have a display
explaining about the ongoing
refurbishment works there.
Disabled access.
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This Category A Listed hospital building at the Top of the Town was designed by John Mylne in 1639 and founded by John Cowane for poor members of the local Merchant Guild. Originally two storeys inside it was altered in 1852 to form a guildhall with balcony, gallery and elongated windows in the main hall. The Top of the Town graveyards are full of interesting headstones and sculptures and very characterful, definitely worth visiting when you’re at the Cowane’s Hospital and the Holy Rude.
Disabled access to ground floor
The Engine Shed is a vital learning and visitor resource to help encourage a greater understanding of traditional building materials & skills, which are in short supply, and to inspire future generations to continue to care for the finite and unique resource that is Scotland’s built heritage.
Come and take a free guided tour of Scotland’s dedicated building conservation centre, learn about our building including how it was constructed by using traditional materials in a contemporary way and how many other traditional materials have been able to be recycled or restored during the restoration.
Booking essential Tours are by arrangement only, to book your place please go to https://www.engineshed. scot/whats-on/
Disabled access - There are two accessible parking bays for blue badge holders located on the street at the front of the building adjacent to the spikey bridge stairs.
Doors Open
]]>Converted by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson in 1921 to commemorate the fallen of World War 1, the building and it's interior are in near original condition. There are many original fittings and it is noted particularly for the high-quality stained glass windows and range of military memorials, including the carved war memorial in the Memorial Chapel.
]]>Open 2018 and:
• take a handset tour of the Design & Technology Suite, tour duration approx. 30 mins. Please visit the reception desk on arrival for a tour handset (handsets only available in English).
• view the artwork on display within the gallery
• access the DSDC publications and information library
• take a walk in the DSDC’s dementia friendly garden and take in the breath-taking views over Airthrey Loch towards the castle
Disabled access – the building is fully accessible by wheelchair but entrance doors are not automatic opening - staff will be able to assist if required.
]]>Limited disabled access.
]]>Disabled access.
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Limited disabled access.
]]>Disabled access. Doors Open Day 2019
]]>Macrobert Arts Centre is a multi-arts venue located on the main campus of the University of Stirling, Scotland. The Arts Centre offers a varied programme of events and experiences – cinema, comedy, dance, exhibitions, family, get involved, music, opera and theatre – catering for audiences from across Stirling, the Forth Valley and beyond. It was originally opened in 1971 as Scotland's first purpose-built arts centre. The Macrobert always offers fun for all the family and is not to be missed! Find our more on the website: www.macrobertartscentre.org
Macrobert Arts Centre Box Office: 01786 466 666 or email boxoffice@macrobertartscentre.org
Disabled access
Disabled access to grounds only - there is no access to tower.
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Doors Open
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Not to be missed! St Columba’s is a prominent and building within King’s Park, dating from 1902 it is Category B Listed and surely one of the most utilised church buildings within the Stirling Council area.
Disabled access but not to tower - due to steps and ladders
Come along and see the Stirling Civic Trust Display and find out more.
Disabled access.
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Disabled access.
Doors Open
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Visit The Engine Shed - Scotland's national centre for building conservation - and see the remarkable refurbishment of this old industrial building, the latest exhibition and join some workshops. The entrance faces the town centre and is opposite the spikey bridge.
Disabled access
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800-year-old tradition of inspecting Stirling’s city boundaries
It promises to be a lively procession complete with our very own
Stirling Bellman, Pipe Bands and medieval time travellers.
The Walking of the Marches will start and finish at the Rotunda at the
bottom of King Street, with the Albert Halls, Smith Art Gallery and
Museum, Cowane’s hospital and the Holy Rude as key stopping points
along the way and will last around 90 minutes.
Limited disabled access - due to steep hills, uneven surfaces and
cobbles.
Tuesday 11th September: 6.00 – 7.00 – meeting point outside King Street entrance to Stirling Arcade
This walking tour celebrates the work of local Victorian architect, John Allan. The walk will take us through Stirling city centre and King’s Park to visit a number of John Allan’s most important buildings and discuss the work and life of this most extraordinary man who contributed so significantly to the townscape of Stirling. He left an incredible legacy of tenements, grand villas and architecturally distinctive commercial buildings. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear for the walk.
Booking required for tours. Please book your place on either/both tour with Stirling City Heritage Trust on 01786 498 462 or email lindsay@scht.org.uk
]]>with artists to place sculptures in locations throughout the
country, has two sculptures located in Bannockburn House
for Doors Open Days visitors to enjoy. The group launched the
Sculpture Adoption Scheme in 2018 and has so far placed 35
sculptures in new locations, bringing the artist and organisation
together to negotiate an adoption benefiting both parties.
