A communion token is a metal token issued to members of Reformed churches in order to provide them entrance to the Lord's Supper . There were many types issued in Scotland in the 18th and 19th centuries, but they were largely superseded by communion cards.
92-507: Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum , formerly The Smith Institute, is an art and local history museum in Stirling, Scotland . The museum was founded in 1874 at the bequest of artist Thomas Stuart Smith . Thomas Stuart Smith 's uncle, Alexander Smith, supplied funding so that Smith could travel and paint in Italy starting in 1840. By the end of that decade, Smith's work was accepted by both
184-545: A company making baby carriages was set up. These prams were exported to Canada, South America, India and South Africa. The Princes Street drill hall was completed in 1908 and the Municipal Buildings , which formed the headquarters of Stirling Burgh Council for much of the 20th century, were completed in 1918. After the blockades of the World Wars there was some increase in the use of the port including
276-587: A conference centre, hotel and Vue multiplex cinema, that will ultimately expand the city centre area, linking it to the River Forth, which has been cut off from the city centre area since the construction of the A9 bypass under the railway station in the 1960s. In the service sector, financial services as well as tourism are the biggest employers. The financial services and insurance company Scottish Amicable Life Assurance , now part of Prudential , established
368-533: A dispute. In the early 19th century an "exceedingly low" cost steamboat service used to run between Stirling and Newhaven or Granton . The coming of the railways in 1848 started the decline of the river traffic, not least because the Alloa Swing Bridge downstream restricted access for shipping. The railways did provide opportunity too with one Riverside company selling their reaping machines as far afield as Syria and Australia. Similarly, in 1861,
460-418: A herbarium of the plants of Braemar for Queen Victoria. Croall is remembered for his standard four volume work British Sea Weeds: Nature Printed published in 1860 and illustrated by W. G. Johnston . Such was his passion for sea weed that he had the nickname ‘Roosty Tangle.’ Working with Stirling High School art master Leonard Baker , Croall mounted an exhibition of contemporary art in 1878. Out of this grew
552-521: A large and base at Craigforth on the outskirts of Stirling in the 1970s. In terms of tourism, the presence of such historical monuments as Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument and other nearby attractions like Blair Drummond Safari Park has bolstered Stirling's position as a significant tourist destination in Scotland. The University of Stirling and Stirling Council are two of
644-593: A lecture and concert programme. The speakers and musicians were accommodated on a platform at the back of the large gallery. It was at these concerts that the work of the young Muir Mathieson was premiered. Many of the concerts in the 1930s were organised by Adam R. Lennox , musical director of the Stirling Operatic Society and organist of Chalmers' Church . The Constitution of the Stirling Fine Art Association allowed
736-432: A matter of debate. In 1930, J. B. Johnston's Place-Names of Scotland suggested a Brittonic origin, and the name was thought likely to be Brittonic by most commentators thereafter. However, in a comprehensive survey of the evidence in 2017, Thomas Owen Clancy showed that a Brittonic etymology is unlikely, and derived the name from Gaelic srib-linn , meaning "pool in the river". A geographical survey of Britain in
828-669: A non-Scots identity was retained in Stirling for some time after inclusion into the land controlled by the King of Scots. The second motto is: It has been claimed that the "Bridge" seal was regarded as the Burgh seal proper, the "Castle" seal being simply a reverse, used when the seal was affixed by a lace to a charter. This agrees with a description in an official publication (which spells Bruti with only one letter t). Clearer images are available with different lettering. Sibbald conflated
920-585: A quarry at Dunmore. The frontage to Dumbarton Road has a tetra style (four pillared) Doric portico. The tympanum carries two relief carvings of the Stirling seal, the wolf on the left side and the Castle on the right. In the centre is a coat of arms purporting to be that of Thomas Stuart Smith , but the heraldic arrangement is unknown and has never been entered at the Court of the Lord Lyon . The inscription on
1012-489: A similar-looking battle-site called urbs Iudeu , which many scholars have assumed was the same as Bede's urbs Giudi , but this identification is uncertain. A stone cist , found in Coneypark Nursery in 1879, is Stirling's oldest catalogued artefact. Bones from the cist were radiocarbon dated and found to be over four millennia old, originating within the date range 2152 to 2021 BC. Nicknamed Torbrex Tam,
