Go Forth Launches Christmas Gingerbread Trail in Stirling
Families can take part in a fun challenge this festive season by finding crucial supplies stolen from Santa and hidden along Go Forth Stirling’s Gingerbread Trail.
Article Source: Go Forth Stirling
Last Updated: 24 November 2023 14:22
The Trail tells the tale of a gang of mischievous gingerbread men who have broken into the North Pole and taken vital items Santa needs to deliver his presents on Christmas Eve.
The missing materials – which include The Naughty and Nice List, Santa’s Present Bag and Rudolf the Reindeer’s Harness – can be found in Stirling shop windows which have been hand-painted with colourful gingerbread scenes by talented local signwriter Ross Hastie.
A range of city centre businesses are involved in the Gingerbread Trail, organised by Go Forth Stirling Business Improvement District (BID), which runs until Saturday December 23.
Families can pick up a map and follow the clues around the city centre to locate the missing items, find out who stole them and visit some of Stirling’s wide range of retailers at the same time.
Those taking part include Rishi’s Indian Aroma in Friars Street, hair salon Jayla & Co in Baker Street, greengrocers Ginger Roots in Port Street and The Book Nook in Upper Craigs.
Jitka Fleglova, Community Engagement Manager at Go Forth Stirling, and the BID’s team of Ambassadors have organised the city’s first Gingerbread Trail.
She said: “We wanted to offer families some festive fun as they visit the city centre this winter and to highlight all the amazing shops, cafes and restaurants we have in Stirling.
“A variety of businesses have joined the Trail which sees mischievous gingerbread men causing a stir with Santa and his elves and threatening Christmas by stealing crucial supplies.
“Their shop windows have been painted with gingerbread scenes by Ross Hastie and look fantastic.
“We now hope people will join in the excitement of finding all the missing materials so Santa isn’t late when it comes to delivering presents this Christmas Eve!”
She added: “We've had a fabulous response from the business community and it's great to see them embracing the initiative and putting on themed activities and special menu items as well as offers for the trail-goers."
A map of the Gingerbread Trail can be picked up from the participating businesses as well as The Pend Café in Port Street, Contempo in King Street, `The Snug’ community hub in the Thistles and the Visit Scotland Stirling iCentre in the Old Town.
It can also be downloaded from the Go Forth website: www.goforthstirling.co.uk/save-christmas
Meanwhile, a vacant shop at 18 King Street has been transformed into Santa's Post Office which is where completed trail maps should be dropped off so Santa’s missing items can be returned to the North Pole before Christmas.
Three lucky Gingerbread Trail winners, who will be drawn at random from all the correctly completed competition entries, will receive prizes of advent calendars filled with treats from Stirling retailers.
Stirling businesses are also running special activities during the run-up to Christmas including free gingerbread treats at Stirling Optical, gingerbread selfies at Slanj A Va, a gingerbread house decorating contest at Aberdeen Considine and a free hot chocolate for participants who show their trail map at Hotel Colessio.
Throughout the festive season there will also be a chance to take selfies with the Gingerbread Man who will be visiting Stirling city centre at certain times. Anyone interested should keep an eye on Go Forth’s social media pages to find out where he is day to day.
And the Wee Wolf Bistro is hosting a colouring competition on Saturday December 2 with the winners invited to have breakfast with the Gingerbread Man on Saturday November 16.
Go Forth has also produced a handy guide highlighting Christmas gifts to buy from Stirling’s wide range of independent traders which can be found on the Independent Stirling website: https://independentstirling.co.uk/giftguide/
Go Forth Stirling BID was set up in 2017 and currently represents more than 600 local businesses with a key objective of delivering projects and services which improve Stirling’s trading environment to benefit businesses, shoppers and visitors.
For more details visit www.goforthstirling.co.uk
Sponsored Links
Latest Stirling News
New documentary tells the story of world record breaking Scottish brothers
A new documentary - now live on STV Player - tells the story of the Maclean Brothers and their self-confessed “piss poor” preparations the ocean adventure that lay ahead.
READ MORE
Wallace High Girls bid again for Scottish Cup glory
People across Stirling are being urged to cheer on Wallace High Senior Girls on Friday night (9 May) as they bid to retain the Scottish Cup.
READ MORE
David Attenborough and Eurovision steal the spotlight at Vue venues in Scotland this month
Audiences are invited to travel the globe - both musically and visually - this May, as both David Attenborough and Eurovision head to the big screen at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
The Royal Yacht Britannia Exhibition and Retail Experience are shipshape and ready to welcome visitors
2025 marks the next chapter in The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust’s legacy with the opening of a brand-new, world-class visitor centre with exhibition and retail experience.
READ MORE
Pavilion Festival rounds off biggest event yet with Happy Mondays and STREETrave Classical
Pavilion Festival has rounded off its biggest ever event with over 16,000 music fans enjoying three days of non-stop live music and feel good vibes on Ayr’s iconic Low Green.