For more information about the scheme contact info@
sculptureplacementgroup.org.uk
Limited disabled access.
]]>church was built to serve Dunblane, it is Category B Listed and dates
from 1843. It was designed by John Henderson, who designed over
fifty churches throughout Scotland. Still in use as an ecclesiastical
building, St Mary’s Church was consecrated by the Episcopal Bishop
of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane on 28th May 1845. Inside is the
original pipe organ. Come along and join in the activities on the day.
Disabled access.
]]>Mary’s Episcopal Primary School has
been on its present site since 1850. When
it was founded, there was no welfare
state and Churches were left to fill the educational gaps as best they
could and Henry Malcolm of St Mary’s Episcopal Church expressed a
fervent wish that the church should fund a school for poor children in
the parish. The ground was gifted by Kippendavie Estate.
During the Second World War the school building was used by the
army and the school was decanted. While not a Listed Building, the
school is in the Dunblane Conservation Area and it is historically
significant as the first self-governing primary school in Scotland. In April
2003 St. Mary’s returned to local authority control.
Tours will be given round the school.
Disabled access.
]]>Originally the royal burgh’s ‘High Gait’ the street was transformed in
the nineteenth century to be the jewel in Stirling’s commercial crown
with banks, large commercial retailers and well-known hotels. This
walk in King Street will provide an insight into the architectural legacy
of this period. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear for the walk.
Booking required for tours. Please book your place on either/both tour
with Stirling City Heritage Trust on 01786 498 462 or email lindsay@
scht.org.uk
]]>John Allan.
The walk will take us from the Stirling Smith through King’s Park to
visit a number of John Allan’s most important buildings and discuss
the work and life of this most extraordinary man who contributed so
significantly to the townscape of Stirling. The walk will then return to
Stirling city centre taking in some of the key historic buildings that
stand alongside this architect’s innovative approach. Please wear
suitable clothing and footwear for the walk.
Booking required for tours. Please book your place on either/both tour
with Stirling City Heritage Trust on 01786 498 462 or email lindsay@
scht.org.uk Disabled access.
]]>Dedicated and opened for worship on the Second Sunday in Advent in 1894.
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Dumbarton. How to get there : Strathleven Place opposite Dumbarton Central Library (near the main roundabout) and a short walk from Dumbarton Central Station. Parking is available nearby.
A magnificent aisled 8 bay Gothic style building with a lower chancel and many beautiful and interesting features. Main building by Dunn and Hansom of Newcastle, architects. Built 1900-3. Sanctuary added in 1935. The tower was designed in 1926-27 by architects Pugin & Pugin. The belfry has a large tenor bell and a carillon of 23 bells. There is an interesting practice carillon too - a keyboard which operates the bells. Excellent stained glass. A statue of St Michael by Eric Gill. White marble pieta in memorial chapel.
Mass had been celebrated in the Dumbarton area from the 1800s. By 1830 there were 500 Catholics and seeing the need for a church, St Patrick opened its doors; being the first post-Reformation Catholic church in the area. The foundation stone of the new church was laid in 1901 with the formal opening on the 22 March 1903. The foundation stone of the tower was laid on 27June 1926 by the Archbishop Mackintosh. The new marble side altars, the pulpit the altar rails, the organ, the mortuary chapel, the tower and its carillon of 23 bells had all been completed by the end of 1927 and with the erection of the Pieta on the marble altar in the basement of the tower the two years' work was brought to a successful termination.
More can be found here : http://www.stpatricksdumbarton.org.uk/history.html
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Farming communities and villages such as Faifley, Hardgate and Duntocher had begun to develop along the line of the Roman Wall.
The Forth and Clyde Canal was opened in 1790 and at that time the only structures between the canal and the river were the Barns O'Clyde farm buildings.
Clydebank began as a town when J&G Thomson opened their shipyard in 1871 on the site of the West Barns O'Clyde farm. Clydebank grew rapidly when the Singer Company began construction of Europe's largest sewing machine factory in 1882.
Clydebank became a burgh in 1886 and by 1913 the population was 43,000.
On the nights of 13 and 14 March 1941, German bombers attacked the munitions factories and shipyards (also see the Clydebank Blitz tours).
More about the history of this area can be found in the Clydebank Heritage Trail brochure which is available from local libraries or the Town Hall or online at http://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/media/2619058/clydebank.pdf
This trail covers a wide range of history of Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven. Bridges, glass production, textile industries such as Turkey Red, Robert the Bruce's retirement home and other surprises.
