Latest news with #StrathcarronHospice
Scotsman
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Check-in to a fun-filled summer at Thistles' Hotel Cali-FUN-ia
Shopping centre to launch budget friendly family fun for the summer holidays Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... This summer, Thistles shopping centre in Stirling invites visitors to check-in to Hotel Cali-FUN-ia, a six-week summer holiday themed interactive 'hotel'. Open daily from Monday 1 July to Saturday 10 August, this immersive experience promises to entertain visitors of all ages over the summer holidays with rooms full of games, music and surprises around every corner. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Guests will have their world turned on its head in the mind-bending upside-down room, then try their hand at hoop-throwing in the retro American diner, tackle the buzz wire challenge in the games room, and dive into fun with foam blocks in the hotel themed bedroom. Check-in is available from 12pm until check-out at 4pm and advanced booking is not required. Thistles to launch budget friendly family fun for the summer holidays There is no cost to take part, but to support the local community, voluntary donations will be collected for Strathcarron Hospice, who will be on hand throughout the 'hotel'. All proceeds will support the hospice's vital work throughout the Forth Valley area. To celebrate the launch of Hotel Cali-FUN-ia, Thistles has partnered with Stirling Highland Hotel to offer one lucky winner an overnight stay for two, including breakfast. For a chance to win, visitors are encouraged to snap a picture at the Hotel Cali-FUN-ia and share it on social media using the hashtag #HotelCaliFUNia and tagging @thistlesstirling. As part of Thistles commitment to offering summer-long fun for families during the school holidays, the much-loved indoor beach is also making a return. Running daily from 1 July to 10 August, between 11am and 3pm, the beach experience is delivered in partnership with Strathcarron Hospice. Children can enjoy 30 minutes of sandy play in exchange for a suggested £2 donation, with all proceeds going directly to support the hospice. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Gary Turnbull, Centre Director at Thistles said:'We're looking forward to welcoming families and visitors to our brand-new Hotel Cali-FUN-ia. This summer-long immersive experience is a first for Thistles and part of our aim to offer fun and free activities for families during the school holidays. 'We're also proud to be continuing our support for Strathcarron Hospice and encourage those who can to donate.' For full event details, visit:
Daily Record
27-06-2025
- Daily Record
Heroic 86-year-old Scot gears up to climb UK's highest mountain in epic charity effort
Murdoch McGregor, 86, is planning on climbing Ben Nevis in July to raise money for Strathcarron Hospice after a close friend spent time in the hospice before her death. An adventurous 86-year-old is preparing to scale the UK's highest mountain – all in a bid to support charity. Murdoch McGregor intends to conquer Ben Nevis to help raise essential funds for Strathcarron Hospice, in Denny. Murdoch, from Sauchie, Clackmannanshire, has set a fundraising target of £5,000 for the hospice when he sets off in July. He was moved to undertake the hike after witnessing a dear friend's final days spent under the compassionate care provided by the hospice. Famed in Clackmannanshire and further afield, intrepid Murdoch holds the distinction of being the oldest individual to complete a solo circumnavigation of the UK coastline by boat. At the British Yachting Awards in London in 2021, he took home the Sailor of the Year accolade, eclipsing some illustrious names in sailing, thanks to the wide admiration garnered from his solitary voyage at 82-years-old. Now at 86, Murdoch is determined to tackle the peak of Ben Nevis, which stands as the tallest mountain across the British Isles. The task of climbing the rugged terrain up to the summit of Ben Nevis, rising 4413-feet above sea level and stretching 10.2-miles, poses a formidable test for anybody, but promises to be an immensely rewarding feat for him. Looking forward to the climb, Murdoch said: "I visited the hospice when it first opened and it really struck me even then what a wondrous place it is. "Much later, I had a close friend cared for there. I will never forget sitting down on a bench at the beautiful pond with her before she died, of my thoughts when I was visiting her and my happy tears at the glorious autumn day we shared as we said our final farewell. "Coming back and visiting Strathcarron now really gives me that inner strength for the challenge – my experience of this place is very special. On this occasion