Margaret Morris, 1920s and MMM dancer.
Photos by Fred Daniels. Copyright The International Association of Margaret Morris Movement.

An entrancing new photography exhibition opens this weekend at the University of Stirling to celebrate Margaret Morris Movement. One hundred years ago, Margaret Morris developed her own system of dance and movement training which she called Margaret Morris Movement (MMM). She also opened her own dance school to train dancers in MMM, which became a worldwide organisation.

While visiting France with a dance troupe in 1913 she met the Scottish artist J D Fergusson, who was studying painting in Paris. They lived together for the next 47 years encouraging each other’s creative endeavours and J D Fergusson became the Art Director of all her MMM Schools. Painting and design became an integral part of the students’ curriculum which already included acting, dance composition and improvisation, normal educational subjects and her system of Dance Notation. After J D Fergusson died in 1961 in Glasgow, Margaret Morris lived on in their flat and continued to inspire others with her creative energy.

Jane Cameron, collections curator at the University of Stirling, explained the local link: “She was known to Tom Cottrell, first Principal of Stirling University, and because of their friendship and her excitement at the founding of a new university in Scotland, she presented us with 14 of J D Fergusson’s paintings, which had been stored in their flat overlooking the River Kelvin. “These paintings were personally selected by Margaret Morris and she visited when they were delivered and hung on the walls. They are now on permanent display here in the newly ‘listed’ Pathfoot Building.”

This new exhibition to complement the Fergusson paintings has been created as the Fergusson Gallery in Perth, home to the J D Fergusson collection, has this year been given the entire Margaret Morris Archive and they are celebrating the event with an exhibition ‘Dancing as an Art - 100 years of Margaret Morris Movement’.

“Here at Stirling we are marking the event with a superb exhibition of black and white photographs of the dancers by Fred Daniels, on display in the Pathfoot Crush Hall,” Jane said. “The University of Stirling owes Margaret Morris a debt of gratitude, as staff and students continue to enjoy the work of one of the great Scottish Colourists.”

The exhibition of photographs by Fred Daniels celebrating Margaret Morris Movement is on view at the University of Stirling, Pathfoot Crush Hall, 13 February to 14 May 2010. Admission to view the exhibition, and the art collection, is free.

Dancing as an Art - 100 years of Margaret Morris Movement 1910-2010 is showing at the Fergusson Gallery, Perth, 13 February 2010 to 12 February 2011.

One of Scotland's Most magnificent Historic Properties Gears up for a Weekend of Revelry

Looking for some Spring cheer after the long winter? Then make sure you head for Stirling Castle this Easter for a great day out. The stunning stronghold is gearing up for a superb weekend of family fun and entertainment.

‘Easter Revelry’ - on Saturday 3rd April, Sunday 4th and Monday 5th – promises a packed programme of light-hearted amusement for all ages. A colourful cast of costumed characters will be performing comedy, magic, puppetry and interactive shows. And with everything included in the normal admission price to the castle, great value, as well as great fun, is guaranteed.

Historic Scotland events manager Nick Finnigan said: “We’ve got a fantastic line-up of entertainment in store at our big ‘Easter Revelry’ event at Stirling over the three days, and a really talented cast of performers.

“There will be a jester and juggler, a puppet show based on tales from Scottish history, music and dancers, and a hilarious panto-style comedy show featuring ‘Baron Hardegg’ and ‘Squire Softboiled’ - characters who were a huge hit at our previous popular Easter events.

“And as well as all of that, we’ll have a ‘World of Owls’ interactive display, offering visitors a chance to get a close look at a range of different types of owls, and watch some of these fascinating birds of prey taking part in flying displays.”

Gillian MacDonald, Stirling Castle Visitor Services and Business Development Manager said: “Our three days of excellent entertainment offer superb value for money – plus, of course a chance to explore one of Scotland’s most outstanding historic attractions, so we hope that as many families as possible will join us here at Stirling Castle this Easter.”

Stirling Folk Club meets every Monday from mid January until the first week in December. Entry is by payment on the door only, we regret that we cannot reserve tickets for our normal events. If there are any special events lined up for which tickets are available they will be highlighted on the Diary page

When Roy Orbison died in 1988, it was left to others to bring his music to the concert stage. No easy task. But Barry Steele come with very good credentials and a genuine admiration of the Big O.

When Roy Orbison died in 1988, it was left to others to bring his music to the concert stage. No easy task. But Barry Steele come with very good credentials and a genuine admiration of the Big O.

Barry Steele who portrays the Big O has toured extensively across the UK, Denmark, New Zealand, Holland, Belgium and Germany. He performed as the Big to rave reviews in the hit show “Rockin on Heavens Door,” before leaving in April 2009 to concentrate on his own show. He has been described by the stage newspaper as “Brilliant” and the Wanganui Chronicle in New Zealand stated “Barry Steele has a range to match the master.” It was during the tour of New Zealand that it became evident that the chemistry between The Big O’s music and The Beatles was electric and both Barry and The Complete Beatles are looking forward to bringing “Roy Orbison & The Beatles Live in Concert” to the UK and beyond.

The Complete Beatles are one of the UK’s Premier tributes to the Fab four, and have toured across UK, Europe and the Far East in their own show and perform regularly with Gerry and the Pacemakers in theatres across the country. Opening the show their performance is totally live - no dodgy backing tracks or gadgets, just a totally authentic sound capturing the atmosphere and excitement from those Fab early years! From the early days in the Cavern, to the record-breaking Shea Stadium Concert, they will transport any audience back to the "Swinging Sixties" - creating the ultimate feel-good factor.

Opening the second half of the show is Barry Steele, accompanied by a 5 piece band, Just imagine it is the 30th of September 1987 and Roy Orbison is in the Coconut Grove Nightclub in Los Angeles recording the sensational Black and White Night, relive this golden evening as Barry Steele effortlessly transports you back to what was arguably one of Roy Orbison’s greatest performances. With a rollicking set including Ooby Dooby, Mean Woman Blues, and Uptown, plus the soaring vocals of Barry Steele as effortlessly performs the Classics, Only the Lonely, Crying, and Blue Angel, right through to Orbison’s later hits California blue, and You Got it, and of course the Traveling Wilburys whose music also features in the show.

Both Barry and The Beatles are very excited to be performing in together and they will be delivering all the classics from both the Fab Four & The Big “O” just like in 1963 when both these legends actually toured the UK together, it was during this tour that Roy Orbison and The Beatles forged life long friendships, which lasted right through to the creation of The Travelling Wilburys.

This is a concert that is unique; this is “The concert they did give”

www.royorbisontribute.com

Tickets and information available from the Albert Halls box office.

Stirling Folk Club meets every Monday from mid January until the first week in December. Entry is by payment on the door only, we regret that we cannot reserve tickets for our normal events. If there are any special events lined up for which tickets are available they will be highlighted on the Diary page

Stirling Folk Club meets every Monday from mid January until the first week in December. Entry is by payment on the door only, we regret that we cannot reserve tickets for our normal events. If there are any special events lined up for which tickets are available they will be highlighted on the Diary page

Forth Valley Orienteers are launching their annual series of Wednesday Evening Events, kicking off at Minewoods, Bridge of Allan on 21 April. This is followed by a number of weekly orienteering events in and around the Stirling area.

