Stirling's Heritage Treasures

Every year Heritage Lottery Fund celebrates #Heritagetreasures day. Stirling’s architectural heritage is one of its greatest assets, offering a unique blend of historic character, innovative design, and cultural significance. To celebrate #HeritageTreasures Day the SCHT have picked out and written about some of their favourite historic buildings.

Cowane's Hospital

Vivienne, Trust Manager

My favourite building is the former Cowane’s Hospital.

This John Mylne IV designed, early 17^th century building, proves that quality historic buildings can be adapted, and remodelled over the centuries to reflect needs and uses, without harming the buildings original plan form, detail and special character.  Its elevated setting contributes significantly to its majesty.  I was first attracted to this building through the reflective and refractive qualities of its lime washed Harl.  Walking into the hall took my breath away, the quality of the woodwork and level of detail was outstanding. The story of the statue of John Cowane, adds intangible qualities to this exceptional and culturally significant building.  

Clydesdale Bank

Chris, TBHC Head of Technical

I think I am drawn to the Clydesdale bank building for two reasons; the first is its grandeur, there is nothing simple about it with so many prominent architectural features requiring so much thought, effort, time and craftsmanship resulting in this symmetrical feast for the eyes.

The other reason is that all these opulent features actually present a really difficult challenge to maintaining the building. I find it really intriguing that the design of the building has clearly been so meticulously planned and beautifully crafted but yet it’s evident the current maintenance challenges largely lie also in its complex design and the future maintenance requirements may not have been so carefully considered.   

Cambuskenneth Abbey

Doug, TBHC Inspector

The ruins of Cambuskenneth Abbey are a favourite spot of mine, as much because of the setting as the building itself. Nestled between the meanders of the River Forth the site retains a sense of seclusion whilst remaining conveniently close to Stirling itself. The surviving stone Bell Tower dates from the late 1200's and acts as a physical link to a time when Stirling was a place of considerable influence and power and saw some of Scotland's most notable moments in history. As someone who has had the opportunity to work on various scheduled monuments across the country, I am always taken by how these buildings manage to retain their sense of grandeur and significance despite the many centuries that have passed since they were first built.   

Stirling Old High School

Fiona, Climate Action Project Officer

The former Stirling High School, now the Stirling Highland Hotel, is my favourite property in Stirling. The Observatory Tower is the standout feature for me, beautiful on the inside and it’s a striking addition to the Stirling’s iconic roofscape. It looks especially magic when captured during our drone inspections.

Every time I pass the building, I find something new, particularly in the intricate stonework and detailing. It’s also a fantastic example of how traditional buildings can be successfully conserved and repurposed. While many developers are put off by the cost and complexity of converting a Category A-listed property, the hotel shows what can be achieved.

I always smile when I see it, and I hope others take the opportunity to stop for a moment and take a look up!

Wolf Craig

Katharine, Marketing and Evaluation Officer

My favourite building in Stirling is the Wolf Craig. Designed in 1897 by Stirling architect John Allan, it’s not only one of the most striking buildings on our Highstreet, but also one of the most important. Sitting prominently on the corner of Dumbarton Road and Port Street, Wolf Craig was built for grocers Robertson & MacFarlane. The building was innovative for its time, making extensive use of steel, which was still considered experimental at the time, and it was also the first retail building in Stirling to be lit by electricity.

The building can instantly be recognised as one of John Allan’s designs, not just through his use of the red brick façade but also the mysterious carved panels. Allan was fascinated by symbolism, and many of his buildings feature panels with symbolic carvings. The façade of the building also includes a tribute to the Stirling Wolf, after which the building is named. I always love showing the building to visitors and pointing out all the fascinating details, it’s a great example of why it’s so important to look up.

Stirling Central Library

Rachael, Senior Grants and Outreach Officer

My favourite building in Stirling city centre is the Library. It’s a fairy-tale castle of a building, with huge windows letting in light to read by, and carvings on the façade linking back to Stirling’s history. Growing up, I spent a lot of time in my hometown’s library (sadly not a Scots Baronial stunner), so I have a bit of a soft spot for libraries. This particular building opened in 1904, one of many Carnegie libraries being built across Scotland at the time, funded by wealthy Scottish-American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. I love its turrets, crow-stepped gables, and the way it confidently sits on the corner of Corn Exchange Road, still serving as Stirling’s Central Library today.