Stirling is known as the ‘gateway to the Highlands’ due to the city’s southerly central location. With evidence of human activity dating back to the Stone Age, the ancient capital of Scotland has always been a favoured spot because of its position on the River Forth.
The city is synonymous with William Wallace, who used Stirling as a stronghold during the War of Scottish Independence. Today, his monument, together with other sites of interest, such as Stirling Castle, help support a large tourism sector.
‘Stirling is a wee city with a big history’ says Specsavers ophthalmic director Julie Pritchard. Although Stirling is classed as a city, she says the settlement is still small enough to have a community feel.
In addition to serving native 'Stirlingers', the 43-strong team sees a large number of overseas students. ‘We have a large contact lens patient base as well, with more than 2,100 contact lens patients on a regular replacement scheme with ourselves,’ Pritchard adds.
With ‘a diverse patient base’, the optom director says she comes across ‘a variety of different eye conditions’. Currently, Pritchard (pictured) is working with other health care institutions in the area to make services more efficient. ‘We have direct referral links with the local eye hospital in Forth Valley so you can speak with them directly regarding any emergency appointments,’ Pritchard says.
Owner of Optical Illusion Scott Houston has been working in optics for 30 years, but he is new to running a practice. ‘Our bread and butter has been glazing,' he says.
Houston’s practice was born last autumn when he decided to convert a small ‘storage space’ into a test room, describing it as a ‘toe in the water’ exercise. He now has a growing clientele and is pleased with how things are progressing. ‘It’s very early at the moment but the retail side of things is quite buoyant at the minute,’ he says.
The optical technician admits that footfall is low and, along with other small business owners, he has made suggestions to the council as to how this can be improved. Yet, their opinions have fallen on deaf ears. ‘Unfortunately, the council just seem to have their own thoughts on how to do this,’ he says.
If his services become more popular with the locals, Houston realises that he may have to relocate his business entirely. ‘We will move to bigger premises if we have to,’ he says.
Who’s in town
Total: 8
Independents: 3
Multiples: 5
Average costs
Routine free eye examination costs are covered by the Scottish government NHS budget.
Population - see pie chart
Estimated Stirling city population: 36,440
Stirling Council population: 93,750 (ONS 2017)
Community eye care
NHS Forth Valley provides the following speciality eye clinics: Paediatric Care, Corneal External Disease, Ocular Dystonia, Immunosuppression, Lacrimal Assessment, Medical Retina/Macula Disease, Glaucoma, One Stop Lid Surgery, Uveitis and Adult & Children's Low Vision.
Health and affluence
- The average house price is £175,918 (Zoopla) compared with a UK average of £223,257 (Land Registry, 2017)
- Stirling has an average salary of £ 20,259 (ONS, 2011) compared with a UK average of £27,271 (PayScale, 2018)
- In 2015, there were 1,880 people living with diabetic retinopathy in Stirling (RNIB Sight Loss Data Tool)
- There were an estimated 0 people living with late stage age-related macular degeneration in 2016 (RNIB)
Fact file
- Mary, Queen of Scots spent most of her childhood at Stirling Castle. Her coronation took place in the Chapel Royal in 1543 and she ruled Scotland for 25 years.
- Leeds United legend Billy Bremner was born in Stirling. The midfielder won the old First Division twice with the Yorkshire outfit and represented his country 54 times.
- Sticking with the beautiful game, the world’s oldest football is currently on display at the Smith Museum in Stirling. The ball was given to a young Queen Mary as a present and experts believe it could be more than 500 years old.
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