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#17327805415561104-490: A strategic military role during the 18th-century Jacobite risings . In 1715 , the Earl of Mar failed to take control of the castle. In January 1746 , the army of Bonnie Prince Charlie seized control of the town but failed to take the Castle . On their consequent retreat northwards, they blew up the church of St. Ninians where they had been storing munitions; only the tower survived and can be seen to this day. The castle and
1196-420: A tea trade with India. However, with normal shipping lanes open, the growth of the railways including The Forth Rail Bridge , left the harbour uneconomical and by the mid 20th century the port had ceased to operate. In terms of local government , the city of Stirling is a part of the wider Stirling Council area , which is based at Old Viewforth and governs on matters of local administration as set out by
1288-541: A variety of exhibitions and performances. There are many events at the Stirling Tolbooth and at The Albert Halls . Stirling has hosted the National Mòd several times: in 1909, 1961, 1971 and 1987. There are currently about 20 churches in the city. These include: Church of Scotland Roman Catholic Other churches Islam With Stirling's development as a market town and its location as
1380-517: A wall only two bricks wide but forty feet high. The main roof beams were able to support the roof and had in fact been holding the wall in place for 110 years. The entire wall had to be demolished and a new wall six bricks wide with a five-foot foundation rebuilt in its place. From 1996 to 1999, John Scott was Chair of the Friends. During this time, the Smith won one of the first Woodmansterne Awards for
1472-534: Is a city in central Scotland , 26 miles (42 km) northeast of Glasgow and 37 miles (60 km) north-west of Edinburgh . The market town , surrounded by rich farmland, grew up connecting the royal citadel , the medieval old town with its merchants and tradesmen, the Old Bridge and the port. Located on the River Forth , Stirling is the administrative centre for the Stirling council area, and
1564-527: Is a fort on Gillies Hill built by Iron Age people over 2000 years ago. Two structures are known: what is currently called Wallstale Dun on the southern end of Touchadam Craig, and Gillies Hill fort on the northwest end of the craig. The Wallstale structure is later than the Gillies Hill fort and is related in form to brochs, these appear to coincide with the Roman period and there are around 40 or so in
1656-710: Is mentioned with that city in Stirling Council's minutes of 1560. Around John Cowane 's time there is an account which states there were about 30,000 Scots families living in Poland although that was possibly an exaggeration. Trade with the Baltic also took place such as a timber trade with Norway. After the Jacobite threat had faded but before the railways were established, the Highland cattle drovers would use
1748-561: Is shown on the 1511 Stirling Jug. The area is today known as Wolfcraig. Even today the wolf appears with a goshawk on the council's coat of arms along with the recently chosen motto: "Steadfast as the Rock". Once the capital of Scotland, Stirling is visually dominated by Stirling Castle . Stirling also has a medieval parish church, the Church of the Holy Rude , where, on 29 July 1567,
1840-513: Is traditionally the county town and historic county of Stirlingshire . Proverbially it is the strategically important "Gateway to the Highlands". It has been said that "Stirling, like a huge brooch clasps Highlands and Lowlands together". Similarly "he who holds Stirling, holds Scotland" is sometimes attributed to Robert the Bruce . Stirling's key position as the lowest bridging point of
1932-599: The Gateway to the Highlands and is generally regarded as occupying a strategic position at the point where the flatter, largely undulating Scottish Lowlands meet the rugged slopes of the Highlands along the Highland Boundary Fault . The starkness of this contrast is evidenced by the many hills and mountains of the lower Highlands such as Ben Vorlich and Ben Ledi which can be seen to the northwest of
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#17327805415562024-772: The Heart of Scotland . The Stirling seal has only the second part, in a slightly different form: Apparently the Latin is not first rate having four syllables in "cruce tuti" but the meaning seems to be that the Lowland Strathclyde Britons on the southern shore and the Highland Pictish Scots on the northern shore stand protected from each other by their common Christianity. A more modern translation suggests that rather than Briton, bruit might be better read as brute, i.e. brute Scots, implying
2116-625: The House of Commons of the parliament of the United Kingdom by first past the post system. Chris Kane of the Labour Party has been the MP for Stirling and Strathallan since the 2024 general election , when the seat was first contested - prior to this, Stirling was part of the constituency of Stirling . Historical voting records can be found in online databases. Stirling is renowned as