Co-ordinator Alison McQuillen said that no experience is necessary in order to take part and urges competitors of all ages to come along on Wednesday evenings. She ensures that experienced club members will be on hand to give beginners some basic tuition to get started. All you need is a pair of old trainers and suitable clothing for the outdoors, leg cover is advisable.

April Dates
21 April Minewoods (Bridge of Allan)
28 April Barrwood

Stirling Folk Club meets every Monday from mid January until the first week in December. Entry is by payment on the door only, we regret that we cannot reserve tickets for our normal events. If there are any special events lined up for which tickets are available they will be highlighted on the Diary page

'Captured by the Japanese, tortured, starved, bombed and near-drowned, Alistair Urquhart should never have survived.
You are invited to this very special evening, 'a unique opportunity to hear first hand the powerful moving story from a real hero.'

The Forgotten Highlander by Alistair Urquhart

I was born in 1919, on the western fringes of Aberdeen, the ‘Silver City of the North’. Conscripted, aged 20, I left my parent’s house, my job at the warehouse and went to war. Captured in Singapore, I was sent as a POW, to work on the bridge over the River Kwai, on the Death Railway. As POWs we were moved to mainland Japan, on board the Japanese hell-ships only to be torpedoed by an American submarine. Having survived, I was then sent to Nagasaki. I am one of the few remaining surviving members of the Gordon Highlanders, who were captured in Singapore. This is my story.

‘My story may be remarkable but for over sixty years I remained silent about my sufferings at the hands of the Japanese. So many of us former prisoners of war did, and all for the same reasons. We did not wish to upset our wives and families, and ourselves, with unsettling tales of unimaginable torments. The memories that made us dread the nightmares which came with sleep were just too horrific. And on our liberation we all signed undertakings to the British government that we would not talk about the war crimes we witnessed or reveal what we saw in the atomic wasteland of Nagasaki. Now I am breaking my silence to bear witness to the systematic torture and murder of tens of thousands of allied prisoners.

We were a forgotten force in Singapore that vanished overnight into the jungles of Burma and Thailand to become a ghost army of starved slave labourers. Scandalously our sufferings, which have haunted all of us Far East prisoners of war throughout our lives, were only recognised by the British government in the year 2000, when it offered compensation of £10,000 to the remaining survivors. Unbelievably the British taxpayer had to pay out that paltry sum not the culpable Japanese government.

I hope that this book will stand as an indictment of the criminal regime that ran Japan during the war years and the failure of successive Japanese governments to face up to their crimes. But I hope too that it will be inspirational and offer hope to those who suffer adversity in their daily lives – especially in these difficult times. Life is worth living and no matter what it throws at you it is important to keep your eyes on the prize of the happiness that will come. Even when the Death Railway reduced us to little more than animals, humanity in the shape of our saintly medical officers triumphed over barbarism. Remember while it always seems darkest before the dawn, perseverance pays off and the good times will return.’
Alistair Urquhart

Alistair lives in Scotland, where he teaches computer skills to OAPs and still likes to take a turn on the dance floor.

Margaret Morris, 1920s and MMM dancer.
Photos by Fred Daniels. Copyright The International Association of Margaret Morris Movement.

An entrancing new photography exhibition opens this weekend at the University of Stirling to celebrate Margaret Morris Movement. One hundred years ago, Margaret Morris developed her own system of dance and movement training which she called Margaret Morris Movement (MMM). She also opened her own dance school to train dancers in MMM, which became a worldwide organisation.

While visiting France with a dance troupe in 1913 she met the Scottish artist J D Fergusson, who was studying painting in Paris. They lived together for the next 47 years encouraging each other’s creative endeavours and J D Fergusson became the Art Director of all her MMM Schools. Painting and design became an integral part of the students’ curriculum which already included acting, dance composition and improvisation, normal educational subjects and her system of Dance Notation. After J D Fergusson died in 1961 in Glasgow, Margaret Morris lived on in their flat and continued to inspire others with her creative energy.

Jane Cameron, collections curator at the University of Stirling, explained the local link: “She was known to Tom Cottrell, first Principal of Stirling University, and because of their friendship and her excitement at the founding of a new university in Scotland, she presented us with 14 of J D Fergusson’s paintings, which had been stored in their flat overlooking the River Kelvin. “These paintings were personally selected by Margaret Morris and she visited when they were delivered and hung on the walls. They are now on permanent display here in the newly ‘listed’ Pathfoot Building.”

This new exhibition to complement the Fergusson paintings has been created as the Fergusson Gallery in Perth, home to the J D Fergusson collection, has this year been given the entire Margaret Morris Archive and they are celebrating the event with an exhibition ‘Dancing as an Art - 100 years of Margaret Morris Movement’.

“Here at Stirling we are marking the event with a superb exhibition of black and white photographs of the dancers by Fred Daniels, on display in the Pathfoot Crush Hall,” Jane said. “The University of Stirling owes Margaret Morris a debt of gratitude, as staff and students continue to enjoy the work of one of the great Scottish Colourists.”

The exhibition of photographs by Fred Daniels celebrating Margaret Morris Movement is on view at the University of Stirling, Pathfoot Crush Hall, 13 February to 14 May 2010. Admission to view the exhibition, and the art collection, is free.

Dancing as an Art - 100 years of Margaret Morris Movement 1910-2010 is showing at the Fergusson Gallery, Perth, 13 February 2010 to 12 February 2011.

Forth Valley Orienteers annual series of Wednesday Evening Events, continues throughout May, with a number of weekly orienteering events in and around the Stirling area.

Co-ordinator Alison McQuillen said that no experience is necessary in order to take part and urges competitors of all ages to come along on Wednesday evenings. She ensures that experienced club members will be on hand to give beginners some basic tuition to get started. All you need is a pair of old trainers and suitable clothing for the outdoors, leg cover is advisable.

May Dates
12 May Touch
19 May Abbey Craig (Stirling)
26 May Plean Country Park

Stirling Folk Club meets every Monday from mid January until the first week in December. Entry is by payment on the door only, we regret that we cannot reserve tickets for our normal events. If there are any special events lined up for which tickets are available they will be highlighted on the Diary page

Stirling Hill Race Tests Skill and Courage

A Stirling hill race which started as a bet is under starters orders for the 37th year running. The scenic Dumyat Hill Race takes place next Wednesday (5 May) at the University of Stirling, attracting runners from all over Scotland. First created when a university psychologist laid a £1 bet claiming the return trip from the Gannochy Pavilion to the top of the Dumyat was impossible in less than an hour, the challenging route comprises a 390 metre climb (1,280 feet) over an 8km (five mile) distance.

