Stirling Observer
Only half of stroke patients received vital care bundle
Only just over half of stroke patients in the Forth Valley region were supplied with a vital kit ‘bundle’according to new figures. The 2025 Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme released by Public Health Scotland outlines the adherence of health...
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Only half of stroke patients received vital care bundle
Only just over half of stroke patients in the Forth Valley region were supplied with a vital kit ‘bundle’according to new figures. The 2025 Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme released by Public Health Scotland outlines the adherence of health...
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DUMPED RUBBISH ISPLANECRAZY
Dumped plane seats are among fly-tipped rubbish at an abandoned landmark Stirling building as new footage of the site was compared to an “apocalyptic zombie movie”. The former Prudential office complex in Craigforth has been the subject of several...
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CHARITY LETSME BEAMUM
The family of a brave Stirling youngster living with an extraordinary rare neurological condition have thrown their weight behind a charity’s massive appeal. Ten-year-old Quinns Rutherford was diagnosed with GNA01, which affects just a few hundred...
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DEVIL’S PULPIT ON THE MARKET
A popular beauty spot near Killearn which attracts thousands of tourists has been put on the market. Finnich Glen, also known as the Devil’s Pulpit, has gone up for sale as the owners revealed their hopes for its future. Described as Scotland’s...
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FEARS OVER RIVER ‘SEWAGE’
A probe into reports of sewage running into the Allan Water in Dunblane is underway amid concerns a solution is yet to be found. The river, which runs through the centre of the town, was pictured earlier this week with a sludgy residue. The case has...
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New park flying high
The ribbon was cut on a brand new £200,000 bike park and pump track project in a rural Stirling village designed to ensure access for the next generation. Rabbit Hill Bike Park was opened at the location in Aberfoyle over the weekend and has been...
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14-month closure of busy road defended by council
A controversial closure which will see a busy stretch in Bridge of Allan closed for 14 months has been defended by Stirling Council chiefs. The traffic order has been issued by the local authority affecting Cornton Road in the town between its...
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WARNING AFTER TEENAGE DEATH
A volunteer rescue team tasked with supporting those who get into difficulty at Stirling’s visitor hotspots has issued a water safety warning following the tragic death of a teenager. Freya Maclean, 19, passed away following an incident at the Falls...
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PARKSTRIFE
The condition of a Plean playpark has been criticised amid a push for feedback on the condition of facilities following a funding pledge. The Bruce Street park was one of those from across Stirling supported as part of the Scottish Government’s Play...
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BEAUTIFUL SOUL WHO LEAVES LEGACY OFLOVE
The heartbroken parents of a teenage dancer who died at a popular beauty spot have described her as a“beautiful soul”. Freya Maclean, 19, passed away in a tragic accident at the Falls of Falloch near Stirling last weekend following reports of a woman...
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Scheme to share e-bikes
Pedal power will be king in Stirling – thanks to an innovative new venture. A new e-bike share scheme will be rolled out in the city that will see around 130 electric bikes available for use in the autumn. The pilot scheme will be supported through...
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Crucial cash boost for community enterprise
A rural Stirling-based social enterprise that uses sustainable charcoal production to fund woodland community work has netted a £30,000 cash boost. Green Aspirations Scotland CIC, based near Port of Menteith, will use the investment to purchase a
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DON’T SHUT OUR ROADS
Frustrated traders in Dunblane have raised “huge concern” for their livelihoods after a three-month road closure was announced. Stirling Council revealed a series of road closures will take place for demolition works at the Chip Inn on the corner of...
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AVA HAS BROKE THE MOULD
A proud mum who was told by doctors to abort her baby due to a life-limiting heart condition has told how she is now a thriving schoolgirl who inspires her every day. Ava Alexander, eight, from Stirling, was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart...
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Sheila’s accolade
A dedicated Stirling volunteer has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours. Sheila Pheely, 93, of the Royal Voluntary Service, has been awarded a BEM by His Majesty The King in recognition of her outstanding service to charity and positive...
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HAND FIRE STATION TO THE COMMUNITY
Fresh calls have been made for community ownership of a former rural Stirling fire station after the site was officially mothballed this week. The fire station at Crianlarich has been closed for good following the conclusion of a review led by the...
