Reviewing the Inventory record for the University of Stirling (Airthrey Castle)

Closed 10 Jul 2024

Opened 29 May 2024

Contact

Designations

0131 668 8914

designations@hes.scot

Feedback updated 9 Oct 2024

We asked

From 29 May to 10 July 2024, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) sought views on a proposal to amend the Inventory site, Airthrey Castle in Stirling.

We proposed to

  • amend the text of the inventory record to recognise more clearly the interest of the 20th century campus landscape
  • change the inventory name to University of Stirling (Airthrey Castle)

The University of Stirling was founded in 1964 as part of the wider government agenda to develop and expand tertiary education near small urban centres across the United Kingdom. It has outstanding artistic interest for the development of the campus within the framework of the 18th-19th century picturesque landscape, and outstanding architectural interest for its collection of buildings. These include innovative Modernist buildings that respond to the parkland setting.

Through Citizen Space, we invited members of the public to tell us if they agreed with the proposed amendment and if they had further comments to make.

We consulted directly with Stirling Council as the planning authority and the owners and occupiers of the site.

Our selection guidance for designation and the policies we work to are published in the Designations Policy and Selection Guidance document.  

You said

We received a total of 2 responses to consultation. None of the responses raised issues that brought into question the cultural significance of the site for amendment.  There were no responses to our online survey. 

We did

After considering the comments received during consultation, we have amended the Inventory site as proposed:

Link to Portal - Airthrey Castle, Stirling University, DLRP (GDL00010) (300060192) (historicenvironment.scot)

Link to Amended Record - University of Stirling (Airthrey Castle) (GDL00010) (historicenvironment.scot)

Overview

Airthrey Castle is recognised for its national importance on the inventory of gardens and designed landscapes.

We propose to

  • amend the text of the inventory record to recognise more clearly the interest of the 20th century campus landscape
  • change the inventory name to University of Stirling (Airthrey Castle)

We do not propose any changes to the inventory boundary.

View across Airthrey Loch, blue sky, tree branches at top, white buildings to right, distant trees and buildings

View across Airthrey Loch © Historic Environment Scotland

The University of Stirling was founded in 1964 as part of the wider government agenda to develop and expand tertiary education near small urban centres across the United Kingdom. It has outstanding artistic interest for the development of the campus within the framework of the 18th-19th century picturesque landscape, and outstanding architectural interest for its collection of buildings. These include innovative Modernist buildings that respond to the parkland setting.

We are now gathering views on the changes we propose.

This work forms part of our Designed Landscapes of the Recent Past project, which aims to identify, record and celebrate gardens and designed landscapes from 1945 to the early 2000s.

Read more about why we think the University of Stirling (Airthrey Castle) is of national importance by downloading our Report of Handling

How we designate gardens and designed landscapes

We designate gardens and designed landscapes of national importance. A dedicated team researches and assesses all designation applications.

Why your views matter

We’d love to know whether you agree with our proposal.

To help you respond to the following survey, please read why we think the University of Stirling (Airthrey Castle) is of national importance for the inventory by downloading our Report of Handling

You can tell us if you agree with our proposal by completing the short questionnaire below. 

This questionnaire usually takes 5 minutes to complete.

Find out what comments we consider and what happens next in our consultation guide or watch our designations video on YouTube.

You can also watch a version of this video in British Sign Language.