A field of more than 250 runners took on the testing challenge last year, with the men's event won by Glasgow University student Matthew Gillespie in 35 minutes exactly, while former World Hill Running Champion Angela Mudge collected the women's title for the fifth year running in a time of 40m 29s. Mudge, a Stirling graduate, holds the women's record of 36m 46s set in 2007 and the men's record, posted by Stirling student Iain Donnan in the same year, stands at an incredible 32m 52s.

Regular Dumyat competitor Kerry MacPhee, a Graduate Assistant at the University, reckons it is a unique experience. She said: "It is always a lot of fun even though there are plenty of tricky bits like the very slippery slopes encountered at the foot of the hill. I actually found they were to my advantage as I am quite fearless so threw everything - including my whole body - into it. It is an extremely well organised event with prizes for a range of categories and plenty of marshals to cheer you on along the way."

University of Stirling Sports Participation Co-ordinator Gail Niven said: "The Dumyat Hill Race has always been a very popular event as it is appeals to beginners - being a short distance - and is also challenging for experienced runners." The race will also double as the Scottish Universities Hill Running Championship.

Dumyat Hill Race was created when a university psychologist, propping up the Gannochy Bar, laid a £1 bet that "no member of the University could, without mechanical assistance, do the return trip from the Gannochy Pavilion to Dumyat in less than an hour."

On Graduation Day 1972 the £1 was lost by three minutes. The first "official" race was held in 1973 and it has been held annually in May ever since. Over 200 runners are expected this year and there are entry categories to cater for all ability levels.

Stirling artist, June Carey began her art education in the 1960s at Glasgow School of Art. In 1982, she became a member of Edinburgh Printmakers and began a lifelong love affair with printmaking. June's discovery of etching brought about a turning-point in her work and career and the process of making an etching set her imagination free. Suddenly she had found her subject, and has been exhibiting her work widely throughout Britain and abroad since.

June has had seven solo exhibitions to date and has been invited to show her work in more than fifty prestigious group exhibitions at home and abroad. The latest exhibition of her work, 'ANGEL WHISPERS' will run between 24th April and 22nd May at the Mansfield Park Gallery in Glasgow.

Some of June's work is also included in an exhibition of new paintings by a selected group of Scotland's finest figurative painters at the Fotheringham Gallery in Bridge of Allan. The exhibition, 'FIGURES IN SCOTTISH ART' opens on the 8th May.

“This new body of work was inspired by my experience in Quebec during my residency at Engramme Print Studio in 2008. Being exposed to new cultures always inspires new ideas for my work. Quebec and Canada proved to be no different. In these new pieces you will see many references to religion. You will also see the presence of a mask with ridged horns, which is used as both a headpiece and an object of love, symbolic of another being. In this new work there seems to be a strong sense of love surfacing, in all the shades that love presents itself in our lives.”
June Carey 2010

'ANGEL WHISPERS' New work by June Carey
24th April to 22nd May
11am - 5pm Tuesday to Saturday.

Mansfield Park Gallery
5 Hyndland Street
Glasgow G11 5QE

telephone: 0141 342 4124
art@MansfieldParkGallery.com
www.MansfieldParkGallery.com

Stirling Folk Club meets every Monday from mid January until the first week in December. Entry is by payment on the door only, we regret that we cannot reserve tickets for our normal events. If there are any special events lined up for which tickets are available they will be highlighted on the Diary page

Stirling Folk Club meets every Monday from mid January until the first week in December. Entry is by payment on the door only, we regret that we cannot reserve tickets for our normal events. If there are any special events lined up for which tickets are available they will be highlighted on the Diary page

Heavy Load is a band from Brighton with a growing reputation, who in the last few years have played around England, in the USA, Germany and at Glastonbury. Their music and energy embodies the original ideals of punk. They are also made up of musicians with and without learning disabilities.

On their first trip north of the Border, Heavy Load will be performing gigs with local support bands and are at the Tolbooth on Friday 21 May. The Stirling gig will feature a special screening of the bands film “Heavy Load the Movie”. Their tour has been organized by dates-n-mates – a dating and friendship agency run by and for people with a learning disability that operates as a project of Glasgow based organisation, C-Change for Inclusion.

Heavy Load initiated the ‘Stay UP Late’ campaign to challenge the practice where people with learning disabilities needed to leave events early because their support workers weren’t able to work flexible shifts and needed to be home by 10p.m. The Stay Up Late campaign has spawned various events and initiatives right across the UK as far away as Australia. The message is simple - people with disabilities have the right to be supported in a way that offers them flexibility and choice.

What people say about Heavy Load:

“The most important punk band playing in the UK today” - Sunday Times Style Magazine

"A triumph of dissfuntionalness" – Wreckless Eric

READ MORE at
Whats On at Stirling Tolbooth

The Tannahill Weavers are one of Scotland's premier traditional bands. Their diverse repertoire spans the centuries with fire-driven instrumentals, topical songs, and original ballads and lullabies. Their music demonstrates to old and young alike the rich and varied musical heritage of the Celtic people. These versatile musicians have received worldwide accolades consistently over the years for their exuberant performances and outstanding recording efforts that seemingly can't get better...yet continue to do just that.

Born of a session in Paisley, Scotland and named for the town's historic weaving industry and local poet laureate Robert Tannahill, the group has made an international name for its special brand of Scottish music, blending the beauty of traditional melodies with the power of modern rhythms. Over the years the Tannies have been trailblazers for Scottish music, and their tight harmonies and powerful, inventive arrangements have won them fans from beyond the folk and Celtic music scenes. They are firmly established as one of the premier groups on the concert stage; from reflective ballads to footstomping reels and jigs, the variety and range of the material they perform is matched only by their enthusiasm and lively Celtic spirits.

Stirling Folk Club meets every Monday from mid January until the first week in December. Entry is by payment on the door only, we regret that we cannot reserve tickets for our normal events. If there are any special events lined up for which tickets are available they will be highlighted on the Diary page

Julia Donaldson unveils Artlink Central’s latest Schools Project Exhibition Julia Donaldson, author of the Gruffalo and Patron of Artlink Central, will officially launch the opening of ‘The Perfect Ten’ Exhibition 10:10,Visual artwork to promote the reduction of carbon emissions by 10 percent in 2010

This is the culmination of a project which forms part of a new initiative between Artlink Central and Stirling Council Children’s Services ‘Arts and Transition Programme’. This involved selected primary 7 pupils who, it was felt, would benefit from additional support in their transition from primary to high school, visiting their future high schools for participation in this project.

The project has focused on the theme of the promotion of the reduction of carbon emissions by 10 percent in 2010. This subject matter is relevant to the curriculum and allowed a scientific and fascinating and topical subject to approached in a fun and imaginative way that appealed to and engaged the children. During the project the children looked at the environmental issues surrounding carbon emissions and the way we can all help reduce them, with valuable additional advice and information provided by Going Carbon Neutral Stirling.

