💬 Residents, cultural organisations and freelancers, are being encouraged to share their views in a new survey to help sustain the momentum behind Stirling's ambitious cultural strategy. The strategy, which was approved in 2023 and runs until 2028, aims to position Stirling, from the city centre to its rural communities, as a vibrant, dynamic and creative place to be. The strategy is focused on the delivery of the following six catalysts: 👉 Culture Night – showcasing Stirling's cultural strengths 👉 Volunteering – building capacity and connecting communities to cultural projects 👉 Social Prescribing – connecting culture with health and wellbeing 👉 Skills and Workforce – strengthening our creative workforce 👉 Film and Screen – establishing Stirling as a key Scottish film hub 👉 Cultural Rucksack – ensuring equitable cultural access for all. Some of the projects that have been rolled out to date include: The first-ever Culture Night Stirling which saw visitors and locals flock to over 40 free events taking place across multiple venues in the city and the surrounding areas on 1 May 2026. Culture Night Stirling will return on 30 April 2027 with the ‘Forest of the Unicorn’ theme. Artspace, a non-statutory mental health service commissioned by Stirling Council, offering 10-week blocks of arts activity for adults. The programme supports people to build confidence, social connection, and independence, with half of all service users moving on to positive destinations including college, volunteering, and employment. Creative Scotland's Culture Collective programme which is creating nine artist roles over an 18-month participatory arts programme. These artists will work alongside communities across the Stirling area, bringing creative activity to people rather than expecting them to travel to it. There are two surveys - one for residents that will help us understand the current cultural offer in Stirling and what they would like to see in the future. A separate survey will gather views on what support the sector needs and how we can work with cultural organisations and freelancers. The responses to the surveys, which are open until midnight 16 August, will shape priorities, identify collaboration opportunities and demonstrate culture's impact across Stirling. Direct link to surveys: engage.stirling.gov.uk/en-GB… Read more: stirling.gov.uk/news/opportu…

🎨 Another round of free community food and arts events to help shape the vision of new public artworks and neighbourhood improvements in three Stirling communities will take place later this week. Following the event at Darnley Park last week, the community barbeques and meet the artists sessions will take place at the following venues and dates: Friday, 31 July (11.30am-12.30pm) – Hillpark Community Centre area Friday, 31 July (1-2.30pm) – Borestone shopping area Saturday, 1 August (11.30am-1.30pm) – Raploch Village Square. Residents are invited to come along, meet the artists and have their say. No booking is required and, following the discussions, artists will present their proposals to communities and stakeholders in August. Six artists and designers have been commissioned to create new public artworks and place improvements in Borestone and Morrison Drive, Raploch Village Square and Darnley Park at the Top of the Town. Stirling Council, working with community arts organisation Artlink Central, is delivering the ‘Living Neighbourhoods: Connected Places’ project, with investment of £348,435 from the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme. It will bring new public art, improved seating and lighting, enhanced signage, murals, and community-led place improvements to the three areas between autumn 2026 and spring 2027. Read more: stirling.gov.uk/news/residen… @SceneStirling @ArtlinkCentral @StirlingAWS

😍Thanks Yasmin, looks brilliant! Great to hear your enjoyed being part of Stirling's new festival.😃 @SceneStirling @StirlingAWS

🙌 Stirling Council is delighted to announce the return of Culture Night Stirling on Friday 30 April 2027, with the theme Forest of the Unicorn. The first-ever Culture Night Stirling, Carnival of the Wolf’ brought the city to life on 1 May 2026 as crowds of visitors and locals flocked to experience over 40 *free events across the city centre and surrounding areas on one unforgettable evening. Attended by people from as far afield as the Netherlands, Australia and the United States, it proved a vibrant new addition to Scotland’s events calendar. Culture Night 2027 will see another packed programme of events and activities take place in venues and unexpected spaces that showcase Stirling’s thriving culture scene and creative talent, with the aim of driving more night-time economic activity. Next year’s theme draws on the spirit, symbolism and imagination of the unicorn, Scotland’s national animal – a symbol of courage balanced with responsibility. As the country’s former capital, it is no surprise that this mythical creature holds such a strong connection to Stirling. It is etched in stone, woven into glass and carved into wood in locations across the city as well as being carried through centuries of Stirling’s story. From the Mercat Cross in the heart of the old town to Stirling Castle and the National Wallace Monument, the unicorn is an enduring presence. Forest of the Unicorn will be an opportunity for people to step into a world of imagination and be inspired by live music, art, stories, poetry, workshops, food and drink experiences, dramatic performances and much more. Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Susan McGill said: “Following the success of the first Culture Night Stirling, ‘Carnival of the Wolf’, we are thrilled to announce the return of Culture Night Stirling in 2027, with the theme Forest of the Unicorn. “Like the wolf, the unicorn is woven into the city’s fabric. This mythical creature highlights Stirling’s rich history as well as the enduring spirit, inner strength and creativity of its people. “I can’t wait to see what exciting events will be inspired by the theme as Stirling’s talented cultural community gets to work on next year’s festival. “It’s going to be another incredible night, so get Friday 30 April 2027 in your diary and sign-up at YourStirling,com for all the latest updates as we build up to the event.” More details: yourstirling.com/whats-on/cu…

