Article Source: Blackburn Communications, on behalf of Stirling BID, Go Forth Stirling.
Last Updated: 3 December 2018 12:40
Stirling’s Reindeer Trail is off to a flying start with youngsters searching for the magical animals in shops and cafes around the city during the run-up to Christmas.
A herd of 20 life-size colourful reindeer, designed and decorated by local schoolchildren, flew into Stirling last month to take up residence in shop windows as part of the city’s first Reindeer Trail.
The initiative was launched by Go Forth Stirling Business Improvement District to create a buzz around Stirling – inspiring people to visit different retailers and enjoy some festive fun.
Go Forth Stirling Director Jon Walton said: “The reindeer look fantastic in their new homes where they have pride of place in the windows.
“People are already enjoying the Reindeer Trail and it’s a great way to get everyone excited about the city centre at Christmas and visit all the amazing independent and national traders we have in Stirling.
“Our free Christmas Landtrain is also running at weekends until December 16 which is a fun way to find the reindeers and you can collect an entry form on board too!
“The schoolchildren who painted the reindeer did a fantastic job and they are all so colourful and different – it’s just wonderful to see.
“And I’m so pleased with the way the traders have taken the project on board and are enjoying being involved with the Trail.”
Shoppers are encouraged to find all 20 reindeer hosted in businesses around Stirling in a competition which features a range of great prizes including an iPad.
They can pick up a map – complete with clues - and find and note down the location of every animal along with the name of the school which designed it.
The Filling Station in Dumbarton Road is one of the businesses taking part in the Stirling Reindeer Trail.
Supervisor Hannah Moore said: “We’ve had people coming in and asking what the reindeer is for and we see children looking at it in the window and taking photos.
“I think it’s a really cool idea and it’s helping keep the city busy in the run up to Xmas - it’s also lovely to see people being so interested and enthusiastic about the Trail.”
At the Blue Lagoon restaurant in Port Street a colourful reindeer has pride of place in the window.
Manager Kate Tanguc said: “It’s a great idea and we’ve been giving customers leaflets and telling them all about the Trail.
“It’s a real conversation starter and we look forward to seeing more people get involved with the project in the next few weeks.”
Schools across the Stirling area were invited to submit individual or group designs for the reindeer and staff at Go Forth Stirling were delighted to receive 160 entries.
A total of 20 winners were chosen from 17 schools, including Bridge of Allan Primary, Killin Primary, Stirling High and Bannockburn High, who were provided with paints to decorate the 1.7m high 3D reindeer.
One of the schools will win a prize for their design with competition entrants asked to vote for the Best Reindeer Design.
The Reindeer will remain in Stirling throughout the festive season with the closing date for competition entries on Saturday January 5, 2019.
The winner of the Reindeer Trail, who will be drawn at random from all correct entries, will receive an iPad and there are five runners-up prizes on offer too.
More details about how to take part in the Reindeer Trail along with downloadable maps and entry forms can be found at www.stirling-city.co.uk
The information and entry forms can also be picked up at various locations throughout the city including Thistles Shopping Centre, the Reindeer Trail locations and the Tourist Information Centre in St John Street.
And entries can be returned by post or via special Santa post boxes located in Thistles.
Image: Janie Meikle Bland - Filling Station Reindeer and staff
Top Dogs is back! Dog lovers invited to come and have a fun day out with their four-legged family members.
READ MORESterling Home and Woody want to bring people together at the Tillicoultry store on Thursday 9th May to celebrate the new Woody pizza oven launching across all stores and online.
READ MOREBritain's biggest independent craft brewer, BrewDog is giving beer lovers a chance to 'Drink Beer, Win Cash' with the return of its Cash Cans scavenger hunt this Spring.
READ MOREEuropean Ryder Cup stars Ludvig Åberg, Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland are set to reunite at the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open.
READ MOREStirling’s 900th anniversary celebrations got underway in style in the spring sunshine last Friday (26 April) as partners came together to launch an exciting year-long programme of events.
READ MOREEnvironmental charity FEL Scotland is celebrating five years of its school-based active travel hubs, marking a significant milestone for the innovative education programme.
READ MOREEnvironmental charity FEL Scotland is leading the charge against climate change with the launch of Forth Valley & the National Park Climate Action Hub.
READ MOREThe Thomas Graham Library in Strathblane, which opened last year, is to have its first Art Exhibition on 11th and 12th May.
READ MOREDementia specialist nursing charity, Dementia UK, is running its 14th annual 'Time for a Cuppa Fundraiser' to raise vital funds for the leading cause of death in the UK.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting children aged four to 10 to a free workshop in May to learn more about trees and how to protect them.
READ MOREIt's just days until the opening of the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, which is back SEC, Glasgow on 11-12 May 2024.
READ MOREGlasgow to Loch Lomond was a sea of tartan today as the world's biggest ever Kiltwalk took place, with fundraising already exceeding £2.5m.
READ MOREA brand new artwork that celebrates Stirling’s people and its history will be officially unveiled in the city centre today for the launch of Stirling’s 900th anniversary celebrations.
READ MOREA spectacular multimedia show celebrating Vincent van Gogh's life and stunning artworks is coming to Glasgow this summer!
READ MORENational Theatre of Scotland launches a new interactive map for Scotland to demonstrate its love for the Big Yin, inviting people to share their own Billy Connolly memories.
READ MORETouring Scotland from June, the cast is announced for Hen Night Horror, an original musical comedy that promises to put the willies right up ye!
READ MOREAldi Scotland's popular 'Best Home Bar' competition has returned for another year, with a year's supply of beer up for grabs!
READ MOREPaisley Food and Drink Festival returns to the town this weekend for a two-day feastival with plenty for everyone to sample and enjoy.
READ MOREWith a staggering 14 million adults in the UK unable to swim, the team behind The Learn to Swim National Framework has launched a new campaign to encourage adults in Scotland to learn the life skill.
READ MOREStirling Highland Games and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum Forge Historic Partnership to Commemorate Stirling's 900th Anniversary.
READ MOREStirling’s Remembering Together project is set to host a celebration of community, creativity and the changing seasons on Thursday 2nd May in the heart of Cornton.
READ MORENow in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MOREStirling Council is thrilled to announce the creation of Stirling Studios, which will be among the biggest film studio campuses in Scotland.
READ MOREFamilies have been following a fascinating trail featuring life-size brick models of sea creatures around Stirling at the BRICKLIVE Ocean tour which runs until Sunday April 21st.
READ MORELatest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MOREThe Stirling Highland Games Committee is thrilled to announce that former Scotland International hooker Kevin McKenzie has been appointed as the Honorary Chieftain for the 2024 Games.
READ MORE17 year old Brodie Brown from Stirling goes head-to-head for ‘Song of the Year’ at The John Lennon Songwriter Awards despite life-long physical and mental health battles.
READ MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.
READ MOREThis year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.
READ MORE