The 27th May sees Julia opening the exhibition and the coming together of all the schools and artists involved in producing the wonderful vibrant and creative artworks. It is hoped that the projects have raised the children’s and general public’s, awareness of carbon emissions and how we can all contribute to their reduction.

Where has Le Weekend gone?

Over the last 13 years Le Weekend has been championing music that some would say is marginal. Le Weekend does not believe this to be true. We see the music that has been performed over the years as vital. Vital for anyone interested in the creative and rewarding experience of exploration and eureka moment of finding something new.

Artists like Otomo Yoshihide, Peter Brotzmann, Keiji Haino, Thurston Moore, Han Bennink, Zeena Parkins, Kazuki Tomokawa, Dread Foole and Borbetomagus have all shared their astounding creative visions at Le Weekend with us and there will be a whole lot more.

Le Weekend has not ended, it has just relocated. The sunny skies of May will be replaced by the mysterious mists of October. We see this as a new beginning and hope that you will too but slowly, to let you get used to this move we thought we’d programme a one-off taster. A Le Weekend bonus prize with The Sexual Objects, Bill Wells and Aidan Moffat, Peter Parker, She'S Hit, The Room Improvisation project, le Weekend DJs.

READ MORE at
Whats On at Stirling Tolbooth

Stirling Folk Club meets every Monday from mid January until the first week in December. Entry is by payment on the door only, we regret that we cannot reserve tickets for our normal events. If there are any special events lined up for which tickets are available they will be highlighted on the Diary page

Forth Valley Orienteers annual series of Wednesday Evening Events, continues throughout June, with a number of weekly orienteering events in and around the Stirling area.

Co-ordinator Alison McQuillen said that no experience is necessary in order to take part and urges competitors of all ages to come along on Wednesday evenings. She ensures that experienced club members will be on hand to give beginners some basic tuition to get started. All you need is a pair of old trainers and suitable clothing for the outdoors, leg cover is advisable.

June Dates
2 June Queen Victoria School (Dunblane)
9 June North Third (Near Cambusbarron)
16 June Laigh Hills

A Drunk Man Looks at the Thistle

Scotland’s most inimitable contemporary musical virtuosos Red Note Ensemble are once again going on a lyrical tour of Scotland. Dedicated to developing and performing interesting and significant contemporary music, co-directors John Harris and Robert Irvine have collaborated with multi award winning Glasgow composer Bill Sweeney to create a vibrant adaptation of Hugh MacDiarmid's epic poem ‘A Drunk Man Looks at the Thistle’.

Originally written in Scots and published in 1926, it’s infamously thrawn narrator explores the state of Scotland from an emotionally and intellectually charged perspective. Its prose ranges from the comic to the serious and examines a wide range of cultural, sexual, political, scientific, existential, metaphysical and cosmic themes. Bill, with his background in the European avant-garde, and a love of traditional Scottish folk music and jazz, is perfectly placed to capture the many sides of MacDiarmid: modernist and traditionalist, nationalist and internationalist. Bill Sweeney was originally commissioned to write his version of A Drunk Man Looks a the Thistle by Glasgow’s MayFest in 1992.

Bill said: “When I was finishing this piece in 1992, there was a General Election on and given that outcome, I'm a bit nervous about this year's! Going back to the piece to prepare this edition, I was struck again just how MacDiarmid's portrayal of the Scottish psyche - should be plural and mutually contradictory, of course - is still so relevant: we achieve a parliament and revile the members we elect to it, erect a parliament building and ridicule it, complaining about the cost, and the whole tartan hoots-mon-ery self-inflicted caricature still stirs what passes for our souls! 1926 - 1992 - 2010....is there hope? MacDiarmid himself, from 'Lourd on My Hert':

Nae wonder if I think I see
A lichter shadow than the neist
I'm fain to cry: 'The dawn, the dawn!
I see it brakin' in the East.'
But ah
- It's juist mair snaw!”

As the Contemporary Ensemble-in-Residence at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music Drama in Glasgow, and an Associate Company of the Traverse Theatre, Red Note develop the work of new and established composers internationally and in Scotland, particularly at Glasgow University and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. The Ensemble’s name was dreamt up when John Harris and Robert Irvine saw how compositional software would turn unplayable or out of range notes red, rising to Bill’s challenge, they told one newspaper, "Red Note will be the group that will play the unplayable”.

John Harris said: “It’s true as professional virtuosos we love to play the difficult music that other music groups might think twice about attempting, but we also know that our first job is to entertain and give the audience a good night out! Bill’s version of A Drunk Man is perfect for us: it’s a fun, thought-provoking, musical romp for the audience - and it’s also fearsomely difficult to play. Perfect!”

They will be conducted on this tour by rising star Jessica Cottis. At only 29, she is already established as a highly sensitive and experienced professional conductor, working with superstar maestro Donald Runnicles at the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, who describes her as his "extra ears". As a recipient of numerous prizes, Jessica has given recitals across North America, Europe and Australasia, recorded for the SSLSO label and has been broadcast on ABC and BBC Radio 3.

The ensemble for this tour is made of 9 players, including a jazz clarinetist and trombonist, 4 singers, and much-loved Scottish actor Crawford Logan in the title role of the famously thrawn narrator. You can expect an evening of humour, inebriation, beauty, politically-charged comment and virtuoso musical and literary invention!

SEE Whats On at Stirling Tolbooth

All are invited to a free lunchtime concert from 12-noon on Saturday 5 June in Dunblane Cathedral. This will feature the combined forces of Dunblane Cathedral Handbell Ringers and the magnificent Flentrop Organ performed by the Cathedral's Organist Matthew Beetschen. In addition the concert will feature a guest American handbell ensemble. The 45-minute programme will showcase arrangements and original compositions for handbells and organ together. Music will include sparkling arrangements of well-known sacred and secular music, as well as original works for handbells and organ by US composers.

Handbell ringing is a highly cooperative performing art. A handbell ensemble is akin to a living piano, with each of eleven ringers taking responsibility for several notes. Treble ringers may hold as many as four bells in their hands at one time, while bass ringers use their whole bodies to move 8-pound bronze bells with rhythmic precision. Ringers combine synchronised aerobic movement with musical energy to create what might be described as a larger-than-life and highly visual musical box.

DUNBLANE CATHEDRAL HANDBELL RINGERS www.dunblanecathedral.org.uk own and perform on Scotland's largest sets of handbell instruments. Since formation in 1977 Dunblane Cathedral Handbell Ringers have made 15 television appearances, 22 radio broadcasts, travelled over 35,000 miles throughout the UK to give over 650 performances from Exeter to Inverness, won the only UK-wide competition open to all 1000 handbell groups in the UK, shared stages with 14 well-known orchestras, bands or choirs, performed in 9 different countries, produced 3 commercial recordings and been featured on those of 2 other groups, and raised many thousands of pounds for numerous charities. They have been selected to perform at national showcase concerts of the Handbell Ringers of Great Britain on 4 occasions, performed in 5 international symposia, organised 4 Scottish Festivals, hosted 25 overseas groups, organised 22 seminars, supported the formation of 75 handbell groups in Scotland, and organised 4 residential ringing weeks for ringers from around the world. Notable performance venues have included Scotland's major concert venues such as the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Edinburgh's Usher Hall, Glasgow City Hall, and Dundee's Caird Hall.

