Sharing Memories: Taking '20 Great Buildings of Stirling' into the community

Last year, we produced ’20 Great Buildings of Stirling’ in collaboration with The Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum, an accessible publication designed to be enjoyed by people with Dementia, as well as people learning English. Since its launch, ’20 Great Buildings’ has made its way across Stirlingshire with the help of Stirling’s Library Services, and we have also delivered it to a variety of community groups, local care homes and third sector organisations. In February, one of the care homes who had received our booklets, William Simpsons, invited us to do a ‘Show-and-Tell’ outreach session with their wonderful residents.

We were welcomed into their sunny café space, and our Grants & Outreach Officer Rachael gave the residents a talk about the buildings featured in ’20 Great Buildings’, sharing interesting facts and stories about each building’s history. After the talk, we sat down and a had a cup of tea with the residents, and looked at some large-scale images we’d brought with us. The photographs taken by our drone proved to be very popular, offering a whole new perspective on familiar views like the Castle Rock and Kings Knot.

Using ’20 Great Buildings’ to spark conversations, we encouraged everyone to reminisce and share their memories of the buildings and places featured. One person had played at the Albert Halls as part of a charity concert, and another was keen to let us know that the Station Hotel, now demolished, served a very good steak! ’20 Great Buildings’ includes reminiscence questions alongside each building, so the booklet can be used in groups to spark memories and conversation, as well as enjoyed alone. The day after the ‘Show-and-Tell’, Rachel the Activities & Media Manager from William Simpsons reached-out to tell us that “I saw one of the gents who’d attended, sitting in the café this morning with his visitor showing him the 20 Greatest Buildings and talking to him about them!”.

’20 Great Buildings of Stirling’ is available free of charge to local care homes, community support groups, and third sector organisations. If you would like to request copies, please get in touch with us for more details.