Latest news with #Stirling
The Independent
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Development on Bannockburn battlefield site refused planning permission
Scottish ministers have refused planning permission for a development on the historic Bannockburn battlefield site. Turning down plans to build a trotting track for harness racing, the Scottish Government ruled the proposals would 'introduce new development and urbanisation in one of the few remaining undeveloped parts of the battlefield'. As such it ruled the development 'would have a significant adverse effect on the character of the battlefield, its setting and sense of place'. The site is where in June 1314 Robert the Bruce and his Scottish army famously defeated English troops led by King Edward II. Stirling Council approved plans for the development in July last year, with conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland saying was 'shocked and disappointed' at the decision. The Scottish Government formally 'called in' the decision in August 2024, with ministers now overturning the council's original determination. While ministers were 'sympathetic' to points made in support of the application, their ruling stated they 'do not consider that the benefits of the proposed development would outweigh the adverse impacts on a nationally significant battlefield and its associated listed buildings'. Ministers added the part of the battlefield where the development was to be sited is 'especially sensitive and remains undeveloped' – adding this 'greatly assists an appreciation of its role in the battle'. Diarmid Hearns, acting director of conservation and policy at the National Trust for Scotland, said: 'This is very welcome news for the trust and all who care about Scotland's heritage and history.' He said the ministers' conclusions 'closely accord with our stated views that this development was simply in the wrong place and would have badly impacted upon the setting of the battlefield'. He added: 'We hope that this decision brings this matter to an end and that the developer withdraws to a new site elsewhere that will not impinge on places of historical importance.' The Scottish Government also refused a separate application for a golf driving range to be built in the area, saying: 'The proposed development does not effectively protect the cultural significance or the key landscape characteristics of the battlefield.' Ministers said these plans 'would have a significant adverse impact on the landscape features, character and setting of the battlefield and that the overall integrity and character of the battlefield area would be compromised by the proposed development'. A Scottish Government spokesperson confirmed: 'Scottish ministers have refused planning permission for a golf driving range and trotting track within the Bannockburn battlefield.'
The Courier
a day ago
- General
- The Courier
Turn back time to life on Stirling University campus in the 80s
Stirling University, with its campus lifestyle, was a centre for more than just academia for students in the 1980s. These were the days of big political debate and bigger hairstyles. The technology was just as sharp as the fashions – or so we thought at the time… We have joined forces with the university's archives team to pull together a gallery of images which capture some key moments of campus life four decades ago. Maybe you will spot yourself or someone you know in our gallery? Perhaps you remember the student newspaper? Or how the accommodation looked? Grab your bag as we head back to class in the 1980s. Students at Stirling in the 1980s had their teaching delivered in the semester system, which divided lectures and tutorials into two semesters of 15 weeks each. The 1982 university prospectus focussed on the great location and facilities on offer for students who came to study at Stirling University. The cover of the Student's Association Handbook for 1981-82 presented a different picture to the sunny University prospectus above. Its dark and gloomy cover reflected the post-punk and Goth student fashions of the time. The iconic bridge across the loch was a well-trodden path for students each day. It provided the main link between the student halls and the central university buildings including the library and Student Union. Learning to fend for yourself is part of the challenge and excitement of moving away from home to university. I wonder what was on the menu for these students? At least they didn't need to resort to that student staple, cold beans! The Stirling campus was designed as a town in miniature, with large halls built around the loch to accommodate many of the university's students. Watching TV in a student lounge was common in the days before people had TVs , PCs and laptops in their rooms. I wonder what today's students would think about the size of this screen and having to turn a knob on the TV to change channel or adjust the volume? The changes in teaching methods over time can be seen in this photograph of one of the university's language labs. In the pre-digital age, individual booths provided an effective method of listening and learning a range of languages. Do you remember using a language lab at school or university? Research looked different in the 1980s. These large microfilm readers provided access to old issues of newspapers in the University Library in the pre-digital age. Technology was also the focus of the university's 1983 annual report. The cover presented a high-tech future. The report recorded a total student population of 3,030. Today the University of Stirling has a global student population of over 17,500. Airthrey Radio was founded in 1972 to provide a soundtrack to student life on campus. The campus radio station is run by students for students it continues to broadcast today as Air3 radio. The first foray into print media was established in 1969. Brig, Stirling's student newspaper, took its name from the famous bridge over the loch and reported on all aspects of campus life. These covers from 1985 illustrate the styles and fashions of that era. The dawn of Acid House brought a smiley end to the 1980s on this cover of Brig, the student newspaper, from December 1989. It reveals a change in culture as students prepared to leave the 1980s behind. The Macrobert Arts Centre has been the cultural heart of the university since 1971. The renowned cultural hub provides a wide range of music, theatre, dance and cinema events. In the 1980s the Macrobert box office was accessed directly down stairs from the central area outside the university library. In 1981 planned government cuts to the university sector triggered protests at campuses across the country including this meeting held in Queens Court at the centre of the Stirling campus. Another image of the 1981 anti-cuts demo showing the then student union president Jack McConnell addressing the crowd. Jack McConnell was First Minister of Scotland from 2001-2007 and is now Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale and the current Chancellor of the University of Stirling. It is the final image in our gallery. Did you attend the University of Stirling in the 1980s? Did you recognise anyone you know? Please share your reminisces in the comments section below.