MATTHEW BEETSCHEN has been Organist and Choirmaster at Dunblane Cathedral since 1992. He was born in Kent and educated there and at Bristol University, where he was Organ Scholar. He has held various posts including that of Sub-Organist at Leeds Parish Church. A Fellow of the Royal College of Organists he has given organ recitals at venues throughout the UK and abroad. In addition to his duties at the Cathedral he is Conductor of the Rosenethe Singers and on the music staff at Morrison's Academy, Crieff. He is also Chairman of the RSCM (Royal School of Church Music) Scotland.

Saturday 5th June

Strathallan Airfield near Auchterarder

Join us for the MS Trust’s first ever group tandem skydive this June. We have 30 places available for participants to take on a tandem skydive at Strathallan Airfield, near Auchterarder, all on the same day. MS Trust staff will join you, friends and family to support you with this thrilling challenge!

Most people experience the first symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in their mid 20s, making it the biggest cause of neurological disability in young adults, affecting around 100,000 people in the UK. The Multiple Sclerosis Trust is the definitive source of health information for people living and working with MS.

Places are filling fast, so book now to avoid disappointment. Download your free information pack at www.mstrust.org.uk/jump.

Family funday and community charity music festival.
Beating The Recession Blues and Bringing Some Festival Cheer To Stirling!

Organisers are calling on the people of Stirling to bring back community spirit during the recession and come along to The Scribbler’s Picnic to enjoy Stirling’s only outdoor music funday and community charity festival.

Anyone interested in volunteering at the event, community groups or charitable organisations who would like a stall or would like to get involved with the event should contact Ted Christopher on 01786 471323.

Stirling Folk Club meets every Monday from mid January until the first week in December. Entry is by payment on the door only, we regret that we cannot reserve tickets for our normal events. If there are any special events lined up for which tickets are available they will be highlighted on the Diary page

Dunblane Cathedral Handbell Ringers present a free programme of musical performances by each of their 5 groups - 50 ringers from age 8 to adult.

Dunblane Cathedral begin a new group for children in primary 4 every year in February, and in this, their first public performance the group of 8-year-olds will mesmerise and delight with how much they have learned about music notation, rhythms and performance skills. The 9-11-year-olds will follow with lively performances of the theme tune from Hollywood blockbuster "Titanic" and "Noah and the Ark", a novel retelling of the famous story. The high school group will show off their versatility with rhythmic modern pieces by two US composers. And the two adult groups will show just how versatile and entertaining a handbell ensemble can be with a mix of well-known music and contemporary original compositions.

This is the 33rd Anniversary Annual Presentation Evening of all the handbell groups in Dunblane Cathedral. Each of the performances will be interspersed with some background information about the groups and presentations to ringers. The performances will be followed by refreshments in the hall. Admission is free though donations will be very welcome.

Handbell ringing is a highly cooperative performing art. A handbell ensemble is akin to a living piano, with each of eleven ringers taking responsibility for several notes. Treble ringers may hold as many as four bells in their hands at one time, while bass ringers use their whole bodies to move 8-pound bronze bells with rhythmic precision. Ringers combine synchronised aerobic movement with musical energy to create what might be described as a larger-than-life and highly visual musical box.

DUNBLANE CATHEDRAL HANDBELL RINGERS own and perform on Scotland's largest sets of handbell instruments. Since formation in 1977 Dunblane Cathedral Handbell Ringers have made 15 television appearances, 22 radio broadcasts, travelled over 35,000 miles throughout the UK to give over 650 performances from Exeter to Inverness, won the only UK-wide competition open to all 1000 handbell groups in the UK, shared stages with 14 well-known orchestras, bands or choirs, performed in 9 different countries, produced 3 commercial recordings and been featured on those of 2 other groups, and raised many thousands of pounds for numerous charities. They have been selected to perform at national showcase concerts of the Handbell Ringers of Great Britain on 4 occasions, performed in 5 international symposia, organised 4 Scottish Festivals, hosted 25 overseas groups, organised 20 seminars, supported the formation of 75 handbell groups in Scotland, and organised 4 residential ringing weeks for ringers from around the world. Notable performance venues have included Scotland's major concert venues such as the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Edinburgh's Usher Hall, Glasgow City Hall, and Dundee's Caird Hall.

This Saturday (June 12th) is the date for the annual Kippen Street Fayre which promises once again to provide something for everyone with a packed day of entertainment, thrills, competitions, food and the opportunity for some retail-therapy!

The Fayre will commence at 10.45am with the Fancy Dress Parade and the Crowning of the Kippen Queen. There will be a high energy dance performance from K-Factor (Kippen’s Got Talent!) winners Kippen Junior Dance Crew as well as the ever popular Pants People who this year will bring a touch of Bollywood to the Fayre. Alex Proctor, Scotland’s foremost magical entertainer, will be amazing the crowds with street magic and three magic shows. Live Music in the form of Glasgow’s stars of the future, The Partick Monkeys, and Kippen’s home-grown rock-legends Oldplay will entertain visitors throughout the day.

The Scottish Airsports Club will be putting on a spectacular microlight and light aircraft 'fly past'. There will be a Fun Dog Show (so don’t forget to bring your dog with you!), giant bouncy slide, bouncy castle, bucking broco, ball pit, carousel, pottery bus, Fire Engine, beat-the-goalie, hook-a-duck, ‘splatt-Bart’, and Wii Tennis competition. There will also be a fantastic range of food and drink available from more than 10 different specialist food & drink venues with just about every taste catered for!

Two years ago saw the village re-establish the tradition of crowning a King of Kippen and last year a Prince of Kippen was also crowned for the first time. Both the King and Prince fought off strong competition in trials of strength, courage and skill (and cracker-eating) so once again this year the village will be eagerly waiting to see who emerges as the King and Prince of Kippen.

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme (SGS), a registered charity created in 1931, raises funds for other worthy charities by facilitating the opening of large and small gardens of horticultural interest throughout Scotland to the public.

The gardens that open for SGS include Scotland's finest, are mostly privately owned and are normally inaccessible to the public at other times.

The Kilbryde Castle gardens cover some 12 acres and are situated above the Ardoch Burn and below the castle. The gardens are split into 3 parts: formal, woodland and wild. Huge drifts of snowdrops are in the wild garden, natural planting (azaleas, rhododendrons, camelias and magnolias) in the woodland garden. There are glorious spring bulbs and autumn colour.

Directions: Three miles from Dunblane and Doune, off A820 between Dunblane and Doune. On SGS days signposted from A820

Beneficiaries: Leighton Library receives 40%, the net remaining to SGS Beneficiaries.