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SEX PREDATOR SHOPOWNER IS JAILED FOR RAPING TEEN
A shop owner who supplied an underage girl with drink and vapes and sexually assaulted and raped her at his business premises has been jailed. Asief Anwar molested the 15-year-old victim and subjected her to sexual comments and made inappropriate...
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ALL EYES ON SCOTLAND
Pubs across stirling were packed for world cup opener with haiti —nowit’s time to raise glasses again with morocco up next
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Hotel opens doors to the Auld Enemy
A lot of Scots might just be getting over their World Cup hangovers from a late night on Sunday morning – but one Stirling hotelier is ready to throw open the doo=rs for England as our neighbours start off their campaign. The Three Lions kick off...
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Court told van’s near-miss with train was like...
A restaurateur has been fined following a level crossing near-miss described as“like a harrowing episode of Thomas The Tank Engine”. Marius-nelu Boncota, 42, drove his van across Inverhaggernie lower level crossing, forcing a train driver to slam on...
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BALLOON RELEASE FOR TRAGIC TEEN
The heartbroken family and friends of a teenage boy who tragically died at a popular beauty spot are holding a balloon release in his memory. The event will be held at Dunipace Gala Park in Denny on Saturday, June 6 and will give the community a...
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AXECOULDFALL ONBUSDEPOT
A major bus depot in Bannockburn could be set to close its doors after the operator confirmed a consultation had begun over switching its local base to Larbert. The future of the Cowie Road base has been thrown into doubt over reorganisation plans...
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DRIVER JAILED FOR HITTING CYCLIST WHILE HIGH ON COCAINE
A motorist has been jailed after ploughing into a cyclist on a country road near Balfron while high on drugs. Ryan Murray, 42, crashed into the 44-year-old, whilst he was cycling near Ballat Crossroads on the A81 from Stirling to Loch...
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New network for pets
A new collaboration of dog-friendly businesses has been launched in Bridge of Allan to give those desperate for help for their four-legged friends local a ‘one stop shop’ of support. The Bridge of Allan Pet Network is an initiative launched by a range...
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FINAL PUSH TO SAVE CHURCH
A committed group aiming to preserve the future of an East Loch Lomond church are launching one final push for funding amid a deadline for its purchase. Buchanan Church Heritage Trust was launched back in 2024 in response to Church of Scotland chiefs...
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TRAINTRAGEDY HIGHLIGHTS ACCESS CONCERNS
A late-night tragedy on the train line near Cornton last week has highlighted serious concerns over levels of access to the area for emergency services amid continuing roadworks. The incident on Tuesday evening saw the death of a man shortly after 8pm...
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DANGERROAD DEATHFEARS
Calls have been made for further action on a busy Stirlingshire village road amid fears “it’s only a matter of time until someone is killed”. Blairlogie resident Ian Doyle has been leading the charge to see speeds reduced on the A91. He claims more...
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TWO MEN KNIFED IN HORROR ATTACK
Two men have been rushed to hospital after being stabbed in a brutal broad daylight blade attack in Stirling. Police were scrambled to Burghmuir Retail Park, off Burghmuir Road, at around 7.15pm on Saturday (May 9). The men, aged 38 and 46, were...
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Mapping out first ever Culture Night
With excitement reaching fever pitch and high notes set to be hit for the first Culture Night Stirling, a new map has been launched that reveals the 26 locations where more than 40 events will take place. The new spectacular cultural celebration, on...
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OURFIELD OFDREAMS
Dedicated community campaigners in Kinlochard are celebrating after completing a long-running fundraising effort to secure a neglected field and kick off ambitious plans. The patch of land, named simply as ‘The Field’, has been well-loved by locals...
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‘Shibby Cup’ success
A football tournament brought people together in memory of former Scotland rugby international Siobhan Cattigan. Talks are underway in a bid to save Stirling city centre’s post office after a shop announced its closure. The service is currently...
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LEARNLESSONS FROMOUR ‘APPALLING’ TREATMENT AFTERDEATH OFDEBBIE
The devastated family of a Deanston grandmother who passed away in hospital are calling for lessons to be learned after saying they were treated ‘appallingly’. Debbie Wishart (below), 64, died at Forth Valley Royal Hospital after battling a number of...
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CAREHOMEWILL SHUTITSDOORS
A Bannockburn care home has announced its closure less than a year after being named as one of the top facilities in Scotland. Gowanlea Christadelphian Care Home will shut its doors as bosses said the building could no longer meet the increasing needs...
