Go straight to the Old Town Jail…(2017)
Stirling’s very own edition of the iconic board game Monopoly was launched at Stirling Castle in 2017.
A total of 34 leading Stirling names and landmarks replaced the famous London Monopoly addresses.
The Stirling Observer proudly graced the Fleet Street square – and also featured on a Community Chest card which told players they had won our Butcher Boy competition.
Iconic visitor attractions such as Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument – on the traditional Mayfair and Park Lane squares – were on the board along with the Robert the Bruce statue, Stirling Old Bridge, Dunblane Cathedral, the Tolbooth, the Church of the Holy Rude, Smith Art Gallery and Museum.
Not one but two jails featured on the board – the traditional Monopoly jail and the Stirling Old Town Jail.
Stirling Arcade, the Thistles shopping centre, the King’s Knot, Stirling Highland Games, and Blair Drummond Safari Park were also on the board along with educational institutions the University of Stirling, Forth Valley College and Beaconhurst School.
Stirling and Bridge of Allan railway stations, Stirling bus station and the Nextbike cycle scheme took up the four transport squares.
Sport also featured in the form of The Peak leisure centre and Stirling Albion Football Club. Other features included the Stirling Highland Hotel, the Birds and Bees restaurant in Causewayhead, Blairmains Farm Shop and Coffee Bothy and the Toy Hub, one of the stockists of the game.
Emma Lodwick, custom games executive for Winning Moves, who produce the game under licence from Hasbro, said: “The time I have spent in Stirling has been completely unforgettable from the stunning views to the wonderful people. It is clear why Stirling deserves this tribute to its people and culture.
“The response from the people of Stirling, who voted in their thousands for the features of the board, has been overwhelming. I am sure everyone will agree, it has turned out great.”
The Stirling Observer secured five of the very first games to roll off the presses especially for our readers to win via a competition.
Monopoly superfan Mary Peck was delighted to get her hands on one of the very first games, having previously created her own version from cardboard.
Mary was left gutted a few years prior when the board game’s makers chose Perth instead of Stirling for their then latest official city edition.
But the 13-year-old channelled her disappointment into making her own home city version called ‘Maryopoly’ featuring Stirling streets and landmarks.
Mary, who has a collection of special edition Monopoly sets, said: “It is pretty cool and definitely lives up to my expectations. I was really excited that something I had done had been put into the game. I’ll definitely be playing a lot of the Stirling game, probably with my friends or my sister Rosie.”
Meanwhile Brahead teenager Lucy Henderson, celebrating her 14th birthday, collected the very first game, courtesy of Toy Hub in Bridge of Allan.
Derry gets disco fever! (2013)
Ten-year-old Derry Boyd hoped to raise cash to help other youngsters like him who suffer juvenile arthritis in 2013.
The then Callander Primary School pupil almost went blind due to the condition, which was diagnosed when he was aged just four.
But the youngster was determined to live a full life. He plays golf and has climbed Ben Ledi.
His family were hoping to raise around £3,000 to help research the disease in children, and one day find a cure.
Derry’s condition became so bad that he almost went blind, and needed surgery for a cataract aged six.
Although he remains active, his condition saps his energy and he made regular hospital visits.
Mum Alexandra said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support for this event, from local businesses who have given us some great raffle and auction prizes for the night.
“We just hope everyone comes along and has a great time. It’s for such a worthy cause.
“Arthritis Research doesn’t receive any government funding, but it’s the fourth largest medical charity in the UK.”
Derry was diagnosed with arthritis just before his fifth birthday.
He had been suffering pain and joint swelling for almost a year, with doctors baffled about the cause.
In another distressing incident, he was rushed to hospital after complaining he couldn’t walk while at school.
Show us the X-Files…(2023)
A Wee County paranormal investigator joined a councillor in heading to Downing Street to demand that the UK Government reveals what it knows about UFOs in 2023.
Malcolm Robinson joined Bonnybridge and Larbert councillor Billy Buchanan for the trip south as the pair seek to convince government officials to make public details of known UFO sightings across the country.
Malcolm, from Sauchie, has been a UFO and paranormal researcher for over 45 years, and in his time has collected a vast amount of data and released a number of books on the topic.
The pair attended at Downing Street where they handed in a letter to the Prime Minister demanding the government start releasing what they know on UFOs.
Malcolm called for the UK government to follow the lead of the United States in releasing details and accounts of sightings.