Stirling Reindeer Trail Finishes With a Visit to Stirling Castle

Stirling’s herd of magical reindeer have flown home following the success of the city‘s first Reindeer Trail.

Stirling’s herd of magical reindeer have flown home following the success of the city‘s first Reindeer Trail.

A group of the animals, designed and decorated by local schoolchildren, paid a flying visit to Stirling Castle after leaving the city centre shops and cafes where they were homed during the festive season.

They have now returned to their secret location but will be back for the 2019 Stirling Reindeer Trail this winter after the initiative organised by Go Forth Stirling Business Improvement District was hailed a success.

Go Forth Stirling Director Jon Walton said: “We’re delighted with just how popular the Reindeer Trail proved with local families and the traders who took part.

“It created a real buzz and lots of smiles around the city and was great for sparking people’s curiosity.

“When you launch a new initiative like this you can never be 100% sure how it will go.

“Happily, the Trail proved a great success both in terms of the feedback we got from those involved and the amazing drawings which school pupils came up with for the reindeer in the initial design competition.”

He added: “I want to thank all the school pupils and teachers involved for their hard work and imaginative designs as well as the local authority.

“We couldn’t have achieved what we did or run this fantastic Trail without them.”

Schools across Stirling took part in the innovative project which will return later this year with a new theme for the 2019 festive season.

Councillor Susan McGill, Convener of Stirling Council’s Children and Young People Committee, said: “The Reindeer Trail was a fantastic initiative for Stirling’s schools to be involved in and it produced a real excitement among pupils.

“The reindeer they created were diverse, individual and imaginative. We set up the opportunity like a real design job, sending the schools a brief and asking the children to create a prototype design.

“This meant they drew upon skills including creativity, co-operation and critical thinking.”

Councillor Margaret Brisley, Vice Convener of the Children and Young People Committee, said: “We would like to thank Go Forth Stirling for the opportunity to participate in the Trail and look forward to it this year.

“The reindeer really added to the Christmas decorations across the city centre and to the festive spirit.”

Pupils were invited to come up with individual or group designs for the Reindeer Trail project with more than 160 entries submitted.

A total of 20 winners were chosen from 17 schools who were provided with paints to decorate the 1.7m high 3D reindeer.

The 20 life-size reindeer were then placed in the diverse range of shops and businesses across the city from Waitrose in the Burghmuir Retail Park all the way up to the Darnley Coffee House near the Castle.

Shoppers were encouraged to pick up a map complete with clues and find all the reindeer - naming the school which designed and painted the reindeer when they spotted each one - in a competition which could win them an iPad.
The aim was to increase footfall and circulation around Stirling city centre as well as create a fun and festive atmosphere for shoppers in the run up to Christmas.

More than 800 competition entries have been received by Go Forth Stirling and are currently being checked over by staff.

Over 9,000 entry forms were collected by shoppers and on top of this, many more were downloaded from the Stirling City website.

All entrants with the 20 correct answers will be placed into a prize draw and the iPad winner, plus five runners-up, will be announced later this month.

Meanwhile, one of the schools involved will win a prize for their design after competition entrants were asked to vote for the Best Reindeer Design.

For more information visit the website – stirling-city.co.uk

Image credit: Janie Meikle Bland

Last Updated: 10 January 2019 14:51

Source: Blackburn Communications

Latest Local News

BID Funds Protective Aids to Keep Stirling Shoppers and Traders Safe

Stirling’s Business Improvement District has funded protective aids to keep traders and shoppers safe during the Covid-19 crisis.

Last Updated: 29th May 2020

Stream4Scotland adds new names to 10 hours stream in aid of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy and ViseUp

Stream4Scotland has announced Amy Macdonald, Bow Anderson, Cameron Barnes, Hyyts, James Smith, Single by Sunday and Tide Lines will join the epic line-up for the ten hour stream extravaganza!

Last Updated: 29th May 2020

Make Music Day calls on Scottish musicians to perform Auld Lang Syne

Grassroots music festival, Make Music Day, is calling on Scottish musicians to join together in a celebratory performance of one of Scotland's must popular and enduring folk songs.

Last Updated: 27th May 2020

Dobbies encourages kids to get gardening

The UK's leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centres, announces its support for National Children’s Gardening Week, which runs from 23rd to 31st May.

Last Updated: 22nd May 2020

National Theatre of Scotland launches PLAY DATES a new online interactive programme for children and families

National Theatre of Scotland in association with leading children’s arts organisations Starcatchers and Imaginate is connecting with families at home during the COVID crisis.

Last Updated: 22nd May 2020

Charity calls on talented Scots to take part in virtual fundraising event

Specialist charity Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland (SBH Scotland) is calling on talented Scots to help save the organisation with a virtual fundraising event.