2208-680: The Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994 . The current members of the Council were voted in 2017 for a term of office of 5 years. The May 2017 local government election resulted in the Scottish Conservative party and Scottish National Party each winning nine councillors, while the Labour Party won four seats and the Scottish Green Party won one. However, subsequently one Conservative councillor left
2300-476: The Lord’s Table were eased, allowing visitors who were members of other denominations, on profession of their faith to communicate." Many tokens have verses on them, such as "This do in remembrance of me" ( 1 Corinthians 11 :24) or "Let a man examine himself" (1 Corinthians 11:28). They were made of lead or another base metal , and came in a variety of shapes: round, oval, square or oblong. Earlier tokens had
2392-799: The Salon des Beaux Arts in Paris and the Royal Academy in London. In 1849, Alexander Smith died and eventually Smith's new inheritance enabled him to create an art collection at a studio in Fitzroy Square that included his own work. Smith decided to create an institute in Stirling to house his new collection. He drew up plans for a library, museum, and reading room. He signed the trust into existence in November 1869 along with trustees James Barty ,
2484-738: The Stirling Fine Art Association . Croall also established the Stirling Field Club whose members helped build up the collections of the Smith Institute . In the early years, the Field Club met in the Smith and the successes of the museum are recorded in the printed transactions of the society 1878-1938. When Croall died, the Trustees appointed his son-in-law James Sword , who had been working in
2576-644: The Stirling Old Bridge in 1297 and at the nearby village of Bannockburn in 1314 involving Andrew Moray and William Wallace , and Robert the Bruce respectively. After the Battle of Stirling Bridge , Moray and Wallace wrote to Hanseatic League leaders in Lübeck and Hamburg to encourage trade between Scottish and German ports. There were also several Sieges of Stirling Castle in the conflict, notably in 1304. Another important historical site in
2668-586: The Stirling Sill , a major defensive position which was at the lowest crossing point on the River Forth. Stirling stands on the Forth at the point where the river widens and becomes tidal . To the east of the city the Ochil Hills dominate the skyline with the highest peak in the range being Ben Cleuch , although Dumyat is more noticeable from Stirling. The Ochils meet the flat carse ( floodplain ) of
2760-804: The Wars of the Three Kingdoms are clearly visible on the tower and apse of the church. Economically, the city's port supported foreign trade, historically doing significant trade in the Low Countries , particularly with Bruges in Belgium and Veere in the Netherlands. In the 16th century there were so many Scots in Danzig in Prussia that they had their own church congregation and trade
2852-552: The 19th century, but R. M. Grieg wrote in 1964 that they were still used by "a few congregations in the Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia ." Communion tokens were also used in Scottish Episcopal churches. The issuing of these tokens is dependent on the practice of closed communion , in which only members of the church are allowed to participate. Raymond Mentzer says that "to avoid profanation of
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2944-461: The Auld Brig on their way to market at Falkirk or Stenhousemuir . Three times a year, tens of thousands of cattle, sheep and ponies were moved together to the trysts in the south with some drovers going as far as Carlisle or even London's Smithfield . There is a record of a four-mile long tailback (of livestock) developing from St. Ninians to Bridge of Allan after a St. Ninians tollman had
3036-474: The Back Walk is 218 feet (66 m) in length and is broken by two gables having three-light Venetian windows which are surmounted by pediments. The pediments are inscribed with bronze lettering: "Erected 1873. Trustees George Christie, Provost of Stirling, J. W. Barty Dunblane, A. W. Cox Nottingham and John Lessels Edinburgh Architect." The west side of the building has a blank wall with no windows-this being
3128-598: The Corn Exchange in 1904, this became the natural history room. The plaster ceiling (by John Craigie of Stirling who had the contract for all the Smith plasterwork) was lost in the dry rot outbreak and removed in 1974. This room, renamed the Ballengeich Room or Gallery 1 was the first area of the Smith to be refurbished (1977). The room is at present used for temporary exhibitions and the Smith Café. To
3220-493: The County Council Office, as curator. During Sword's curatorship (1885–1921), the specialist history and antiquities collections were built up through small but significant purchases and donations. Sword was a keen natural historian and sportsman with skills in taxidermy. Sword created the large collection of stuffed birds and animals and put together the collection of communion tokens . He also did much to improve