The Courier
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Courier
5 of the most popular TikTok stars from Stirling
Social media site TikTok has more than one million users across the world creating content. This has given people the opportunity to gain a following for a variety of topics, from cooking to comedy. And Stirling has produced its fair share of social media sensations. Here are five of the biggest TikTok stars from Stirling and Stirlingshire. Stirling tailor Jonathan Farley has gained millions of views from teaching viewers how to tie a tie. He's shown thousands the Eldredge Knot, which is considered the world's most complicated, and invented his own, such as the Double Stirling. Based in Bannockburn at his studio Perfectly Tailored, day-to-day he helps people find the perfect suit. Jonathan has 244,000 followers on TikTok and more than two million likes. Fraser Reynolds is passionate about showing people how to make healthy meals. The former Bannockburn High PE teacher has almost 400K followers on both TikTok and Instagram. Fraser runs In vs Out Nutrition, which aims to change the way people think about dieting food. He's also published two books – Tasty High Protein and Speedy High Protein. Laura Anderson, who grew up in Cambusbarron, rose to fame when she was crowned runner-up on the fourth series of Love Island. She's also featured on Celebrity Karaoke Club and reality show Celebs Go Dating. However, the TV personality has also had millions of views on her TikTok page. Laura posts relatable content about being a mum, as well as fashion and makeup videos. Livi Purcell is best known for her vlogs showing her life in Glasgow running her very own fashion brand Delulu Since 1999. The social media star, who appeared on The Agency: Unfiltered series three, is originally from Port of Menteith. @livipurcelll has gained almost two million likes on her TikTok videos and has 20k followers. Dunblane Dad John MacDonald has racked up more than 200,000 followers across his two TikTok accounts. The 37-year-old started out making videos about being a dad to two teenagers. But this year alone, he has gained more than 130k followers from making prank calls on his @prankster_john account. He plans to quit his job in digital marketing to pursue content creation full-time.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Stirling to London rail service to launch in 2026
A new direct daily train service between Stirling and London is set to launch in which is part of FirstGroup, will run four return services a day, with three on trains will also call at Larbert, Greenfaulds, Whifflet, Motherwell and Lockerbie en-route to Lumo brand currently runs on the East Coast Main Line between London King's Cross and Edinburgh. The new West Coast services were initially planned to start this year, but FirstGroup said they are "currently expected to commence mid-2026 following the delivery of the trains and staff training".The company said it had secured a deal with rolling stock company Eversholt Rail in relation to the planned new UK government started the process of renationalising all remaining franchised train services last month when it brought South Western Railway into public runs on a separate open access basis, meaning it sets its own fares, takes on all revenue risk and receives no taxpayer-funded are currently only two daily trains to London that stop at Stirling - the Highland Chieftain from Inverness, and the Caledonian new service will compete with Avanti West Coast and the publicly-owned ScotRail, TransPennine Express and chief executive Graham Sutherland said: "Our investment and capabilities in open access rail have delivered reliable, value-for-money services, grown rail demand and helped to spur economic growth and connect communities."We look forward to doing the same on our new services."
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
England-Scotland rail rivalry set to create cheaper travel for passengers
Lumo, an 'open-access' operator and part of FirstGroup, will introduce five daily trains each way between London Euston and Stirling starting in spring 2026. The new service will stop at 10 stations, including Larbert, Greenfaulds, and Whifflet, which have never had direct London train services. This initiative marks the first time Avanti West Coast will face open access competition, potentially lowering fares and attracting airline passengers to rail. The Office for Rail and Road approved the plan in March 2024, aiming to increase services and boost competition, offering passengers more choices in origin and price. Lumo's managing director, Martijn Gilbert, highlights the potential for significant economic opportunities and improved connectivity for previously overlooked communities along the route. Cheaper Stirling-London train tickets? Anglo-Scottish rail rivalry to start in spring 2026