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I WILL GET OVER THAT RACE LINE FOR MY WEE GIRL
The determined dad of a former Scotland rugby international is taking on the London Marathon in memory of his beloved daughter. Neil Cattigan will raise money for Crossbasket House and the Siobhan’s Legacy of Love fund, set up in memory of his...
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GANGLAND GETAWAY DRIVER JAILED
A Bannockburn man who admitted being part of a gang war machete attack on an ally of a crime boss has been locked up for almost four years. Joshua Stewart, 21, was the getaway driver for a crew who targeted the man outside his Edinburgh home last...
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IMPROVEMENT WORKSTOSTART ONDANGERROAD
An accident-prone stretch of road near Blairdrummond is set to see new safety improvements as road chiefs unveil plans to reduce crashes. The area of the A84 near the safari park and the Smiddy has been put in the spotlight, with a petition calling...
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SCHOOL’S FUTUREIS INDOUBT
The future of a prestigious school has been thrown into doubt as a consultation was launched with staff. Fairview International School in Bridge of Allan has announced that discussions are underway amid financial pressures and declining enrolment...
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Mclaughlan to face a standards hearing
A Stirling councillor is facing a standards hearing amid allegations he was disrespectful during a meeting. Stirling East SNP Councillor Gerry Mclaughlan is facing a Standards Commission for Scotland hearing in June. The Standards Commission has...
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Katy’s Cambodia trek
A Bridge of Allan mum is preparing for a gruelling trek in South East Asia to support a local hospice. Katy Whitelaw will walk across Cambodia to raise funds for Strathcarron Hospice in memory of family and friends. She decided to take on the epic...
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Council’s new rural buses
The husband of a brave Stirling woman who became a passionate advocate for assisted dying was “overwhelmed” after hearing his late wife’s words being quoted during a debate. Roger Buchanan said he was disappointed by the rejection of the bill on...
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NEWHUB UNVEILED
Residents in Doune and Deanston are celebrating the official opening of a “cutting edge” community facility. Located in Moray Park, the modern pavilion building will be the main base for the Doune and Deanston Youth Project (DDYP), a charity that...
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MANADMITS ROLEINGANG WAR ATTACK
A Bannockburn man has admitted to his part in a brutal machete attack on an associate of a crime boss during a large-scale gang war. Joshua Stewart, pictured, was the getaway driver for a crew who targeted a man outside his home last May. The victim...
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ENDTHETRAUMA OFCANCER TREATMENT DELAYS
A Dollar mum is calling on cancer treatment delays to be tackled as she told how prompt action saved her own life. Tamsen Livingstone is speaking out after it was revealed that over the past five years, around 17,500 extra people would have started...
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It’spartytime!
A major three-day music festival is set to visit Stirling this summer. BBC Radio 2’s flagship Party in the Park event is coming to City Park in August, with top artists set to perform across two stages. DJ Scott Mills shared the announcement on his...
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WE NEED ANSWERS OVER DIESEL SPILL
The investigation into last week’s diesel spill in Killin is ongoing as questions continue to rage over the cause of the incident and support for businesses and wildlife. Drinking water supplies were finally given the green light for villagers on...
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Plans drawn up for the council budget
Proposals to invest in services and addressing an estimated gap of £10.7million have been drawn up by Stirling Council. Councillors will consider and make the decisions on the budget at a meeting of council on Thursday (February 26). The reports...
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Problems with X10 service between Stirling and Glasgow
Passengers waiting for a“lifeline”rural Stirling bus were left waiting in the cold for hours after issues with the service. The problems with the X10 service between Stirling and Glasgow have been detailed in a written complaint from Buchlyvie...
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RENTHIKEIS GREENLITBY COUNCILLORS
A 5.8 per cent rent increase for tenants was pushed through by Stirling councillors at a special meeting on Monday. It was agreed to introduce the rise following a motion proposed by the ruling SNP administration at Viewforth. Stirling Council leader...
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WATERDISGRACE
Fed-up residents of the Mollands estate in Callander have made renewed calls for a solution to water supply issues linked to a new school development. The streets across from the Callander Community Campus project have been facing long-running...
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Bull to the brim with elite cattle
An Aberdeen Angus bull matched a 60,000-guinea record and prices reached a new high for Beef Shorthorn at the prestigious Stirling Galbraith Bull Sales. The first of two bull sales hosted by United Auctions at Stirling Agricultural Centre this month...