READ MORE
Cineworld announces first ever 4DX Family Day
For one day only, families can experience Moana, Paddington, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in immersive 4DX at all 34 Cineworld 4DX screens nationwide.
READ MORE
Brand new show Something About Lennon opens UK tour this month with Scottish dates
Celebration of the iconic late Beatle's life and music will be performed at 26 venues nationwide.
READ MORE
Celebrate Fathers Day in Style with Dobbies Sunday Lunch and Planting Experience
This June, Dobbies Garden Centres is presenting a brand-new way to celebrate Father’s Day, combining a hearty Sunday roast with a hands-on grow-your-own herb planting workshop.
READ MORE
Blue Light Awards Scotland to honour emergency services heroes
Nominations for the Blue Light Awards Scotland, recognising the courage, commitment and community spirit of our Blue Light Services, are now open.
READ MORE
Funding awarded to seven projects for tree planting in cities and towns across Scotland
The Urban Forestry Programme is supporting projects in urban areas to help more people experience the benefits of trees.
READ MORE
Culture Night Stirling 2026 announced
Stirling Council and local partners are delighted to announce a new annual celebration of culture, which will see the area come alive at night with an exciting range of events and activities.
READ MORE
IRN BRU proposes Kelpies mythical makeover to honour our national animal
IRN-BRU thinks it’s time for Scotland’s unicorns to finally toot their own horn - by giving one of the country’s most iconic sculptures a magical makeover.
READ MORE
Rory McIlroy Confirmed for Genesis Scottish Open
Newly-crowned Masters Tournament champion Rory McIlroy is set to compete for a second Genesis Scottish Open title!
READ MORE
Major milestone reached in new flood defence scheme for Bridge of Allan
A new £16 million flood prevention scheme for Bridge of Allan has taken a significant step forward following approval to procure a contract to design and build the defences.
READ MORE
Holding Back The Years: 40 Years of Simply Red in cinemas May 15
To celebrate 40 years of legendary music, Simply Red are releasing their concert film 'Holding Back the Years: 40 Years of Simply Red, Live in Santiago' on the big screen.
READ MORE
This May bank holiday weekend sees 3 day festival take over Ayr Beach and the sun is set to shine!
Pavilion Festival 2025: From Big Top, live music to secret gigs - here's what to expect!
READ MORE
Fun for all the family at the 36th annual Scottish Game Fair
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair is back for its 36th year at Scone Palace, taking place 4th - 6th July 2025.
READ MORE
Free Glorious Grass gardening workshop for children at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres are welcoming children across the UK to join in on the fun this May to uncover all there is to know about grass at its free Little Seedlings Club workshop.
READ MORE
Stirling Highland Games Chieftain for 2025 is named
Stirling Highland Games have announcement that former Scotland Women’s rugby internationalist Lyndsay O'Donnell has been appointed as their honorary chieftain for 2025.
READ MORE
Market set to bring flavours and crafts from around the world to Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond Shores is hosting a continental market on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th of May!
READ MORE
Landmark active travel project in Stirling officially opens
A ground-breaking active travel network that will transform how people get around Stirling and the wider region has officially opened.
READ MORE
New Bluey collection comes to cinemas for the May Bank Holiday
Bluey at the Cinema: Let's Play Chef Collection will be playing in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from Saturday 3rd May, just in time for the Early May Bank Holiday weekend.
READ MORE
New and exclusive Heritage Planting and Afternoon Tea experience comes to Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a new hands-on planting and afternoon tea experience inspired by the RHS Chelsea Garden Show and Dobbies' 160-year heritage.
READ MORE
Stories of inspiring young women sought by charity
The Young Women’s Movement, Scotland’s national organisation for young women and girls’ leadership and rights, is seeking nominations for its tenth annual 30 Under 30 list.
READ MORE
The Scottish Wild Food Festival returns from 17th to 18th May
From Forest Floor to Firepit: Scotland’s Wild Food Festival Returns with a Focus on Responsible Foraging, Boozy Botany and Coastal Flavours.
READ MORE
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns next weekend with a supersized celebration
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April for its biggest event yet with an extended site and more vendors than ever before!
READ MORE
Trusts join forces to explore complexities of the Battle of Culloden
The National Trust for Scotland and the National Trust have teamed up to give an insight into the complexity of the Battle of Culloden in a pair of podcasts this April.
READ MORE
Love Your Lawn with Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a very special FREE Grow How event in stores across the UK this May in partnership with Alzheimer's Research UK to mark Dementia Action Week.
READ MORE
Exclusive child planting event in honour of National Childrens Gardening Week
Dobbies Garden Centres are celebrating National Children's Gardening Week by welcoming families along to its Children's Planting and Afternoon Tea experience on Saturday 31st May.
READ MORE
BBC Introducing comes to TRNSMT Festival, bringing 20 rising stars
Rockstar Energy presents TRNSMT has announced the BBC Introducing Stage, previously River Stage, will showcase 20 of the most exciting emerging artists in the country.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links