Stirling residents in three neighbourhoods are being asked to help shape how their streets and public spaces will look under a council-led public art and place improvement programme.
Funding and areas covered
The scheme, called The Living Neighbourhoods: Connected Places, is a partnership between Stirling Council and community arts charity Artlink Central. It is supported by £348,435 of funding from the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme, and targets three locations in the Stirling area: Borestone and Morrison Drive, Raploch Village Square and Darnley Park at the Top of the Town.
| Neighbourhood | Planned work |
|---|---|
| Borestone & Morrison Drive | Murals, seating, lighting, signage and other improvements |
| Raploch Village Square | Public artworks and community-led improvements |
| Darnley Park (Top of the Town) | Park enhancements and art-led placemaking |
How residents can take part
A series of community events will gather feedback and ideas from local people. The council says those sessions will give residents, businesses, schools and community groups a direct say in the design and delivery of murals, seating, lighting and signage. The project is due to be delivered between autumn 2026 and spring 2027.
- Community events to gather views and design ideas
- Artists working with local people to create murals and artworks
- Physical improvements including seating, lighting and signage
Council view and community engagement
Councillor Gerry McLaughlan, convener of the finance, economy and culture committee, said the funding was being allocated to "communities with greatest need" and that the work would help create a "more welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike".
"Our decision to allocate funding for these three projects ensures resources are directed to communities with greatest need and will also help to provide a more welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike."
He added the council had already begun engagement with local people, with Artlink Central working alongside community development officers who have existing relationships in the neighbourhoods. The murals are expected to reflect local histories while looking forward, and the forthcoming events are designed to let residents discuss their visions directly with the artists.
What this means locally
For residents the programme promises more than decorative artwork. The combination of seating, lighting and clearer signage is intended to make public spaces easier and more pleasant to use, potentially increasing footfall through local squares and parks. Community-led designs can strengthen local identity and foster pride, but their success will depend on the depth of engagement and whether proposals reflect everyday needs as well as aesthetic ideas.
Artlink Central’s role is described as central to ensuring local voices shape outcomes. For neighbourhoods such as Raploch and the Top of the Town, where public spaces are important meeting points, the physical changes could affect how people move around and linger in those areas. For Borestone and Morrison Drive, the interventions may be part of broader efforts to revitalise parades and communal streets.
Residents who want to take part should look out for details of the consultation events from Stirling Council and Artlink Central. The council says community development officers will help ensure the proposals are rooted in local views gathered at those sessions.
