This project is searching for music with 'Stirling Connections'. The write;


>> Riverside Music Project, supported by Heritage Lottery Foundation, is
>> researching tunes (and songs) with local (Stirling) connections. Our
>> website  http://www.spanglefish.com/riversidemusicproject contains information
>> about our group and in particular 'All Our Tunes' where you can see a list of
>> tunes identified so far. We would be delighted to hear from you if you
>> know  of such tunes or can provide background information (the story behind the
>> tune) - we hope to include scores, sound files (including recordings) and
>> other information about selected tunes/composers. We would of course
>> acknowledge source/copyright and let you preview relevant material before
>> publication.

The enquiry reminds me that we did post a blog item some time ago which you can access here about a Scottish fiddle music database.

If you have input for either project you can 'comment' on the blog or email us directly and we will forward your information.

Back in November 2012 our speakers Karl Magee and Helen Beardsley  from Stirling University Archives and Special collections, mentioned their interest in Norman McLaren.

We have now had an enquiry from a researcher wishing to find out more about him, his family and local connections.



Our enquirer writs;
I am interested in the
> McLaren family of his generation and two generations before him (i.e.
> siblings, cousins, parents and aunts/uncles, grandparents). I am also
> interested in general information about the times of these generations
> (i.e. what life was like in the period McLaren was growing up in Stirling;
> events in and characteristics of the area). Anything directly related to
> Norman McLaren would of course be very useful. I am also interested
> secondarily in similar materials related to John Grierson.


If anyone has information then you can contact is directly via the website comment facility or by email to [email protected]

Sports and popular pastimes are amongst the most fascinating of historical studies. And how they have changed - the fashions and crazes - tells us a good deal.
A new 'On this Day' entry marks the opening of the Raploch Skating Pond on 9th Feb 1901 and an article on the Stirling's History Pages takes the story forward to the 1930s and the eventual demise of the outdoor pond.
There is lots of fascinating information there, gleaned from the local press and the council minutes. So, take a look.
And, if you are interested in some other sport or have anything to add, why not work up an article for either slot?

We have had an enquiry and wonder if anyone can help.

When I moved to Stirling in the early eighties, there was an hotel in operation at No.5 King Street. I had a meal there once, but I cannot recall what the hotel was called, and I wondered if someone in the Society could provide the name?

The reason I ask is that some hotels and inns used to have the cast metal 'winged wheel' emblem of the Cyclists Touring Club attached to their walls if they were 'CTC approved' establishments. No.5 King Street has one of these emblems.

Oddly, in photographs taken just a few years ago, it appears that the emblem is missing. However, when I zoom into the photos, it looks like the emblem might have been in situ, but painted over:


If so, someone, in fairly recent times, has gone to the trouble of restoring it.

There is a website which lists the remaining emblems around the UK. The listing for Stirling wrongly states that the emblem is on the 'Kingsbury Hotel', and gives its location (on a Google map) at the top of King Street. I can't find any reference to a Kingsbury Hotel in Stirling on the internet. I'd like to inform the emblem website owner of the correct location and be able to tell him the name of the defunct hotel.

Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to give.

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