News

City's Victorian Prison Welcoming New Inmates

The cells of Stirling’s Old Town Jail, which have housed debtors, thieves, and criminals of every description since first opening in 1847, are now receiving another intake of new arrivals - visitors to the city who are enjoying a fascinating insight into how the Victorians dealt with crime and punishment.

‘Notorious’

The Old Town Jail is open every day, with live prison tours introducing visitors to some of the characters who made their mark on the jail back in the 19th Century, from the notorious hangman Jock Rankine, through to the governors and reformers who sought to transform the culture for the treatment of criminals, from one of brutal punishment to one where they were reformed for their return to society.

‘Incredible’

Visitors to the Old Town Jail are also be able to hear the incredible stories of exactly how prisoners were treated in Victorian times, if they were unfortunate enough to find themselves sentenced to spend time behind bars.

The location of the Old Town Jail means that it is often the starting point for visitors exploring Stirling’s most historic quarter, which includes the Tolbooth, the Church of the Holy Rude, Argyll’s Lodging, and of course Stirling Castle, where the historic Royal Palace will be re-opening in 2011, on completion of a major restoration.

Enjoy a great day out by train

Bring the family to Stirling - the kids go free!

Hop on a train this Summer and make tracks for Stirling to enjoy a great day out.

With ScotRail’s fantastic Kids Go Free tickets, up to two children can travel free with every adult, on off-peak trains, all week.

PLUS - there’s free admission for children(*) at Stirling’s famous National Wallace Monument and fascinating Old Town Jail.

There’s lots to explore and enjoy in Stirling, from the incredible buildings in the city’s Old Town, through to first-class shopping in the Thistle Centre, and a choice of great family-friendly restaurants.

Plan your day out in Stirling now - and for further information on ScotRail’s great Kids Go Free tickets, click here.

(*) - One free child’s admission with each adult paying the standard charge.

Summer in Stirling

Dancing and Piping Displays at Stirling Castle

Every Tuesday evening in July and August (7.15pm until 8.15pm). Each week a local dancing school will perform a display of traditional Highland dancing, and one of the area's many award-winning pipe bands will provide a stirring performance of traditional music.

New for 2010 - Follow the Jail Trail

It could lead to a prize!

There’s a choice of activities for children visiting Stirling’s Old Town Jail in 2010, including the ever-popular Beastie Hunt, and the new Jail Trail, a special quiz with easy-to-answer questions about the city’s famous Victorian prison. Correct entries are submitted into a Weekly Prize Draw, with a Jail Trail participant being drawn each week to receive a souvenir gift.

Did you know?...

Times have changed since the days when the Old Town Jail was built and received its first inmates - and some of the statistics from the middle of the 19th Century make interesting reading for today’s visitors!

For example - the site on which the Old Town Jail stands was purchased in 1845 for just £2,042 (about £105,000 in current money values), and the building itself was constructed for £9,639 - 13s. - 4d., or about £564,000 in today’s terms.

‘Expensive’

Keeping a convicted criminal in jail in the 1800s was an expensive business too - in 1848 the annual cost of housing a prisoner in Stirling was £11 15s. 1d., which included £5 3s. 2d. for their food. At today’s values, that works out at about £301.92 for food, or just over £5.80 per week!

The average earnings of each prisoner in Stirling in 1848 was £2 16s. 3d.

If you want to see how currency values and spending power has changed since Victorian days, go to www.nationalarchives.gov.uk, where you’ll find a useful currency converter.

1847 was also a cold year!

With temperatures dropping so low in January 2010 that curlers took to the frozen waters of the Lake Of Menteith, raising the possibility of a bonspiel grand match taking place, it is interesting to reflect that it was in the year 1847 that the very first such event was held, in Penicuik, just outside the city of Edinburgh. 1847 also saw the birth of Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, the opening of Perth Railway Station, and of course the completion of Stirling Old Town Jail. The rest, as they say, is history!