Stirling Folk Club meets every Monday from mid January until the first week in December. Entry is by payment on the door only, we regret that we cannot reserve tickets for our normal events. If there are any special events lined up for which tickets are available they will be highlighted on the Diary page

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme (SGS), a registered charity created in 1931, raises funds for other worthy charities by facilitating the opening of large and small gardens of horticultural interest throughout Scotland to the public.

The gardens that open for SGS include Scotland's finest, are mostly privately owned and are normally inaccessible to the public at other times.

Southwood, 2 Southfield Crescent, FK8 2JQ (John & Lesley Stein) Walled garden redesigned 1987. Long herbaceous borders within beech hedges, shrubs and lavender border. Well stocked paeony bed on mound. Interesting specimen trees.

3 Southfield Crescent, FK8 2JQ (Mary McCaig) Revamped in 2003, this charming garden has an attractive variegated privet hedge in the front garden, several interesting maples, herbaceous plants and a newly planted monkey puzzle tree.The rear garden is sheltered (semi-walled), with wisteria and other shrubs, raised bed, attractive summer house and several rhododendrons and other plants in pots.

21 Snowdon Place, FK8 2JW (Pauline Leask) Traditional south facing walled garden with fine herbaceous and perennials. Trachelospurmum with buttery yellow flowers on back of house, also cornus Henry Hadden of special note and rockery.

Park Lodge, Park Terrace, FK8 (George & Anne Marquetty) A large and elegant formal garden with good herbaceous borders.

1 Abercromby Place, FK8 2QP (John & Sue Mills) Medium sized walled garden dominated by large 100 year old copper beech. Many mature bushes and 70 year old wisteria on south facing back of house. Clematis grow up various sections of the walls. The garden changes from a colourful spring garden with Azaleas and Rhododendrons with spring bulbs and bluebells into a summer garden with an herbaceous bed and a few old-fashioned climbing roses.

Maps & tickets available at all gardens

Directions: From city centre signed from Carlton Bingo at Allan Park. From south, signed from St Ninian's Road. From west and north, signed from Drummond Place and Dunbarton Road

Beneficiaries: Strathcarron Hospice receives 40%, the net remaining to SGS Beneficiaries.

Stirling Folk Club meets every Monday from mid January until the first week in December. Entry is by payment on the door only, we regret that we cannot reserve tickets for our normal events. If there are any special events lined up for which tickets are available they will be highlighted on the Diary page

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme (SGS), a registered charity created in 1931, raises funds for other worthy charities by facilitating the opening of large and small gardens of horticultural interest throughout Scotland to the public.

The gardens that open for SGS include Scotland's finest, are mostly privately owned and are normally inaccessible to the public at other times.

Description: The garden at Coldoch is sheltered by belts of mature woodland on three sides and looks South over the Carse of Stirling. There is a new parterre courtyard garden and border replacing old farm buildings and garaging that then leads directly onto a new parterre kitchen garden created using three old walls of an earlier rose garden. Otherwise the various parts of the policies which include a stream, a pond, a bog, paddocks and woodland are delineated by hedges of beech, hornbeam, privet, cotoneaster and laurel. The roads are lined with very old oaks and sycamores mixed with new trees from Eastern Europe, Central Asia and mature Cherry trees.

Directions: From the A84 Stirling to Doune road turn west on to the A873 towards Aberfoyle. Stay on this road for just under 1 mile. Turn left at the sign for Coldoch Road (B8031), and continue for just over 1/2 mile. Wrought iron gates on the left side mark the entrance to Coldoch garden.

Beneficiaries: The Sandpiper Trust receives 40%, the net remaining to SGS Beneficiaries.

Stirling Folk Club meets every Monday from mid January until the first week in December. Entry is by payment on the door only, we regret that we cannot reserve tickets for our normal events. If there are any special events lined up for which tickets are available they will be highlighted on the Diary page

Walsh Handbell Ensemble from Morris Plains, USA

"Dynamic and visually exciting music making with youthful energy!" That's a description applied to a performance by 13-strong teenage handbell group, the Walsh Handbell Ensemble from Morris Plain, New Jersey in the USA.

This group will be presenting a free concert in Dunblane Cathedral on Monday 28th June at 7.30pm. The programme will take the audience from classics such as Tchaikovsky's "Dance of the Reed Flutes" and Greig's "In The Hall Of The Mountain King" through selections from "Les Miserables" to powerful original music such as Dobrinski's "Nocturne in E minor" and the group's signature piece Allured's "Incalzando" - and much more!

Handbell ringing is a highly cooperative performing art. A handbell ensemble is akin to a living piano, with each performer taking responsibility for several notes. Treble ringers may hold as many as four bells in their hands at one time, while bass ringers use their whole bodies to move 8-pound bronze bells with rhythmic precision. Ringers combine synchronised aerobic movement with musical energy to create what might be described as a larger-than-life and highly visual musical box.

Games based class to all the music from the Hit Tv show for ages 3-8 years.

LazyTown is on a mission to move the world to be a healthier place. When we get kids moving, we get their families moving. And when families move, we are one step closer to moving the world. Move the body, move the mind, every day.

With more than 20 years of experience, Magnus Scheving aka Sportacus, the creator and star of LazyTown, has created something absolutely unique for kids between 3 and 8 years old, but can also be suitable for fans above and below that age.

The LazyTown Sports Club combines all the movement, excitement, music and action of the LazyTown TV series. Classes focus on building endurance, strength, group skills, co-ordination and more. The movement is done through games and fun, the classes are filled with the hit music from LazyTown and the trainers are specially chosen for their enthusiasm, health orientation and motivational abilities. All our staff are disclosure checked, CYQ level 2 childrens fitness, first aid trained and LazyTown trained

The circus that changed Big Top entertainment forever, explodes into 2010 with the greatest family entertainment ever assembled beyond the Great Wall of China.

Win a Family Ticket to the Chinese State Circus

Direct from China, a cast of world-class acrobats, deadly martial arts exponents from the Shaolin Temple, and artistes from the internationally acclaimed Peking Opera have been specially assembled to create a lavish and thrilling all-action show.

The Chinese State Circus tour and the world premier of its brand new show Mulan is coming to Scotland. The show will not be at the King's Park in Stirling this year but there are plenty of opportunities to see the circus at performances in Lanark, St Andrews, Dundee, Arbroath, Montrose, Elgin, Aberdeen and for two weeks at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Don't miss it.

Tickets available from Ticketmaster 0844 576 5506

READ MORE at
The Chinese State Circus - MULAN

Come and enjoy a short half hour display of Highland Dancing provided by a local dancing school and piper. This is followed by a stirring half hour performance by a local pipe band playing traditional jigs, reels and strathspeys.

Come and enjoy a short half hour display of Highland Dancing provided by a local dancing school and piper. This is followed by a stirring half hour performance by a local pipe band playing traditional jigs, reels and strathspeys.

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme (SGS), a registered charity created in 1931, raises funds for other worthy charities by facilitating the opening of large and small gardens of horticultural interest throughout Scotland to the public.

