Article Source: Stirling Council
Last Updated: 26 April 2024 9:52
26th April
The colourful 30ft long illustration has been created by local artist David Galletly and will adorn one side of the square directly across from Stirling train station, one of the busiest in Scotland.
The artwork showcases some of the major moments of Stirling’s rich history over the past 900 years, from the Battle of Bannockburn to the opening of the University of Stirling, and mingles it with legends from the Stirling area such as William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, Sir Andy Murray and Billy Bremner.
David’s design was inspired by suggestions submitted by people of all ages across Stirling, and children from Riverside Primary School were among those who came along to see the artwork take pride of place in the heart of the city.
David said: “Working on the artwork for Stirling 900 has been tremendously rewarding. My intention is to capture the history of Stirling in a way that serves both as an interesting introduction to the city for visitors, and as a playful memento for those who know it well.
“I'm Stirling born-and-raised and, despite feeling like I know the city intimately, this project has allowed me to make countless new discoveries about my hometown. Distilling 900 years into a single image is an impossible task but, by putting a spotlight on a select few characters, stories and tall tales, hopefully the energy of the city is apparent for all to enjoy.”
The installation of the artwork signals the start of Stirling’s 900th anniversary celebrations, with the city conferred Royal Burgh status by King David 1 in 1124.
An exciting programme of new and scheduled events is being created to mark the milestone over the next 12 months.
Some of the events already confirmed include a special edition of the Walking of the Marches, Stirling Summer Sessions, a Stirling 900 art exhibition, a symphonic laser spectacular at the Church of the Holy Rude and events at the National Wallace Monument.
Stirling’s young people will also have the opportunity to get involved in the celebrations with a range of activities planned in schools.
Stirling 900 will officially kick-off today (April 26) with a series of exciting events in the city. The festivities will get underway at 9am with a ceremonial opening of the gates at Stirling Castle involving the current Earl of Mar, James Erskine, and Stirling Provost, Elaine Watterson.
At 10am, the bells of the Church of the Holy Rude will ring for an hour, before a bookable community event with a wide range of activities takes place the Smith Museum between 1.30pm and 3.30pm. The museum will also host a private civic reception at 5pm, with the National Wallace Monument being lit up in the evening.
People will also be welcome to come along and view the new artwork in Station Square throughout the day.
Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Chris Kane said: “David has created a vibrant piece of artwork that weaves together the story of Stirling’s history and its people over the past 900 years in a truly innovative way. It will create a fantastic first impression for visitors arriving in the city.
“This amazing artwork is a fitting way to start Stirling’s 900th anniversary and we have an exciting programme of events planned to mark the next 12 months, from international stars in concert to plays, exhibitions and a wide range of special events.
“Stirling 900 is a celebration of our past but it will also be an opportunity to look to the future, and the recent announcement about Stirling Studios show our ambition to usher in a new transformational chapter in Stirling’s story.”
Ayyub Rehman and Eilidh Patrick, P7 pupils at Riverside PS, said: “We are really impressed with the finished result, it will look brilliant to anyone visiting the area.
“We suggested that this should be creative and we think that our voice is reflected in this design. We love it!”
The artwork project was funded by the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme, as well as Scene Stirling, Stirling’s Place Partnership which is funded through Creative Scotland and managed by Artlink Central.
Stirling 900
A steering group that includes organisations, businesses and individuals from across Stirling has been formed to oversee and deliver the events programme for Stirling 900.
The group membership includes: Stirling Council, The University of Stirling, Stirling Voluntary Enterprise, Go Forth – Stirling BID, Scene Stirling (representing a range of cultural organisations), Stirling City Heritage Trust, Historic Environment Scotland, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum, Stirling District Tourism, Festival and Events Forum, and The Marches.
Historical background
Is thought that the original creation of the burgh by David I was given as a verbal instruction so no written record exists. The earliest charter is held by Stirling Council archives issued by David II in 1360 that confirmed an earlier charter of King Alexander II given on 18 August 1226.
Burgh status elevated an existing settlement into something more distinctive. The king granted his burgesses or freemen privileges. These included: holding their land and property directly from him, having the right to elect a council, holding their own court, levying local taxes and holding markets.