Local historian, David Harvie, is an authority on the textile industries that once spread right through the Vale. You will explore the remnants of what was to become commonly known as the Turkey Red, the strange and often dangerous methods, the world-wide markets and the great social changes that occurred in spite or perhaps because of it. But along the way you will find many other historic features and their stories of interest.
This trail covers that in the River Leven Heritage Trail brochure available from local libraries or online at http://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/media/2619077/vale_of_leven.pdf
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Designed by John MacLeod, architect in1887 in the Gothic style. The third church for West Bridgend United Presbyterian Church was fully restored in 1997-98. An original piece of Victorian stencil work which decorated the walls was uncovered during restoration work and is now on view. Archie Richmond of Richmond Architects, Dumbarton, oversaw the restoration work.
There are some great stained glass windows.
This is an active office building with the Leven Suite and Chamber room being used for marriages and civil partnership ceremonies.
James Thomson, architect, 1900. A good example of Scottish Baronial style municipal architecture in red Locharbriggs sandstone. Scottish Jacobean features and some extraordinary stained glass on the stairs and old council chamber. Recently restored / refurbished.
It was constructed in College Park, a piece of land presented to the town by Lord Overtoun. This was originally a park near the medieval collegiate church of St Mary, but later became the grounds of College Park House, owned and occupied by McMillan's shipbuilders. They were demolished to build the Municipal Buildings.
Besides council offices, the building was to house the council chamber and registrar's office.
Following its recent refurbishment the Municipal Buildings is now home to around 80 Council staff, including elected members and the Legal and Audit teams as well as Licensing Enquiries. The Registry Office facilities now include the Leven Suite and Chamber room.
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The grand ornate red sandstone facade hints at something special. Once inside this is confirmed. Although now the Bonhill and Alexandria St Andrew’s Royal Arch Lodge, No. 321, it was actually built as the Ewing Gilmour Institute for Working Girls in 1888.
The "renaissance" main hall has a hammer-beam roof, one of only three examples of this kind (the other two being at Stirling and Edinburgh Castles). What does the symbolism of the lion head and iron ring signify? The corridor leading up to it has round windows, hinting at a Japanese influence, that look onto the rear garden.
Details and decor give an extraordinary Arts and Crafts ambience. Poetic quotes are engraved into the sandstone lintels and the lovely (canvas) murals by Harrington-Mann who was one of The Glasgow Boys, also with quotations, depict the ideals of young women.
The library that once stocked books of instruction, now displays the pride of the Masons, also very interesting in themselves. And of course, a pub is prominent.
At the other end is the large kitchen. And below in the basement a function space. But something appears missing. Where did the girls live? After all we expect this to be a boarding school. A clue is better seen from outside. A "keep" or tower rises next to the main entrance. This is a spiral stairway to the large attic. While no longer accessible, it appears that there was a long dormitory up here.
And the reason for the Ewing Gilmour Institute for Working Girls?
Stretching out over most of the length of the Vale of Leven had been the extensive textile industry that we now now collectively as the Turkey Red. Working conditions were harsh and class differences absolute. Yet some great advances were eventually made in remedying the situation. This was one such altruistic project to raise the prospects of young women, the most discriminated against.
]]>Open to the public as a family-friendly historic visitor attraction and as a unique venue for events and functions.
PS Maid of the Loch is the last of a long line of Loch Lomond steamers that began about 1816. She was built by A. & J. Inglis of Glasgow launched on Thursday 5 March 1953. She is a "knock down" ship: that is, after assembly at the shipyard she was dismantled, and shipped to the loch by rail to Balloch where her sections were reassembled on a purpose built slipway.
Her two-cylinder compound diagonal steam engine is less advanced than had become usual on steamers such as the P.S.Waverley, but was considered suitable for the limited area of operations.
The restored A listed Balloch Steam Slipway is capable of pulling the 555 gross ton Maid of the Loch out of the loch. Well worth a visit in its own right.
Then board the paddle steamer itself. You can wander the decks and admire the great paddles. There is continuous work on the boat, but depending on what is in hand on the day, you should be able to see the great engines. Then back up for a cup of tea.
The gardens are at Robin House, very near Balloch. Robin House is the local premises of Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).
How to get there: From Stirling or Drymen Road in Balloch, go north along Mollanbowie Road. You will see Robin House ahead of you when you reach the east gate of Balloch Castle.