The gardens that open for SGS include Scotland's finest, are mostly privately owned and are normally inaccessible to the public at other times.

This property is at one end of a delightfully secluded recent development. The gardens are on a small scale and occupy the kind of space that lots of people have and can give ideas to visitors. No 32 has a very pretty front garden and a small rear garden, which was once a grassy slope, and is now terraced with over 100 railway sleepers. Interesting plants and shrubs.

Directions: Off Perth Road in Dunblane.

Beneficiaries: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme (SGS), a registered charity created in 1931, raises funds for other worthy charities by facilitating the opening of large and small gardens of horticultural interest throughout Scotland to the public.

The gardens that open for SGS include Scotland's finest, are mostly privately owned and are normally inaccessible to the public at other times.

Several creative and different gardens in Dunblane including St Blane's House, High Street and Glenorchard, Auchenlay Road. Maps and tickets available on day from all gardens.

Directions: Follow yellow signs on entry to Dunblane

Beneficiaries: CHAS receives 40%, the net remaining to SGS Beneficiaries.

Stirling Folk Club meets every Monday from mid January until the first week in December. Entry is by payment on the door only, we regret that we cannot reserve tickets for our normal events. If there are any special events lined up for which tickets are available they will be highlighted on the Diary page

Calling all volunteers, for a day of good, dirty fun at Plean Country Park! Come along for some fresh air and to meet new people, spend an hour or all day helping with a variety of tasks including woodland management, playing in the mud and battling vegetation.

Stirling Council Countryside Events are great ways to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out in the countryside. And all our events are FREE!

Please note for all our events including countryside action days, children are welcome but MUST be supervised by an adult at all times.

The Ranger Service provides a whole range of events for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors. They are a great way to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out and about. Children are welcome at all our events but an adult MUST supervise under 16’s at all times.

Biodiversity Action Days – This is your opportunity to get some gentle exercise outside and give something back to the environment. For these days refreshments, tools, gloves and equipment are provided but please bring your own lunch. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear stout footwear.

As part of an international conference on the work of Robert Louis Stevenson, the University of Stirling is to host an evening of music, song and recital. 'Stevenson and Song' is a concert of folk music and classical singing based on Stevenson's writings, and will take place on Friday 9 July 2010 in the Pathfoot Building, on the university campus.

The highlight of the concert is the live premiere of 'From a Garden of Songs', in which a group of Scottish songwriters have set their favourite poems from A Child’s Garden of Verses to music in the folk idiom.

Allan Smith, baritone, will perform a recital of 'Stevenson and Classical Song' that will give a flavour of Stevenson’s own taste in classical melody, and the various musical settings and styles his writing has inspired.

As well as other recitals, there is also a Stevenson-themed whisky tasting with Robin Laing. A contribution to the RLS Memorial Trust, a registered Scottish charity assisting children with respiratory disease, will be made from ticket proceeds.

For further information see: www.rls2010.stir.ac.uk/stevenson-and-song/ or email Dr Scott Hames on scott.hames@stir.ac.uk

Stirling Folk Club meets every Monday from mid January until the first week in December. Entry is by payment on the door only, we regret that we cannot reserve tickets for our normal events. If there are any special events lined up for which tickets are available they will be highlighted on the Diary page

Join us to explore the wet and watery world of pond dipping and find out about the creatures that live in ponds. Don’t forget to wear your wellies, all other equipment supplied.

Stirling Council Countryside Events are great ways to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out in the countryside. And all our events are FREE!

Please note for all our events including countryside action days, children are welcome but MUST be supervised by an adult at all times.

The Ranger Service provides a whole range of events for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors. They are a great way to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out and about. Children are welcome at all our events but an adult MUST supervise under 16’s at all times.

Zippos Circus presents "Encore!" a spectacular new circus show for 2010. Britain's best-loved travelling company brings a show full of the fire, passion, thrills and excitement of the circus to your town.

This all-new production features Norman Barrett MBE, Tom Roberts' Liberty Horses, the award-winning Konyot Clowns, High Wire walking, juggling, acrobatics and all the very latest dare-devil circus acts, including the legendary Wheel of Death.

The circus that changed Big Top entertainment forever, explodes into 2010 with the greatest family entertainment ever assembled beyond the Great Wall of China.

Win a Family Ticket to the Chinese State Circus

Direct from China, a cast of world-class acrobats, deadly martial arts exponents from the Shaolin Temple, and artistes from the internationally acclaimed Peking Opera have been specially assembled to create a lavish and thrilling all-action show.

The Chinese State Circus tour and the world premier of its brand new show Mulan is coming to Scotland. The show will not be at the King's Park in Stirling this year but there are plenty of opportunities to see the circus at performances in Lanark, St Andrews, Dundee, Arbroath, Montrose, Elgin, Aberdeen and for two weeks at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Don't miss it.

Tickets available from Ticketmaster 0844 576 5506

READ MORE at
The Chinese State Circus - MULAN

Come and enjoy a short half hour display of Highland Dancing provided by a local dancing school and piper. This is followed by a stirring half hour performance by a local pipe band playing traditional jigs, reels and strathspeys.

Come and enjoy a short half hour display of Highland Dancing provided by a local dancing school and piper. This is followed by a stirring half hour performance by a local pipe band playing traditional jigs, reels and strathspeys.

This Festival celebrates Stirling’s magnificent scenery, heritage and wildlife. Aimed at all ages and abilities everyone is invited to join in with free events taking place in some of the most picturesque parts of the Stirling Council area. More details will be available from this summer, online at www.stirling.gov.uk.

Stirling Council Countryside Events are great ways to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out in the countryside. And all our events are FREE!

Please note for all our events including countryside action days, children are welcome but MUST be supervised by an adult at all times.

The Ranger Service provides a whole range of events for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors. They are a great way to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out and about. Children are welcome at all our events but an adult MUST supervise under 16’s at all times.

Forth Valley Orienteers annual series of Wednesday Evening Events, continues throughout August, with a number of weekly orienteering events in and around the Stirling area.

Co-ordinator Alison McQuillen said that no experience is necessary in order to take part and urges competitors of all ages to come along on Wednesday evenings. She ensures that experienced club members will be on hand to give beginners some basic tuition to get started. All you need is a pair of old trainers and suitable clothing for the outdoors, leg cover is advisable.

August Dates
25 August Doune Ponds

Experience the bats and moths of the Back Walk followed by a short walk to the Stirling Observatory for an informative and fascinating introduction to the skies above, all in the company of local experts.

Stirling Council Countryside Events are great ways to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out in the countryside. And all our events are FREE!

Please note for all our events including countryside action days, children are welcome but MUST be supervised by an adult at all times.

The Ranger Service provides a whole range of events for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors. They are a great way to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out and about. Children are welcome at all our events but an adult MUST supervise under 16’s at all times.

Now that the insects have made full use of the flowers help us remove the Ragwort plants and then show some more TLC to this well-loved site.

Stirling Council Countryside Events are great ways to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out in the countryside. And all our events are FREE!

