Batterflats and John Allan
This summer, the Stirling Smith hosts an exhibition on the architect John Allan (1847-1922) who created some of Stirling’s most striking and unusual buildings. His designs used red brick, steel and lead combined with carved creamy stonework to create distinctive tenements, shops and dwellings. His use of symbols and mottoes
Wonky Pots
No one now thinks about Stirling’s glory days as a pottery producing area, when in the 17th century, most of the earthenware for central Scotland and beyond was produced in the Throsk Pottery. The potters lived in the surrounding areas of Bandeath, Poppletrees and Cockspow, within the Barony of Cowie,
The Pilgrims at Emmaus
The story of the resurrection of Christ is often told through the incident mentioned in the Gospel of Luke, where two pilgrims, on the way to Emmaus on the evening after the tomb of Jesus is found empty, are discussing the matter. They were met by Christ in the guise
Croftamie Primary School
A little insight into the history of Croftamie Primary School is offered through the gift of the family of the late Ailsa Stirling (1927 – 2016), who was head teacher of the school, 1967 – 1992. She was very well known in the field of education, speaking of her experience
Making Music with Cactus – Song Cycle
This is one of two paintings in the Stirling Smith collections by the eminent film maker Norman McLaren (1914 – 1987). McLaren was born in the house which faces the Smith and as a film maker, was internationally known through his work for the National Film Board of Canada and
The New Face of Robert the Bruce
Yesterday was a monumental day for the Stirling Smith, when the new bronze portrait of King Robert the Bruce is unveiled by his descendant Lord Bruce. The portrait combines the research of Andrew Nelson, Professor of Anthropology of Western University, Ontario, with the work of forensic sculptor Christian Corbet, Sculptor
Nurse Jean Sloan of Stirling Royal Infirmary (Nursing)
Today we look back 30 years, to the time when nurses could be immediately identified by their uniform and badges. This photograph is one of a small collection gifted to the Stirling Smith, together with nursing badges. Nurse Sloan wears the green cap band of the State Enrolled Nurse and
Door to Carnock House
The great front door of Carnock House was donated to the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum in 1938 by the Carron Iron Company, prior to the demolition of 1940. It is built of three thicknesses of wood, strengthened with big iron studs. An unusual feature is the loophole near
Old Stirling Bridge
11th September is the 716th anniversary of William Wallace’s famous victory of the Battle of Stirling Bridge and to mark it is a painting of Old Stirling Bridge, 1915 by James Bisset Crockart (1885 – 1974). This purchase was made possible with grants from the Stirling Common Good Fund and
Chain from the Healing Pools of St Fillan
Six links of an old iron chain survive in the Stirling Smith Collections – all that is left of the chain which bound those with a mental illness at the healing pool of St.Fillan near Killin. The Irish monk St. Fillan came to Scotland in 717AD, and gave his name