This is an inspiring and joyful place in the face of adversity felt by many families. You will be surprised by the architecture and the gardens. Every so often CHAS opens the gardens to the public, both to share it and give others an idea of what they offer.
https://www.chas.org.uk/how-we-help/who-you-will-meet/at-robin-house
The sweeping roofscape of this impressive modern building is by Hoskins Architects (2000). As this is a children's hospice, there is no access to within the building itself, but it can be enjoyed from its great garden. There are walks to explore and creatures to find. Definitely suitable for all the family. There is much to see in this cheerful and inventive landscape. Smaller children will love to explore it. Artwork depicting wildlife is to be found along the meandering paths.
On the 7th July 2008 the Antonine Wall was listed as an extension to the World Heritage Site The Frontiers of the Roman Empire, by UNESCO, joining Hadrian's Wall and the Limes Germanicus, the Germanic and Raetian Frontiers, in Germany. The structure was named after the Emperor Antoninus Pius (86AD-161AD) who had ordered the reconquest of southern Scotland moving the Roman Frontier north from his predecessor's frontier of Hadrian's Wall between the Solway and the Tyne.
Now predominantly suburban, what was the western end of the Antonine Wall in time became the setting for various emerging industries.
]]>This exciting structure is close to Clydebank Town Hall. It has its reception building in Garth Street adjacent to West College Scotland's Clydebank Campus and is reached via Cart Street.
Fantastic views can be had of the Clyde and over Clydebank, but the crane itself is the star attraction. You will learn about its construction and its role during the heyday of the great shipbuilding industry here. The Titan Crane is a 150-foot / 46m high cantilever crane designed to be used in the lifting of heavy equipment, such as engines and boilers, during the fitting-out of battleships and ocean liners at the John Brown and Company shipyard. It was also the world's first electrically powered cantilever crane, and the largest crane of its type at the time of its completion. It was used to construct some of the largest ships of the 20th century, including the Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Elizabeth 2. The Category A Listed structure was refurbished in 2007 as a tourist attraction and shipbuilding museum.
As this is a unique opportunity to visit for FREE, visits will be on a first-come-first-served basis through booking on the phone number provided. Once your place has been confirmed, you will need to get to the arrival reception building just beyond the college. From there you will be taken by courtesy mini-bus to the crane. A guide will be on hand to describe the crane, its use and the history.
http://www.titanclydebank.com/history.aspx
Suitable for all the family.
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Saturday the 10th September at 10:30am and 2:30pm.
Meet at the Clydebank Town Hall.
Duration 1.5 hrs. Booking required. Phone the Clydebank Library at : 0141 562 2440
This tour highlights the Blitz, but also takes in some of the history of the shipyards and even sewing machines.
Clydebank has been transformed into a very different place, but it had been a very important shipbuilding centre. And that attracted the German bombers during WWII. The Luftwaffe carried out air raids on the shipyards and town in March 1941. The town was largely destroyed and it suffered the worst destruction and civilian loss of life in all of Scotland. 528 people died, 617 people were seriously injured, and hundreds more were injured by blast debris. Out of approximately 12,000 houses, only seven remained undamaged with 4,000 completely destroyed and 4,500 severely damaged. Over 35,000 people were made homeless. Clydebank's production of ships and munitions made it a target. A total of 439 bomber dropped over 1,000 bombs. RAF fighters managed to shoot down two aircraft during the raid, but none were brought down by anti-aircraft fire.
Today Clydebank is again a thriving town albeit very different. But there are still signs of the Blitz - if you know where to look.
More about the Blitz can be found online here:
]]>A plain pedimented Georgian building designed by John Brash of Glasgow, architect, in 1811. But surprises await you. It has magnificent stained glass windows which you need to appreciate from the inside. There are several from notable artists. Look out for that by William Morris. And then enjoy the glorious light through that of the Millenium Window created by renowned glass artist John Clark.
At the rear are remnants of the graveyard. Of interest are the mausolea. That for the Napier family is from 1846, a simple rectangular-plan Gothic enclosure.
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Meet outside the Scout Hall in Ferry Road at 2:30pm. Booking is not necessary.
Duration 1.5 hrs
Old Kilpatrick's story
Come and explore fascinating local history, not all of which is readily evident, but remnants of which still survive. Dorothy Wordsworth declared this area to be superior in grandeur to the Thames in Kent. It may not be like that anymore, but it still has many points of interest. It is not just a place of legends of Romans and St Patrick. The Forth and Clyde Canal passes through linking east and west. Above it soars the Erskine Bridge linking north and south. Alongside flows the mighty Clyde which has defined its very form and history.