for this challenge I have felt motivated and inspired like never before because I feel part of the Strathcarron family." Murdoch maintains his fitness regime and shared: "I have always liked running and was adventurous when I was a kid. I ran when I was in the army. Being in the army really changed my life and helped with the adventurous spirit and I have always had active jobs, including working as a coalminer and fisherman. "When I was 44 I took up running again and joined Central Region Athletics Club, I've ran marathons, cross country and taken part in hill running – including the Ben Nevis race a few times – and I have tried to keep myself active since I retired." Reflecting on a recent drive, he recounted: "I was driving along looking up at Dumyat last year and was thinking about the days when I used to hill walk. I decided on a whim to attempt to try to do Ben Nevis one more time. "I started training last November and walked up Dumyat with my pal Davie to see how I would get on. I managed it and Davie said ' are surprising me!'. I told him 'I'm surprising myself!'." Currently, Murdoch is undergoing endurance training to ready himself for the monumental challenge, where he will be accompanied by a group of friends, including Frank Harper, a Scottish international marathon runner. Murdoch added: "In my adventures, I have faced many fearsome challenges, many of them at sea in the wildest of conditions, and yet succeeded. Ben Nevis however is a totally different challenge, and given my 86 years, it simply has to be the greatest ever physical challenge of my life. "I love music so for something a bit different I'm aiming to take some song sheets and lyrics for the song 'Climb Every Mountain' from the Sound of Music and try and rope in other walkers who we meet at the top to join in a sing along for an impromptu Ben Nevis choir!". Mel Duffy, Community Fundraiser at Strathcarron Hospice expressed: "We would like to thank Murdoch for taking on this incredible challenge in aid of the Hospice and wish him well on his epic adventure. "We need £19,452 daily to provide our vital services to end of life and palliative care patients and their families when they are most in need. We receive approximately one third of our funding through the NHS and the rest is raised through the generosity and kindness of those like Murdoch and his supporters who fundraise and donate. Every pound is vital so we are grateful for the support."
Daily Record
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Summer fun for the kids at Stirling shopping centre 'hotel'
The popular indoor beach is also making a return to The Thistles over the holidays as part of the interactive 'hotel'. This summer, Thistles shopping centre in Stirling invites visitors to check-in to Hotel Cali-FUN-ia, a six-week summer holiday themed interactive 'hotel'. Open daily from Monday, July 1, to Saturday August 10, this immersive experience promises to entertain visitors of all ages over the summer holidays with rooms full of games, music and surprises around every corner. Guests will have their world turned on its head in the mind-bending upside-down room, then try their hand at hoop-throwing in the retro American diner, tackle the buzz wire challenge in the games room, and dive into fun with foam blocks in the hotel themed bedroom. Check-in is available from noon until check-out at 4pm and advanced booking is not required. There is no cost to take part, but to support the local community, voluntary donations will be collected for Strathcarron Hospice, who will be on hand throughout the 'hotel'. All proceeds will support the hospice's vital work throughout the Forth Valley area. To celebrate the launch of Hotel Cali-FUN-ia, Thistles has partnered with Stirling Highland Hotel to offer one lucky winner an overnight stay for two, including breakfast. For a chance to win, visitors are encouraged to snap a picture at the Hotel Cali-FUN-ia and share it on social media using the hashtag #HotelCaliFUNia and tagging @thistlesstirling. The popular indoor beach is also making a return to the centre. Running daily from July 1 to August 10, between 11am and 3pm, the beach experience is delivered in partnership with Strathcarron Hospice. Children can enjoy 30 minutes of sandy play in exchange for a suggested £2 donation, with all proceeds going directly to support the hospice. Gary Turnbull, Centre Director at Thistles said: 'We're looking forward to welcoming families and visitors to our brand-new Hotel Cali-FUN-ia. This summer-long immersive experience is a first for Thistles and part of our aim to offer fun and free activities for families during the school holidays. 'We're also proud to be continuing our support for Strathcarron Hospice and encourage those who can to donate.'