3312-528: The Eucharist, the elders in the role as moral watchdogs distributed these entry counters to those members of the faithful whom they deemed qualified by virtue of correct belief and proper conduct." The distribution of the tokens would normally be preceded by catechetical instruction . The Glens of Antrim Historical Society notes that "from the end of the nineteenth century metal tokens were gradually replaced by communion cards and rules regarding admission to
3404-505: The Gallery 3, the largest exhibition space, with museum display is a temporary measure until new storage can be found and the splendour of this huge picture gallery restored to its original purpose. The work of building the Smith was undertaken mainly by local contractors with a couple of exceptions. Sinclair of Edinburgh had the contract for the mason work and the decoration was undertaken by Bonnar and Carfrae, also of Edinburgh and one of
3496-467: The Guildry and Council. In 2014 the tradition was revived after an official abeyance of several years. There are about sixteen libraries and two mobile libraries in Stirling. The Smith Art Gallery and Museum is now free to tourists and residents alike. Shearer's 1895 Penny Guide to Stirling and Neighbourhood used to list it under "How to spend a few hours on a wet day". The Macrobert Arts Centre has
3588-572: The Provost of Stirling, and A. W. Cox , a fellow artist. Smith was prevented however from seeing his plans fulfilled as he died the next month in Avignon . When the Smith site was selected, it was not in an advantageous part of the burgh. 1,400 people signed a petition pointing this out. The building was the second to be built on the north side of the Dumbarton Road, in the King's Park, which
3680-460: The River Forth before it broadens towards the Firth of Forth made it a focal point for travel north or south. When Stirling was temporarily under Anglo-Saxon sway, according to a 9th-century legend, it was attacked by Danish invaders. The sound of a wolf roused a sentry, however, who alerted his garrison, which forced a Viking retreat. This led to the wolf being adopted as a symbol of the town as
3772-476: The River Forth to the east of the distinctive geographical feature of Abbey Craig , a crag and tail hill upon which stands the 220 ft (67 m) high National Wallace Monument . Top of the Town consists of Broad Street, Castle Wynd, Ballengeich Pass, Lower Castle Hill Road, Darnley Street, Baker Street (formerly Baxters St), St John Street and St Mary's Wynd. These streets all lead up to Stirling Castle and are
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3864-611: The Scottish Parliament (MSP) by the first past the post system of election, and the region elects seven additional members to produce a form of proportional representation. The constituency's Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) is Evelyn Tweed of the Scottish National Party (SNP). In terms of national government, the city of Stirling forms part of the county constituency of Stirling and Strathallan , electing one Member of Parliament (MP) to
3956-629: The Scottish average of 18.6%. Historical records also exist both in book form and in online databases. Walking the Marches is a custom probably started in the 12th century. The only way the town's boundaries could be protected was to walk round inspecting them annually. The walk was followed by a dinner. This was traditionally done by the Birlaw men made up from members of the Seven Trades,
4048-543: The Smith only after the Institute was opened to the public. The issue of breaching the medieval wall was one which was traditionally opposed by the people of Stirling. The autocratic way in which the site was selected and the extinction of the hope for a museum facility in the old town was deeply resented. The Smith Institute first opened to the public on 11 August 1874. It was an occasion for great celebration in Stirling:
4140-410: The Stirling Heads, alternated with casts of the Arms of Stirling, the monogram of Thomas Stuart Smith and the date of the building. The woodwork was stained to look like oak whilst the groundwork of each panel was in turquoise blue, the whole being enclosed in bands of soft red. The Library walls were in "drab Etruscan" to harmonise with the ceiling. When the Library moved to the new Carnegie building at
4232-460: The architectural interpretation of the Trust Deed of having "space on either side for contingent additions." The back or north wall has three access doors added in 1985-7 during the refurbishment of the building. The Smith had residential accommodation for the curator and this was occupied by a succession of staff until 1959. When the building was requisitioned by the army in 1914, the curator and his family remained in residence. A separate entrance to
4324-409: The area is the ruins of Cambuskenneth Abbey , the resting place of King James III of Scotland and his queen, Margaret of Denmark . The king died at the Battle of Sauchieburn by forces nominally led by his son and successor James IV . During the Wars of the Three Kingdoms , the Battle of Stirling also took place in the centre of Stirling on 12 September 1648. The fortifications continued to play