This trail covers features found in the Old Kilpatrick, Bowling and Milton heritage trail brochure available from local libraries or online here:
http://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/media/2619074/ok_booklet.pdf
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Founded as St John's-on-the-Hill 1897. Built in 1904. This is one of the churches that survived the Clydebank Blitz. It is described as perpendicular Gothic and with a battlemented belfry added 1933. The "Blitz Memorial Chapel" dates from 1997.
A modern and evocative triptych by local artist Tom McKendrick depicting the Blitz is on display.
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B listed, set in landscaped garden. The church is famous for its revolutionary roof design and sunken sanctuary. It features mosaics depicting the life of St Margaret, Queen of Scotland.
A modern building within the same parish as Our Holy Redeemer. Although a little difficult to find, this church is a worthwhile visit as a complete contrast to the others in this programme. Clerestory lighting is achieved through the use of space framing.
]]>See the world's first commercial ship model experiment tank in action and discover how William Denny & Brothers' innovative, experimental approach to shipbuilding made waves in the shipbuilding industry from the 1800s to 1963. This is part of the Scottish Maritime Museum.
The Denny Ship Model Experiment Tank was built in 1882. It is one of the last reminders of the shipyard of the innovative and famous Company William Denny and Brothers. The tank was built to test ship hull designs and retains many original features including a water tank as long as a football pitch. Experience the working environment of the model makers, clay moulders and carpenters in 1882. Try your hand at smoothing and carving a real wax hull model. Test different hull designs in our own mini experiment tank. Enter the world of the Victorian ship designer, in William Denny's drawing office, and find out how to design your own ship. Join us on a guided tour of the building and learn about Denny Brothers, builders of the famous Cutty Sark and inventors of the Denny helicopter, Denny hovercraft and Denny-Brown stabilisers.
See more at: http://www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk/member/denny-ship-model-experiment-tank
FREE entrance on Doors Open Day.
Cafe. Museum shop.
The premises have several steps.
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How to get there : Stirling Road from Dumbarton or Balloch turning at the roundabout near Chivas Brothers.
Strathleven House is modern serviced office and business centre in a stunning historic Palladian mansion.
The Strathleven estate, originally known as Kirkmichael, was owned in the 14th century by the Fleming family. It passed to the Semples of Fulwood in the 17th century. In 1677 it was bought by the royalist William Cochrane, 1st Earl of Dundonald (1605-1685). A tower house may have existed on the estate at this time, but in 1700 his grandson, William, built the present house which he named Levenside. His initials and coat of arms are inscribed on the stonework of the building. The architect is unrecorded. It has been suggested that William Adam, Sir William Bruce, or Alexander McGill may have been responsible. However, on stylistic grounds James Smith is considered the most likely designer. He was the most significant Scottish architect of his time and the person generally credited with introducing Palladianism into Scotland. The design of here has been compared to his houses at Newhailes near Edinburgh and Raith House in Kirkcaldy. The dovecote which stands nearby is considered to be contemporary with the house. [Wiki].
It is A-Listed and considered to be the earliest surviving example of the classic Palladian country house in Scotland.
There is reputed to be a lost tunnel below it and linking with the River Leven. Nearby is the doocot tower and the stable block (not accessible).
There will be someone on hand to show you around and to tell you the history of the building.
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For further information on Overtoun House go to www.overtounhouse.com
]]>Dedicated to St Augustine of Hippo. 1871-73. Architect : Sir Robert Rowand Anderson. A beautiful interior with some great stained glass.
Built in 1873 to the designs of architect Sir Robert Rowand Anderson in the Gothic Revival Style. The interior is said to be among Anderson's finest. Stained glass at baptismal font is by Stephen Adam with others to designs by Carl Alnquist. The organ was designed and built for the church by Smith and Brock. Some woodcarvings such as the angels on the pews are worth a look. Total restoration of building in 2003. A parsonage and hall by A. C. Denny are now demolished, but a modern timber clad building was added.
Scotland's great Art Nouveau architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh married Margaret Macdonald here in 1900.
Main public parking off Risk Street behind (you can walk through from there), or off Riverside Lane adjacent the River Leven.
]]>Clydebank's first Roman Catholic church was set up in 1889 near the foot of Kilbowie Road. In 1895 a two storey building, which served both as church and school, was erected close to the present site. That building became wholly utilised as a school when the present church was opened in 1903. It was designed by Peter Paul Pugin of Pugin and Pugin, a famous practice based in London, whose founder, A W N Pugin designed the interior of Westminster Palace. The interior is elaborate with a high altar and reredos with sculptured figures and canopied niches; stations of the Cross by Morgari of Turin; aisle arcades on octagonal columns; wooden shrine to the Madonna of Perpetual Succour brought from Rome.
It is 'B' listed.
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