Officially, the celebration will take place between April 2024 and April 2025, to coincide with the coronation of King David.
For more information on Stirling 900 and the list of events, which will be added to throughout the next 12 month, visit: www.yourstirling.com/whats-on/stirling-900
Picture credit: Mark Ferguson/Stirling Council
The young women of Wallace High School will have the support of an old hand when they attempt to make history next week at Hampden Park.
READ MOREThe Go Forth Stirling team are spearheading a drive to clean up the city’s streets and improve the environment with a series of litter-picking sessions. The first one is Saturday 11th May.
READ MORETop Dogs is back! Dog lovers invited to come and have a fun day out with their four-legged family members.
READ MORESterling Home and Woody want to bring people together at the Tillicoultry store on Thursday 9th May to celebrate the new Woody pizza oven launching across all stores and online.
READ MOREBritain's biggest independent craft brewer, BrewDog is giving beer lovers a chance to 'Drink Beer, Win Cash' with the return of its Cash Cans scavenger hunt this Spring.
READ MOREEuropean Ryder Cup stars Ludvig Åberg, Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland are set to reunite at the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open.
READ MOREStirling’s 900th anniversary celebrations got underway in style in the spring sunshine last Friday (26 April) as partners came together to launch an exciting year-long programme of events.
READ MOREEnvironmental charity FEL Scotland is celebrating five years of its school-based active travel hubs, marking a significant milestone for the innovative education programme.
READ MOREEnvironmental charity FEL Scotland is leading the charge against climate change with the launch of Forth Valley & the National Park Climate Action Hub.
READ MOREThe Thomas Graham Library in Strathblane, which opened last year, is to have its first Art Exhibition on 11th and 12th May.
READ MOREDementia specialist nursing charity, Dementia UK, is running its 14th annual 'Time for a Cuppa Fundraiser' to raise vital funds for the leading cause of death in the UK.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting children aged four to 10 to a free workshop in May to learn more about trees and how to protect them.
READ MOREIt's just days until the opening of the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, which is back SEC, Glasgow on 11-12 May 2024.
READ MOREGlasgow to Loch Lomond was a sea of tartan today as the world's biggest ever Kiltwalk took place, with fundraising already exceeding £2.5m.
READ MOREA brand new artwork that celebrates Stirling’s people and its history will be officially unveiled in the city centre today for the launch of Stirling’s 900th anniversary celebrations.
READ MOREA spectacular multimedia show celebrating Vincent van Gogh's life and stunning artworks is coming to Glasgow this summer!
READ MORENational Theatre of Scotland launches a new interactive map for Scotland to demonstrate its love for the Big Yin, inviting people to share their own Billy Connolly memories.
READ MORETouring Scotland from June, the cast is announced for Hen Night Horror, an original musical comedy that promises to put the willies right up ye!
READ MOREAldi Scotland's popular 'Best Home Bar' competition has returned for another year, with a year's supply of beer up for grabs!
READ MOREPaisley Food and Drink Festival returns to the town this weekend for a two-day feastival with plenty for everyone to sample and enjoy.
READ MOREWith a staggering 14 million adults in the UK unable to swim, the team behind The Learn to Swim National Framework has launched a new campaign to encourage adults in Scotland to learn the life skill.
READ MOREStirling Highland Games and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum Forge Historic Partnership to Commemorate Stirling's 900th Anniversary.
READ MOREStirling’s Remembering Together project is set to host a celebration of community, creativity and the changing seasons on Thursday 2nd May in the heart of Cornton.
READ MORENow in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MOREStirling Council is thrilled to announce the creation of Stirling Studios, which will be among the biggest film studio campuses in Scotland.
READ MOREFamilies have been following a fascinating trail featuring life-size brick models of sea creatures around Stirling at the BRICKLIVE Ocean tour which runs until Sunday April 21st.
READ MORELatest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MOREThe Stirling Highland Games Committee is thrilled to announce that former Scotland International hooker Kevin McKenzie has been appointed as the Honorary Chieftain for the 2024 Games.
READ MORE17 year old Brodie Brown from Stirling goes head-to-head for ‘Song of the Year’ at The John Lennon Songwriter Awards despite life-long physical and mental health battles.
READ MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MORE