4416-554: The biggest employers in the area. Knowledge related industries, research and development as well as life sciences have clustered around the university in the Stirling University Innovation Park, close to its main campus. Mauchline ware started producing wooden snuff-boxes in 1790 in Mauchline , Ayrshire. They were produced of the wood from the trees from the Castle craig. Today they are highly collectible. Communion token Communion tokens were first suggested in 1560 by John Calvin and Pierre Viret in Geneva , and although
4508-503: The billeting of troops and other military purposes. The Smith building experienced significant damage during these periods. The damage list of 1919 included damaged front steps, broken and bent railings; choked valley gutters leading to dampness, water ingress and damage to the collections stacked high in the side rooms; broken windows, plaster, flooring, lamps, ventilation grating; eleven sheets of roof glass broken; flooring stained with oil and urine; doors and door furniture removed; damage to
4600-404: The boiler. The public were banned from coming near the building. Paintings had to be crammed into the museum spaces to leave the two large galleries free for troop accommodation. There were no washing facilities, even for the eating utensils of the troops. Food was served through hatches burst in the west wall from a field kitchen erected in the grounds. The wrought iron railings were removed from
4692-402: The church are shown on Blaeu 's map of 1654 which was derived from Pont 's earlier map. Standing near the castle, the Church of the Holy Rude is one of the town's most historically important buildings. Founded in 1129 it is the second oldest building in the city after Stirling castle. It was rebuilt in the 15th-century after Stirling suffered a catastrophic fire in 1405, and is reputed to be
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#17327805415564784-455: The city bypass to the east of Stirling. A major new regeneration project on the site of the former port area and the 40-acre (160,000 m ) former Ministry of Defence site, adjacent to Stirling Railway Station , is currently underway. Known as Forthside, it has the aim of developing a new waterfront district linked to the railway station via Forthside Bridge . The development comprises retail, residential and commercial elements, including
4876-582: The city council rejected the practice, the following year their idea was implemented in Nîmes and Le Mans . By 1586 communion tokens were in use at the Walloon church in Amsterdam . However, most were issued in Scotland, where over 5,000 types have been recorded. They were also issued in many other countries, especially Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. Tokens were also issued by Presbyterian churches in Corfu , Florence , Hartslog , Madeira , Port Louis , Bombay , Cochin , Berbice , Demerara and Kingston, Jamaica . Most tokens are from
4968-405: The city. On the other hand, the Carse of Stirling , stretching to the west and east of the city, is one of the flattest and most agriculturally productive expanses of land in the whole of Scotland. The land surrounding Stirling has been most affected by glacial erosion and deposition . The city itself has grown up around its castle which stands atop an ancient quartz-dolerite sill , known as
5060-414: The conservation of the Hugh Howard portrait of composer Arcangelo Corelli (1653–1713). Scott was also involved as part of the team constructing the William Wallace exhibition of 1997, the Victorian Stirling exhibition in 1998, and the Stirling Story exhibition in 2000. Margaret Gray's time as Chairperson was distinguished with the production and delivery of Ailie's Garden, the biodiversity and play area at
5152-420: The construction of the museum building personally. Many corners were cut in the construction, and it is evident from the idiosyncratic structure of the roof that the architect, John Lessels (1808–1883) of Edinburgh , had little direct input. Most of the building material came from the Raploch Quarry on the northern side of the Castle escarpment, now the site of the Fire Station. Additional sandstone came from
5244-399: The cooling effects of the North Sea and the Firth of Clyde . The settlement of Stirling had a population of 48,440 in 2012. According to the 2001 census, 52.7% of the population was female compared to 47.2% male. Stirling had both a smaller proportion of under 16s, at 16.7% compared to the Scottish average of 19.2%, and a smaller proportion of those of pensionable age: 17.8% – compared to
5336-420: The coves in green. The final area was the General Museum. On the east side of the building with its face to Stirling, it was lit by eight large windows and housed the museum collection. After the difficulties with the building encountered in the 1970s, this area became the storage area and is no longer accessible to the public. When the Smith first opened to the public, almost equal amounts space were devoted to
5428-458: The curator's house was created by the army through enlarging a window. This is now the staff entrance and the former domestic premises are now offices. There were five public areas to the Smith in 1874. On the left of the entrance was the Reading Room and Library. This was a substantial room measuring 50 by 28 feet (8.5 m), with an elaborate plasterwork scheme on the ceiling. The ceiling had three sections, each with 15 panels containing casts of