The Courier
06-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Courier
We found a wedding dress for £150 - and other bargains at Callander charity shop's bridal boutique
Wedding season of 2025 is officially upon us. And whether you're a bridesmaid, a guest, a parent or the bride, finding an outfit for a wedding can be an expensive business. Wedding gowns alone can retail for hundreds or even thousands of pounds. Luckily for Stirling and Perthshire locals, Callander boasts a bridal boutique for those on a budget. Strathcarron Hospice charity shop, on the main drag of the town, dedicates half of its premises to its Preloved Bridal Boutique. 'People travel far and wide to choose their special wedding dress, bridesmaid dress or Mother of the Bride with us,' said a representative for the charity. 'Our shop also has men's suits, so something for everyone. 'Choosing preloved is not only more economical, it is the sustainable option which more and more people are incorporating into their big day.' But what is the stock like, and would you actually wear it to a wedding? Myself and my Courier colleague Debbie Clarke took a trip to Callander to find out. And with help from store manager Ruth Mackay and volunteer Marion Strange, we put together six (almost) wedding-ready looks: The shop had bridal gowns in a range of styles, from long-sleeved 80s numbers complete with pearls and lace to sleek, modern, designer cuts. Size-wise, the wedding dresses ranged from 8-18 on the day we visited – mind you, some have been altered already, so trying on is a must. In almost no time, Debbie found her 'dream dress' – a rhinestone-adorned gown with a subtle sweetheart cut and a slightly dropped waist. The best part? It fit her like a glove. She also managed to find accessories – a tiara and some sparkly peep-toe heels – which added to the look. £150 £10 £15 £175 As well as bridal gowns, the boutique offers a lovely selection of bridesmaid dresses. When we visited, the selection went from sizes 10-20. The modern trend of having bridesmaids pick their own dresses within a set colour palette means charity shop finds are on the cards for the bride's pals more and more. I managed to find a simple, floor-length dress with hand-sewn faux pearls along the neckline in my favourite shade of blue, plus some sparkly shoes in my size. The dress was a little loose around the bust, but could have been easily altered to fit perfectly. I would definitely wear this. I also found 'something borrowed' to complete the look – a tiny metal handbag, which felt super stylish against the soft fabric. £20 £10 £10 £40 In our game of dress up, Ruth graciously joined in to play mother-of-the-bride. Somehow, she'd never tried on the merchandise in her 12 years as manager, so this was new for her. She found a stunning cream dress with intricate grey lace overlay, and a matching hat, both new with tags still on. The hat's original price tag was a whopping £249; but it was being sold here for £35. 'We have to balance the fact they're brand new clothes with the fact that this place is for charity,' Ruth explained. 'Price too high, and no one will buy it. 'Ultimately, it's better for the hospice to get some money than none at all.' And her eagle eye was a huge advantage – this dress looked much better 'on' than on the hanger. She even found some silver peep-toes heels which fit her perfectly – although she said they're 'too high' for dancing. This is why there's always so many bare feet on the dancefloor! £60 £35 £8 £103 Brides should never pick the first dress they try, so our make-believe bride for the day Debbie made sure to find a second option. This princess-cut dress had loads of fun movement on the skirt, raising genuine smiles from the other customers. Like all the dresses, it was in great nick, even down to fine details like the embroidered sparkles. £150 £10 £15 £175 For my second look, I took on the challenge of finding a guest dress. Though I couldn't find much geared towards younger buyers, this Phase Eight dress appealed to me – I love a pop of colour, and I'd been looking for an excuse to try these red shoes. The fit was comfy, and the dress itself was pristine. My only reservation is – does this count as a white dress? I wouldn't want to be that guest. £15 £8 £5.50 £28.50 Florals fall in and out of favour, but flowers never go out of style, and shop volunteer Marion Strange showed how it's done in this painterly frock. Paired with demure navy stilettos and a cheerful pink hat which complimented her purple-red hair, this look was the perfect combo of colourful and classy – ideal for a mother-of-the-bride or guest. £30 £20 £7.50 £57.50