✅ The 12 members of the first Stirling Visitor Levy Advisory Forum have now been confirmed following a selection process that involved the newly appointed independent Chair Paul Mooney. Those appointed to the forum are drawn from both Stirling’s rural and urban areas and bring a broad range of expertise from the tourism industry, communities and other key sectors. Full story: stirling.gov.uk/news/members…

🐺😍 The first-ever Culture Night Stirling is officially underway! With over 40 *free events in 26 locations, inspired by this year's theme theme ‘Carnival of The Wolf’, it's going be an unforgettable and unique cultural celebration. We'll see you there! 👋 #CarnivalofTheWOlf2026 #CultureNightStirling #Stirling * Booking Fees may apply to some events. For the packed programme, check out: yourstirling.com/whats-on/cu…

📍😍 As excitement builds for the first Culture Night Stirling on Friday 1 May, a new map has been launched that reveals the 26 locations where over 40 events will take place on one incredible night. The new spectacular cultural celebration will transform Stirling and its surrounding areas by bringing venues and unexpected spaces to life through a wide variety of *free events for one night, with a 6pm start. The map shows the places in the city centre and Stirlingshire where events will pop-up, from pubs, clubs, hotels and visitor attractions to outdoor spaces and a shopping centre. Download it by visiting: yourstirling.com/whats-on/cu… The theme for the first festival, ‘Carnival of the Wolf’, takes inspiration from one of Stirling’s most enduring legends – the tale of a pack of wolves whose howls alerted the people of Stirling to an attempted Viking invasion. This legend will be reimagined across the city and the wider area through performance, music, art, and spectacle packed into one exhilarating night. There will be something for everyone to enjoy as Stirling’s spirit, creativity and thriving culture scene is celebrated. Expect: live music, aerial dance and immersive performance; cabaret and standup comedy; bold theatrical drumming performances; a historical crime tour that brings Stirling’s darker stories to life; pop-up performances, workshops, installations, food and drink experiences, and much more. Read more: stirling.gov.uk/news/new-map… *Please note while all events are free, some may have a small booking fee. For all ticketed events, with the exception of some small workshops, a number of tickets have been held back for on the night walk ups only. So if you weren’t able to secure an advance ticket, you’ll still have the chance to attend. Entry is offered on a first-come, first-served basis until the venue reaches capacity. Culture Night Stirling is supported by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland.

😍 From major attractions and tours to hidden gems and outdoor activities, there's a wealth of exciting experiences and events across Stirling for visitors and residents to enjoy. Each day this week, we're focusing on the theme of history to inspire your next trip to Stirling - and to showcase why the area welcomed record numbers of visitors in 2024. If you arrive into Stirling by train, a great way to start finding out more about the area’s remarkable history is by crossing the road from the train station and checking out a stunning piece of public art. At 30ft long, you can’t miss it! The colourful illustration was created by local artist David Galletly and was unveiled at the start of Stirling’s 900th birthday celebrations last year. The artwork showcases some of the major moments of Stirling’s rich history over the past 900 years, from the Battle of Bannockburn to the opening of the University of Stirling, and mingles it with legends from the Stirling area such as William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, Sir Andy Murray and Billy Bremner. David’s design was inspired by suggestions submitted by people of all ages across Stirling. And once you have checked it out, you can get your picture taken next to the 27-foot long sign that spells out the Stirling name on the other side of the square. Your visit to Stirling is off to the perfect start! To learn more about Stirling's remarkable history and the experiences across Stirling that bring it to life, visit: yourstirling.com #Stirling #Visitors #Tourism #Experiences #Stirlingshire

What an amazing spectacle the #Stirling900 parade was! Thank you to all the musicians, groups and volunteers who made today happen and thank you Stirling for helping us mark the finale of our 900th anniversary celebrations!

👏 Saturday’s (25 May) Walking of the Marches has been hailed as the ‘biggest and best ever’ in its 900-year history by organisers. Read more: stirling.gov.uk/news/stirlin… #Stirling900 #Stirling