5520-421: The eighth-century Ecclesiastical History of the English People by Bede also mentions a place called urbs Giudi ("the town of Giudi "). Although its location is not certain, a 2023 study found that "Stirling is the location of urbs Giudi favoured by most scholars", and itself supported this identification. This name is thought etymologically to be Celtic. The ninth-century Historia Brittonum mentions
5612-439: The entablature below reads: "The Smith Institute, erected and endowed with funds bequeathed by Thomas Stuart Smith of Glassingall Perthshire." There are six steps to the front door. The wrought metal handrail by Phil Johnston of Ratho Byres Forge was added in 2000. At either side of the steps are two plinths for sculpture and there is an empty sculpture niche on the right side of the building. The frontage to Victoria Road and
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#17327805415565704-429: The favourite haunt of tourists who stop off at the Old Town Jail, Mar's Wark , Argyll's Lodging and the castle. Ballengeich Pass leads to the graveyard at Ballengeich and the Castle Wynd winds past the old graveyard. The Top of the Town from Broad Street upwards is renowned for its cobblestoned roads, and cars can be heard rattling over the cobblestones on the way down. Craft shops and tourist-focused shops are evident on
5796-403: The focus of transport and communications in the region, it has developed a substantial retail sector serving a wide range of surrounding communities as well as the city itself. Primarily centred on the city centre, there are a large number of chain stores, as well as the Thistles shopping centre . However this has been augmented by out-of-town developments such as the Springkerse Retail Park on
5888-594: The foremost in their field. John A. T. Bonnar , worked on the Smith contract and lived in Stirling . A box painted with an intricate decorative scheme that belonged to him, but was possibly executed by his older relative William Bonnar RSA (1800–1853), was presented to the Smith by his descendant, film-maker David Bonnar Thomson . 56°7′9″N 3°56′42″W / 56.11917°N 3.94500°W / 56.11917; -3.94500 Stirling Stirling ( / ˈ s t ɜːr l ɪ ŋ / ; Scots : Stirlin ; Scottish Gaelic : Sruighlea [ˈs̪t̪ɾuʝlə] )
5980-416: The front of the building to aid the war effort in the 1940s. The Smith's third curator, Joseph McNaughton served from 1921 to the derequisitioning of the Smith in 1947. With the aid of his nephew Duncan, he managed to publish a catalogue of the collections in 1934. Gallery Three in particular was used during both wars to billet troops especially when they were training on the King's Park. It must have been
6072-511: The gallery and museum. There was no provision for workshop or storage space and the anticipated expansion on the 2-acre (8,100 m) site did not happen. The pressing need for storage and workshop space has resulted in the loss of a third of the public area for that purpose and most of the fine art collection is at present confined to storage. The pressure for temporary exhibition space keeps Galleries 1 and 2 filled with constantly changing exhibitions, mainly by contemporary artists. The occupation of
6164-926: The grounds, making pavements, concrete kerbings, and bases for the iron railings. A regular feature of the Smith's programme between 1881 and 1938 was the three yearly Stirling Fine Art Association Exhibitions. There were eighteen of these exhibitions in all, usually running from January to March. Many of the best known names in the Scottish art world exhibited at the Smith, including Cadell, McTaggart, Bessie MacNicol , Robert Gemmell Hutchison and Anne Redpath . The local artistic community included William Kennedy , Joseph Denovan Adam , Nellie Harvey , D. Y. Cameron , Henry and Isobel Morley , and stained glass designer Isobel Goudie . In 1910, Stirling architects Crawford and Fraser exhibited their drawings for Henry Morley 's new house "The Gables." Other architectural plans and cartoons for stained glass windows were exhibited from time to time. The triennial exhibitions were accompanied by
6256-481: The infant James VI was anointed King of Scots by Adam Bothwell , the Bishop of Orkney , with the service concluding after a sermon by John Knox . The poet King was educated by George Buchanan and grew up in Stirling. He was later also crowned King of England and Ireland on 25 July 1603, bringing closer the countries of the United Kingdom. Modern Stirling is a centre for local government, higher education, tourism, retail, and industry. The mid-2012 census estimate for
6348-484: The man, whose bones were discovered by workmen, died while still in his twenties. Other Bronze Age finds near the city come from the area around Cambusbarron . It had been thought that the Randolphfield standing stones were more than 3000 years old but recent radiocarbon dating suggests they may date from the time of Bruce. The earliest known structures in Stirling are now destroyed but comprised two Neolithic Cursus in Bannockburn. The earliest known surviving structure
