The Summer School will be taking place at the University of Stirling.
The information below applied to the 2024 school and will be updated for 2025 as planning progresses.
Location map
View Larger Map – Download campus map
Getting to Stirling
From the south, a frequent train service to Stirling runs from Edinburgh Waverley or Glasgow Queen Street, both operated by ScotRail. Those starting north of Stirling probably already know how to get there. Use the National Rail Enquiries website for timetable information and ticket prices.
The Citylink 909 also provides a direct bus link from Edinburgh Airport to Stirling campus six times a day, which may be a useful option for anyone coming from overseas.
Getting to the University campus from Stirling city centre
Bus services in and around Stirling are now operated by McGills.
The fastest bus from Stirling station to the University is the UniLink service, which runs every half an hour during the summer months. A slower and more erratic service is provided by the 54, but if it’s the first thing that comes you might as well get it.
Fares are a bit of a Rutherford scattering experiment, in that it’s a case of ask for a ticket and see what comes back. They can be around £3, but you may find you get a substantial reduction with a student ID (or even just look like a student). You can pay contactless, or even with cash.
You can choose to disembark at the stop near the campus entrance on University Road West. To reach the accommodation from here, you should walk up Hermitage Road to Juniper Court. Alternatively you can disembark at the central campus hub, which is between Stirling Court Hotel and the Cottrell Building. From here, you will need to walk through the main building and cross the bridge over the lake to reach the accommodation blocks.
Other ways to reach the University campus
A comprehensive set of directions can be found on the University of Stirling website. Walking from Bridge of Allan station is do-able if you are not heavily encumbered with luggage.
Accommodation and check-in
All accommodation is in Juniper Court which is the location marked on the map above (Building number 8 on the campus map).
Check-in is from 3pm on the first day at the Juniper Court reception.
All rooms are single en-suite, and bedding and towels are provided.
Registration
A registration desk will be open from 4pm at the Stirling Court Hotel (the green building near the bottom of the campus map).
The school will formally begin with dinner and a drinks reception at 7pm on the first day. These take place in the conservatory at the Stirling Court Hotel.
Meals
All meals will be taken at the Stirling Court Hotel at the following times:
- Breakfast: 7.30-8.30am
- Lunch: 12.30-1.30pm
- Dinner: 7.00-8.00pm
The exception to this is lunch on the free day when you will be provided instead with a packed lunch at breakfast time so you can go off for the day and do your own thing.
Classes
All classes will take place in rooms C2B85 and C2B87 in the Cottrell Building (building number 6 on the campus map).
Facilities / Things to do
A range of facilities are on campus and available for us during the School. These include:
- Swimming pool (Free to use as guests of the University, but unfortunately sometimes closed for annual maintenance during August. You need to bring a padlock if you wish to secure the locker while swimming.)
- Gym
- Arts Centre / Cinema (It’s pronounced Mac-Robert, not Macro-Bert)
- Bike hire
- Laundry (wash £2.60-£3 / dry £1.20: operated by contactless, detergent included)
- Pharmacy / Health centre
- Café and convenience store
Information about other things to do is available. The Wallace Monument is right on the doorstep, and Stirling Castle is also worth a visit.
Departure
The School will end with lunch at 12.30pm on the last day.