Why it Matters for Stirling
Why The Burgh Meadows Matters for Stirling
Economic impact. Community benefit. Heritage preservation. Jobs. A vision that lifts the entire city.
The Burgh Meadows
The Burgh Meadows isn’t a private project. It’s a community wealth building model designed to benefit Stirling at every level – economically, culturally, and socially.
Here’s what it delivers:
JOBS & EMPLOYMENT
- 17 permanent positions at Ceangail (events, hospitality, training, heritage)
- 200+ construction jobs during build phase
- Supply chain jobs (catering, maintenance, operations)
- Tourism-sector careers for graduates of Skills Connect Academy
Why it matters: Stirling's economy grows. Young people have pathways to meaningful careers.
TOURISM REVENUE
- £3m+ annual economic impact (visitor spending, accommodation, F&B, events)
- Estimated 50,000+ annual visitors by Year 3
- Extended visitor stays (thanks to bunkhouse accommodation)
- Regional draw status - attracting people from across Scotland
Why it matters: Stirling becomes a destination, not just a pass-through. Hotels, restaurants, and retailers benefit.
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
- Walking, running, cycling trails (2.5+ km of active travel infrastructure)
- Public event space (10,000 capacity for community gatherings)
- Outdoor recreation accessible to all fitness levels
- Dog-friendly, family-friendly, disability-accessible design
Why it matters: Locals have new spaces to be active, gather, and connect. Mental and physical health improve.
EVENTS HUB STATUS
- 10,000-capacity sports ground for major events
- Saves the Stirling Highland Games (iconic annual event at risk from rising costs)
- Regional venue for conferences, competitions, and cultural events
- Year-round programming (not seasonal)
Why it matters: Stirling becomes known as Scotland's events destination. Business events bring spending. Cultural events strengthen identity.
HERITAGE PRESERVATION
- Archaeological significance of the Forth fjord brought to life
- Heritage boards tells Borrowmeadow Farm's story and Stirling's broader history
- Heritage Observation Deck offers new experiences (fjord views, Cambuskenneth Abbey views)
- Chieftains Trees project: 1 tree per Games Chieftain since 1984 (40+ trees representing 40 years of Games leadership)
Why it matters: Stirling's history isn't lost - it's celebrated and monetised. Young people learn heritage. Visitors connect with place.
TRAINING & SKILLS HUB
- Ceangail's Skills Connect Academy expands to train 1,380 young people annually
- Tourism and hospitality pathway for school leavers
- Employability skills development
- Local talent pipeline for Stirling's growing tourism sector
Why it matters: Young people stay in Stirling or return after training. Local talent fills local jobs.
HEALTHIER LIVING
- New outdoor recreation infrastructure removes barriers to activity
- Accessible trails for all abilities
- Community gathering spaces for events and socializing
- Direct connection between physical activity and mental health outcomes
Why it matters: Public health improves. Healthcare costs decrease. Community wellbeing increases.
CONNECTED LOCATION
- Prime position on public transport routes (bus network)
- Easy access from Stirling city center (20-minute walk/10-minute bus)
- Regional accessibility (central Scotland location)
- Parking and transit solutions built into design
Why it matters: Visitors don't need a car. Locals can access easily. Regional draw is maximized.
The Business Case
The Economics of Community Wealth Building
The Burgh Meadows works because Ceangail operates it. As a not-for-profit social enterprise:
- Revenue from operations (events, bistro, room hire, accommodation, training) funds payroll, maintenance, and expansion
- Profit reinvests in community (more training, more jobs, more community events)
- Sustainable model reduces dependency on grants and allows Ceangail to scale without draining Stirling Council resources
- Risk mitigation – Ceangail has 10 years of event experience and community relationships
This isn’t speculation. This is a proven social enterprise model scaling impact.
Reasons to Support the Vision
Seven Reasons Stirling Should Back This Project
1. It solves a real problem. Event costs are unsustainable. The Stirling Highland Games is at risk. The Burgh Meadows fixes this.
2. It’s shovel-ready. Pre-planning done. Heritage assessments done. Feasibility studies done. We’re ready to build.
3. It’s community-owned. Not a private developer extracting value. A social enterprise reinvesting profits.
4. It creates jobs now and later. Construction jobs during build. Permanent jobs at operation. Training pipeline for young people.
5. It attracts investment. Place Based investment ready. Private investment attracted by strong business case.
6. It regenerates waste land. Brownfield site becomes thriving destination. Environmental remediation. No greenfield loss.
7. It’s replicable. The Burgh Meadows model can be applied to other underutilised Stirling assets.