Please note for all our events including countryside action days, children are welcome but MUST be supervised by an adult at all times.

The Ranger Service provides a whole range of events for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors. They are a great way to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out and about. Children are welcome at all our events but an adult MUST supervise under 16’s at all times.

Forth Valley Orienteers annual series of Wednesday Evening Events, continues this month, with a number of weekly orienteering events in and around the Stirling area.

Co-ordinator Alison McQuillen said that no experience is necessary in order to take part and urges competitors of all ages to come along on Wednesday evenings. She ensures that experienced club members will be on hand to give beginners some basic tuition to get started. All you need is a pair of old trainers and suitable clothing for the outdoors, leg cover is advisable.

September Dates
1 September Dumyat West
8 September Kinneil
15 September Dollar Bank

Take some pride in the waters of the Bannock Burn. Help care for the wildlife, and make it nicer place for visitors by clearing the litter and debris along the Bannockburn Heritage Trail. Wellies are advised, and waders for the more adventurous!

Stirling Council Countryside Events are great ways to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out in the countryside. And all our events are FREE!

Please note for all our events including countryside action days, children are welcome but MUST be supervised by an adult at all times.

The Ranger Service provides a whole range of events for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors. They are a great way to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out and about. Children are welcome at all our events but an adult MUST supervise under 16’s at all times.

In association with the East Dunbartonshire Walking Festival, we will be co-leading a guided walk with the Mugdock Ranger Service in Stirling’s south west corner. Contact the Mugdock Ranger Service for more information on 0141 956 6586.

Stirling Council Countryside Events are great ways to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out in the countryside. And all our events are FREE!

Please note for all our events including countryside action days, children are welcome but MUST be supervised by an adult at all times.

The Ranger Service provides a whole range of events for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors. They are a great way to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out and about. Children are welcome at all our events but an adult MUST supervise under 16’s at all times.

(to be confirmed) Join the experts on our archaeological walk as part of Scottish Archaeology Month. An archaeologist will be transporting us back to the time of the Battle of Sheriffmuir as we guide you around the battlesite and the surroundings. The date and time has yet to be confirmed so call now for further information and to book your place on this exciting guided walk. Bring walking boots, lunch and weatherproof clothing.

Stirling Council Countryside Events are great ways to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out in the countryside. And all our events are FREE!

Please note for all our events including countryside action days, children are welcome but MUST be supervised by an adult at all times.

The Ranger Service provides a whole range of events for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors. They are a great way to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out and about. Children are welcome at all our events but an adult MUST supervise under 16’s at all times.

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme (SGS), a registered charity created in 1931, raises funds for other worthy charities by facilitating the opening of large and small gardens of horticultural interest throughout Scotland to the public.

The gardens that open for SGS include Scotland's finest, are mostly privately owned and are normally inaccessible to the public at other times.

Five acres of mature gardens, woodland walks, walled garden and 18th century Doocot. Snowdrops in February/March, daffodils in April/May. Glorious display of azaleas and rhododendron in May/June. Wonderful trees and shrubs, glorious autumn colour. Garden featured in articles in Scotsman and Scottish Field. Good plant sales always.

Area Plant Sale on 26 September: Large sale of species rhododendrons, azaleas, trees, shrubs, mostly from wild collected seed in India and China all grown on the Estate.

Directions: On A811 5 miles west of Stirling

Beneficiaries: Children's Hospice Association receives 20%, Gargunnock Community Centre receives 20%, the net remaining to SGS Beneficiaries.

Why are moulds and fungi so important to us a how do you tell them apart? Expert Liz Holden will be on hand to guide us through this fascinating kingdom and introduce us to some of these amazing autumnal fruits.

Stirling Council Countryside Events are great ways to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out in the countryside. And all our events are FREE!

Please note for all our events including countryside action days, children are welcome but MUST be supervised by an adult at all times.

The Ranger Service provides a whole range of events for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors. They are a great way to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out and about. Children are welcome at all our events but an adult MUST supervise under 16’s at all times.

This is your chance to give something back to the local environment by giving some time and energy to a part of Balfron in need of some TLC. This year we expect to focus on the route between Little Camoquhill and Wester Camoquhill. If you walk it, you’ll see that it needs a helping hand and there are jobs, big and small. Join us to make a difference.

Stirling Council Countryside Events are great ways to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out in the countryside. And all our events are FREE!

Please note for all our events including countryside action days, children are welcome but MUST be supervised by an adult at all times.

The Ranger Service provides a whole range of events for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors. They are a great way to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out and about. Children are welcome at all our events but an adult MUST supervise under 16’s at all times.

Biodiversity Action Days – This is your opportunity to get some gentle exercise outside and give something back to the environment. For these days refreshments, tools, gloves and equipment are provided but please bring your own lunch. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear stout footwear.

Calling all volunteers; come to our Action Day and feel the benefit of fresh air, exercise, socialising, a cuppa and a biscuit (or two). Join us as we work on a path in your village; probably focussing on the neglected Buchlyive to Arnprior route. This could become an annual event, but we need you to make it a success. All sorts of jobs for all sorts of people. Phone us to find out more and to book a place.

Stirling Council Countryside Events are great ways to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out in the countryside. And all our events are FREE!

Please note for all our events including countryside action days, children are welcome but MUST be supervised by an adult at all times.

The Ranger Service provides a whole range of events for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors. They are a great way to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out and about. Children are welcome at all our events but an adult MUST supervise under 16’s at all times.

Biodiversity Action Days – This is your opportunity to get some gentle exercise outside and give something back to the environment. For these days refreshments, tools, gloves and equipment are provided but please bring your own lunch. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear stout footwear.

Join the Rangers to do some work on the woods that create a beautiful green back-drop to this special spa town.

Stirling Council Countryside Events are great ways to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out in the countryside. And all our events are FREE!

Please note for all our events including countryside action days, children are welcome but MUST be supervised by an adult at all times.

The Ranger Service provides a whole range of events for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors. They are a great way to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out and about. Children are welcome at all our events but an adult MUST supervise under 16’s at all times.

Come along to learn how to help our feathered friends through the cold winter months. Make your own bird box and bird feeders. All equipment provided.

Stirling Council Countryside Events are great ways to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out in the countryside. And all our events are FREE!

Please note for all our events including countryside action days, children are welcome but MUST be supervised by an adult at all times.

The Ranger Service provides a whole range of events for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors. They are a great way to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out and about. Children are welcome at all our events but an adult MUST supervise under 16’s at all times.

It’s always a challenge keeping the Back Walk and Gowanhill free of litter. Come along and lend a helping hand to remove litter from the paths, woodlands and grasslands below the castle.

Stirling Council Countryside Events are great ways to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out in the countryside. And all our events are FREE!

Please note for all our events including countryside action days, children are welcome but MUST be supervised by an adult at all times.

The Ranger Service provides a whole range of events for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors. They are a great way to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out and about. Children are welcome at all our events but an adult MUST supervise under 16’s at all times.