Last Updated: 19th May 2020

Dobbies supports Virtual Chelsea Flower Show

The UK's leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centres, will be supporting for The Royal Horticultural Society's Virtual Chelsea Flower Show, which runs from 18 to 23 May!

Last Updated: 18th May 2020

Scottish Book Trust launch online celebrations for Bookbug Week

Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, will host online celebrations this May for Bookbug Week.

Last Updated: 18th May 2020

Scotland Hosts International Prayer Meeting via Zoom

What is believed to be the largest Prayer Meeting held in Scotland since the Reformation has been conducted via Zoom this week, with around 400 people joining.

Last Updated: 18th May 2020

Celebrate World Whisky Day with Johnnie Walker

World Whisky Day is the annual toast to the 'water of life'. This year, Johnnie Walker, the world's number one Scotch, is giving a helping hand so you can celebrate the day in your home environment.

Last Updated: 15th May 2020

itison announce plans to launch first socially distanced Drive In

Scotland's drive in pioneers set to return this July with feel-good Summer movie classics!

Last Updated: 14th May 2020

Over 10,000 food packs donated in 24 hours

Kind-hearted members of the public have donated over 10,000 food packs to itison's fundraiser for Social Bite since it launched yesterday!

Last Updated: 14th May 2020

itison launches Social Bite fundraiser

itison is launching a fundraiser for Social Bite tomorrow, Wednesday 13th May at 9am, to help those hard-hit by the COVID-19 crisis.

Last Updated: 12th May 2020

Trossachs Wild Apothecary launches an online Family Foraging Course

Rox Madeira, owner of Trossachs Wild Apothecary, has launched a virtual ‘Little Alchemists Club’*, for families to learn about edible and medicinal plants online.

Last Updated: 11th May 2020

Stirling Traders are open for business despite crisis

Stirling traders have come up with a range of initiatives to ensure they remain `Open for Business’ during the Covid-19 crisis.

Last Updated: 11th May 2020

Dobbies podcast explores gardening for beginners

The UK's leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centres, explores gardening for beginners in the second instalment from its podcast series.

Last Updated: 11th May 2020

SF At Home brings you studio tours, workshops and exhibitions

Arts agency unveils plans to engage audiences and support artists and makers during Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.

Last Updated: 11th May 2020

Stay off the tracks. Stay home. Stay safe.

Network Rail has launched a new awareness-raising campaign to warn of the dangers of trespassing on the railway during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Last Updated: 8th May 2020

Members of the public are asked to help identify archive photography

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has asked the public to help identify over 5,000 archive images which are now available online for the first time.

Last Updated: 7th May 2020

VE Day extravaganza for care homes across the UK

Care homes and the vulnerable are NOT FORGOTTEN as charity organises special online variety show for VE Day.

Last Updated: 7th May 2020

Virtual running challenge launched in aid of NHS Charities Together

The Great Run Company has launched #GreatRunSolo, a brand new virtual running challenge encouraging the public to stay healthy, be active and run solo to raise vital funds for NHS Charities Together!

Last Updated: 6th May 2020

TRNSMT 2021 Line Up Announced

TRNSMT organisers have been working hard with artist teams over the last few days to rebook most of the acts from the 2020 event to the 2021 festival!

Last Updated: 5th May 2020

Business Training Courses on offer from Stirling Bid

A range of free online courses for Stirling’s business community have been launched on a training platform set up by the city’s Business Improvement District.

Last Updated: 4th May 2020

A new online quiz service has launched to help people host their own pub quizzes from home

As lockdown continues, Tennent's is helping people stay entertained with the launch of PinTless, a free online quiz service where users can create their very own pub quiz to host from home!

Last Updated: 4th May 2020

Surge in E Bike use as charity offers free hire and loans to Keyworkers

E-bike use in Forth Valley has soared in the past month, partly down to two lockdown initiatives giving keyworkers free access to electric bikes during the Covid-19 crisis.

Last Updated: 1st May 2020

Artists and Venues connect communities in Lockdown

With Stirling’s arts and culture venues closed to the public, local artists and creatives are coming up with new ways to connect with their audiences and bring communities together.

Last Updated: 29th April 2020

Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival 2020 Cancelled

Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival 2020 has been cancelled but options are being explored for going ahead with online events.

Last Updated: 29th April 2020

Dobbies supports National Gardening Week

The UK's leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies, announces its support for The Royal Horticulture Society's National Gardening Week, the UK's biggest celebration of gardening running until May 3rd.

Last Updated: 28th April 2020

Charity comes to the rescue of Stranded Student Nurses

Local transport service Dial-a-Journey has stepped in to help student nurses struggling to get to placements during the Covid-19 crisis.

Last Updated: 28th April 2020

Scientific breakthrough creates buzz for Scottish Bee Company

The Scottish Bee Company, based in Edinburgh, is set to take on its global rivals after being revealed as a world-leading superfood in a recent scientific study.

Last Updated: 27th April 2020