6440-424: The ministers' initials on them, and many had the name of the church. When the Free Church of Scotland was formed in 1843, many tokens were issued with that year and were used as stock tokens in many congregations. The burning bush is found on many tokens, as are objects such as a Bible , communion cup or communion table , or else Christian symbols such as the fish , lamb or cross . The Dunblane Museum has
6532-460: The only surviving church in the United Kingdom apart from Westminster Abbey to have held a coronation. On 29 July 1567 the infant son of Mary, Queen of Scots , was anointed James VI of Scotland in the church. James' bride, Anne of Denmark was crowned in the church at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh. The Holy Rude congregation still meet and some 19th century parish records survive. Musket shot marks that may come from Cromwell 's troops during
6624-628: The original plasters by Albert Hemstock Hodge (1876–1918) for the Stirling Burns Monument. The centre gallery, Gallery 2, was conceived as the watercolour gallery and was top lit. It is now used for temporary exhibitions. The large gallery, Gallery 3 ,was the gallery for the oil paintings of the foundation collection and remained so until 1970. It was also top lit. At present, it houses the Stirling Story exhibition. In 1874, both of these galleries were painted dark maroon with
6716-558: The party to sit as an Independent. The Provost of Stirling is Cllr Christine Simpson. For the purposes of the Scottish Parliament , the city of Stirling forms part of the Stirling constituency of the Scottish Parliament constituency. The Stirling Scottish Parliament (or Holyrood ) constituency created in 1999 is one of nine within the Mid Scotland and Fife electoral region. Each constituency elects one Member of
6808-553: The population of the city is 36,440; the wider Stirling council area has a population of about 93,750. One of the principal royal strongholds of the Kingdom of Scotland , Stirling was created a royal burgh by King David I in 1130. In 2002, as part of Queen Elizabeth 's Golden Jubilee , Stirling was granted city status . Stirling's name appears as Strivelin(g) in early sources, later becoming Stirveling and finally Stirling . Its meaning, and even its language of origin, are
6900-410: The practice to clean weapons and ammunition while there as live rounds of Lee–Enfield and 707 bullets had been found over the years. When Gallery 3 was about to be reconditioned, the central heating duct in the middle of the room had to be carefully searched to remove any remaining ammunition. The workmen reported having found some more ammunition as a result of this search and subsequent works. During
6992-411: The purchase of works of art to be added to the Smith collections from any surplus funds after all expenses incurred by the exhibition had been defrayed. This rarely occurred. The work of the museum was halted in 1914 with the outbreak of World War I and the requisitioning of the building for military purposes. From 1914-1921 and 1939-1948, the Smith ceased to operate as a museum and was instead used for
7084-459: The rear of the Smith in 2002. A membership drive, assisted with the first colour-printed Friends leaflet, took the membership to over 900, a significant achievement for a small museum. Moira Lawson, who became Chair in 2004 ,was heavily involved in the fundraising and project management for Ailie's Garden and the fundraising for the purchase of the Wallace painting. Smith had intended to supervise
7176-489: The responsibility of the district councils. In Stirling, the situation with the Smith was so serious, that the regional council was persuaded to enter into the partnership, providing half of the public funding package. The Joint Committee of Stirling District Council and Central Regional Council was the Smith's governing body from 1975 until the disappearance of the Regional Council in 1996. During those years, it
7268-525: The right of the entrance was the Small Museum, used for displaying the collection of original Stirling Heads and other Scottish antiquities. It was later used for ethnographical displays and in 1984 was fitted out as the Lecture Room. It is used extensively by community groups. The large stained glass window from Springbank House was resited here in 2000, together with other stained glass panels and
7360-456: The royal burgh with goods. Stirling remained the river's lowest reliable crossing point (that is, without a weather-dependent ferry or seasonal ford ) until the construction of the Alloa Swing Bridge between Throsk and Alloa in 1885. The city has two Latin mottoes, which appeared on the earliest burgh seal of which an impression of 1296 is on record. The first alludes to the story as recorded by Boece who relates that in 855 Scotland