Daily Record
04-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Jewellery designer turning trashed spoons into treasures to raise funds for hospice
Mark Drury, 78, who also volunteers at Strathcarron, was inspired by the BBC programme 'Money for Nothing' - and will be selling his creations at his Stirlingshire studio. A jewellery designer who makes products from old silver spoons will be selling his creations in aid of Strathcarron Hospice as part of Open Studio Stirlingshire June 7-15. Mark Drury, who also volunteers at the hospice, was inspired to fundraise for Strathcarron after wanting to do something for a charity which he felt would impact most on local people's lives. Mark decided to share his story as part of Volunteer Week June 2-8. The 78-year-old started donating money to the hospice from selling his paintings and then decided to create jewellery from old silver spoons after being inspired by the BBC programme 'Money for Nothing', where entrepreneur Sarah Moore saves things from being dumped and transforms them into valuable pieces. Mark, who lives near Doune, said: 'I have always liked silver – it's bright and shiny and I am like a magpie! It is easy and relatively cheap to work with. I could buy a box of cutlery for £45 and create items for sale recycled and sell them for £200 for the hospice. 'People like them because they are handmade, for a charity and silver is very popular at the moment. It is amazing what you can make from something that no one wants anymore!' When Mark retired from his commercial property job aged 54 he says he struggled with the transition to retirement, so decided to go travelling around the world for a few months at a time over seven years. His new experiences across the globe inspired him creatively and he also witnessed the abuse of aid and subsidy in some countries, sparking an interest in how he could help others at a local level in his own area. Aged 61 he enrolled in Glasgow School of Art, followed by Jo Pudelko's Jewellery School in Dunblane. Mark has been making artwork and silver jewellery for seven years with all the proceeds being donated to Strathcarron. Mark said: 'All my life I had worked in a desk job and ran offices dealing with huge commercial property deals. It can be a real problem for men when they retire, to disconnect from the role they have had all their working life. They get the suit, the tie, and the title and they think that is their identity, and then some people struggle when they retire. 'I went back packing all over the world for a few months at a time. I needed the time and space to like myself and find that I had the confidence to try new things and use those skills to help others. Having spent my life behind a desk, I love the tactile side of making things and knowing that it has helped others at the Hospice as a result.' Mark added: 'Two years ago I started volunteering at the hospice after Eileen the Volunteer Co-ordinator had reached out saying the hospice needed people to help. 'I assist the domestic team with duties, serve tea and coffee to patients and their family members and help set up the trollies for lunch. 'When I am there I am no longer Mark Drury the double breasted suit and shiny shoes businesses man – it is a real leveller working at the hospice and I meet a whole range of people. It is extraordinary to find out about the life and experiences they have had – people are really interesting. 'I love the people at Strathcarron and it is an amazingly happy place. The domestic team I work with are absolutely fantastic – we have good fun. They have a great sense of humour! I couldn't have been stuffy or I wouldn't have lasted! It has been a real insight into people, I have learnt a lot. 'Volunteering at the hospice has made me realise it's about enjoying the moment and realising that by helping others you get as much, if not more, than what you give. There is a wonderful feel good factor and sense of self-worth and contribution. 'To know that me bringing my energy into a room can help make a patient's day so much better, that's a nice thing. It is what being human is all about – these connections.' Mark Drury is taking part in Open Studios Stirlingshire in aid of Strathcarron Hospice June 7-14, at this studio at Northland House off the B826, KY16 6AD. For more information visit