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NHS targets improve as outpatient waiting list mounts to over 17,000
Performance figures in NHS Forth Valley are improving in a number of areas, a board meeting heard last week. But almost 3000 patients are still waiting beyond four hours. For Urgent & Unscheduled Care performance in December in the Emergency...
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PUZZLES EXTRA
Touching tributes have poured in for Sir Andy Murray’s grandfather after the former Stirling Albion footballer passed away at the age of 94. Roy Erskine, Judy Murray’s father, has been described as “a well-known and popular figure in Dunblane”, with...
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CAMPAIGNERS HOPEFUL AFTER CRUNCH A84SAFETY SUMMIT
Campaigners have shared their hopes for safety improvements on an accident-prone stretch of road near Blair Drummond Safari Park following a summit. Transport and council chiefs met with the community to discuss the A84 after a major road safety...
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Anne is honoured to be awarded an MBE
A former staff member of a volunteering organisation has told of her honour after being awarded an MBE. Anne Knox was named in the New Year’s Honours List and has been recognised for services to the good governance of small charities. She worked at...
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‘TOUGHCHOICES’ TOBRIDGE £12.25M FUNDING GAP
Increasing parking charges, reducing bus services and dimming street lighting are among measures being considered by Stirling Council to bridge an estimated £12.25million budget gap. The local authority has launched a new survey setting out potential...
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I fear my son was forced to carry drugs by organised crime gang... now he’s in Qatar prison
The mum of a Balfron teen locked up in a Qatar jail after being accused of being a drugs courier is begging for him to be released - claiming he was under threat from a shadowy criminal gang. Nicola Neil’s 18-yearold son Lino is accused of trafficking...
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MBEISMY LASTING TRIBUTE TOEILIDH
A retired police detective has dedicated an MBE he will officially receive next week to the memory of a Stirling schoolgirl after raising thousands of pounds for a charity in her honour. Johnny Dreczkowski has undergone multiple gruelling challenges...
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THANKYOU!
Businesses and organisations across Stirlingshire have been thanked for playing a vital role in our Give A Gift Appeal. Our effort to provide some Christmas cheer to children and young people during the festive season wouldn’t be possible without the...
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MYHANDSOME LITTLEMIRACLE
It was the most special of Christmases for Riverside mum Nicole Ritchie as she celebrated her“handsome little miracle”. Six-month-old Lochlannalexander Graham was born early during a traumatic birth at Forth Valley Royal Hospital. He enjoyed his...
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PITCHTOBE RENAMED INHONOUR OFSIOBHAN
A Callander rugby pitch where tragic ex-scotland star Siobhan Cattigan used to dazzle is to be renamed in her memory. A charity match in her honour will see players from past, present and future from Mclaren RFC and Strathendrick RFC, based in Fintry,...
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MURRAY ‘FAILED’ BYMETA
The mum of a Dunblane teenager who took his own life after an online sextortion plot has slammed Meta for “failing children”. Murray Dowey, 16, ended his own life after he was blackmailed on Instagram and duped into sending private photos of...
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ANGELOFESCAPE
A Stirling musician has told how he helped a “stampede” escape out of an open-air cinema after being caught up in the Bondi Beach attack. Kian Bentley, 22, was working at the theatre as the horrors unfolded during a Hanukkah event on Sunday. Fifteen...
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17YEARSOFGIVING
Thousands of toys are on their way to children who may otherwise have gone without this Christmas as the people of Stirling proved what this community is made of for the 17th year running. As families across the region face rising pressures, readers...
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DECISIONDAYON TOURISTTAXPLAN
A decision on much-debated plans to introduce a ‘tourist tax’ in Stirling will be made tomorrow as proposed changes to address concerns were revealed. Councillors will be asked to vote on whether to impose a levy on overnight stays at visitor...
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CHARITYHERO RECEIVESHER ROYALREWARD
An “extraordinary” charity stalwart has been presented with a British Empire Medal for providing life-changing opportunities to young people with additional support needs. Heather Hall, a former Killearn Primary and Balfron High Pupil, was presented...
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‘CHALLENGES’ TO STIRLING NIGHTLIFE
A Stirling nightclub boss is calling for more support during the festive season as he warned of the challenges being faced across the country. Dave Thompson, area manager of Castle Leisure Group, which oversees Fubar in the city centre, said a change...
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