7452-413: The shops in the town closed at noon to allow people to attend the opening. At the opening ceremony, Provost Christie refuted criticism of the location by pointing out that a "five or ten minutes walk would bring any one to the Institute from the most distant part of the Burgh" and that the site was chosen on environmental grounds, "free from the noise and bustle and free from the dirt, dust and smoke, so that
7544-513: The stone cross was a tripoint for the three kingdom's borders or marches ; the cross functioning both as a dividing territorial marker, and as a uniting witness stone like in the Bible story in Joshua 22. " Angles and Scots here demarked, By this cross kept apart. Brits and Scots armed stand near, By this cross stand safe here." This would make the cross on the centre of the first stone bridge
7636-495: The students of art, science and literature could pursue their studies there unmolested and free from annoyance." The first Smith curator was Alexander Croall (1804–1885), a native of Angus who acquired a national reputation as a natural historian and who was also the first curator of Derby City Museum before his appointment to Stirling. As a young man, Croall had trained himself in botany through his frequent field trips. In 1855, Sir William Hooker commissioned Croall to prepare
7728-438: The two mottos into a single rhyme; he gave no indication that he was aware of Boece's work. Stirling was first declared a royal burgh by King David in the 12th century, with later charters reaffirmed by subsequent monarchs. A ferry, and later bridge, on the River Forth at Stirling brought wealth and strategic influence, as did its tidal port at Riverside. Major battles during the Wars of Scottish Independence took place at
7820-516: The use of the history collections for exhibitions in various historic buildings in the upper town. At one point, the building was in such poor condition that the only viable option seemed to be demolition. In 1973, the Friends of the Smith, a body of concerned citizens, was formed to save the building and its collections. Working in partnership with the local authority, they effected a rescue package. Elsewhere in Scotland , museums and galleries were
7912-479: The way up and once at the top, panoramic views are available across Stirling and beyond. All areas Historical place names for Stirling town in 1858–61 were compiled by O.S. map makers. Like most of the United Kingdom , Stirling has an oceanic climate ( Köppen Cfb ) with mild summers and cool, wet winters. Stirling has some of the warmest summers in all of Scotland, being relatively far away from
8004-442: The wider area. South of the city, the King's Park prehistoric carvings can still be found. Its other notable geographic feature is its proximity to the lowest site of subjugation of the River Forth. Control of the bridge brought military advantage in times of unrest and excise duty, or pontage dues, in peacetime. Unsurprisingly excise men were installed in a covered booth in the centre of the bridge to collect tax from any entering
8096-753: The years of the Great Depression , the money left by Smith failed to return much in interest. The building began to develop problems, made worse by the Second World War. By the 1960s, the underfunding and lack of development was serious. In 1970, the Trustees, on the advice of the Keeper of the National Museum of Antiquities , signed over the original Stirling Heads to the Department of Ancient Monuments (now Historic Scotland ). It
8188-403: Was feared that these important early portraits were in danger because of the condition of the Smith and that they should be returned to their original home, Stirling Castle . The National Museum trustees have not elected to return the three Stirling heads in their collection to Stirling Castle . Additional proposals sought from other experts recommended the dispersal of the art collection, and
8280-657: Was invaded by two Northumbrian princes, Osbrecht and Ella . They united their forces with the Cumbrian Britons in order to defeat the Scots. Having secured Stirling castle, they built the first stone bridge over the Forth. On the top they reportedly raised a crucifix with the inscription: "Anglos, a Scotis separat, crux ista remotis; Arma hic stant Bruti; stant Scoti hac sub cruce tuti." Bellenden translated this loosely as "I am free marche , as passengers may ken, To Scottis, to Britonis, and to Inglismen." It may be
8372-477: Was the sole Regional Council in Scotland to invest money in a local museum and gallery. A major programme of refurbishment was undertaken in the mid-1980s and the collections were moved out to various stores during the contract period. Some of the cost-cutting measures undertaken by the original builders came to light. In 1984, during renovation of Gallery 2, it was discovered that the Victorian builders had built
8464-551: Was under development as an up-market residential area. The King's Park was cut off from the old town by the medieval wall. It remained unconnected until a new vehicular road was driven through at the Corn Exchange when a Carnegie Library was built in 1904. There was no direct road to the Smith. The pathway from the High School of Stirling (now the Stirling Highland Hotel) was created as a main access route to
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