Stirling (council area)

{{Short description|Council area of Scotland}} {{About|the modern administrative area|the county|Stirlingshire}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}} {{Use British English|date=August 2024}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Stirling | native_name = {{Unbulleted list |{{native name|gd|Sruighlea}} |{{native name|sco|Stirlin}} }} | settlement_type = Council area | image_skyline = | imagesize = | image_alt = | image_caption = | image_flag = | flag_alt = | image_shield = Stirling_arms.png | shield_alt = | shield_link = | image_blank_emblem = | blank_emblem_size = | blank_emblem_type = | blank_emblem_link = | etymology = | nickname = | motto = | image_map = Stirling UK location map.svg | map_alt = | map_caption = Stirling shown within Scotland | coordinates = {{coord|56.5000|N|4.0000|W|region:GB_type:adm2nd|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Sovereign state | subdivision_name = United Kingdom | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = Scotland | subdivision_type2 = | subdivision_name2 = | subdivision_type3 = Lieutenancy area | subdivision_name3 = Stirling and Falkirk | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | established_title = Incorporated | established_date = 16 May 1975 | established_title1 = Unitary authority | established_date1 = 1 April 1996 | named_for = Stirling | seat_type = Administrative{{nbsp}}HQ | seat = Stirling | parts_type = | parts =  | government_footnotes = <ref name="Council leadership">{{cite web |url=https://www.stirling.gov.uk/council-and-committees/ |title=Council and committees |website=Stirling Council |access-date=24 August 2024}}</ref> | government_type = Council | governing_body = Stirling Council | leader_title = Control | leader_name = {{UK council control|GSS=S12000030}} | leader_title1 = | leader_name1 = | leader_title2 = | leader_name2 = | leader_title3 = MPs | leader_name3 = Chris Kane (L) | leader_title4 = MSPs | leader_name4 = {{unbulleted list |Keith Brown (SNP) |Evelyn Tweed (SNP) }}   | area_footnotes = <ref name="popstats">{{UK subdivision statistics citation}}</ref> | area_total_km2 = {{UK subdivision area|GSS=S12000030}} | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | area_rank = {{Scottish council area rank|GSS=S12000030}}  | population_footnotes = <ref name="popstats" /> | population_as_of = {{UK subdivision statistics year}} | population_total = {{UK subdivision population|GSS=S12000030}} | population_rank = {{Scottish council population rank|GSS=S12000030}} | population_density_km2 = {{UK subdivision density|GSS=S12000030}} | population_demonym =  | demographics_type1 = | demographics1_footnotes = | demographics1_title1 = | demographics1_info1 =  | demographics_type2 = | demographics2_footnotes = | demographics2_title1 = | demographics2_info1 = | timezone1 = GMT | utc_offset1 = +0 | timezone1_DST = BST | utc_offset1_DST = +1  | postal_code_type = Postcode areas | postal_code = | area_code_type = Dialling codes | area_code = | iso_code = GB-STG | blank1_name = GSS code | blank1_info = S12000030 | website = {{URL|stirling.gov.uk}} }} The '''Stirling council area''' ({{langx|sco|Stirlin}}; {{langx|gd|Sruighlea}}) is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and has an estimated population of {{UK subdivision population|GSS=S12000030}} ({{UK subdivision statistics year}}).<ref name="popstats"/> It was created in 1975 as a lower-tier district within the Central region. The district covered parts of the historic counties of Stirlingshire and Perthshire, which were abolished for local government purposes. In 1996 the Central region was abolished and Stirling Council took over all local government functions within the area.

The administrative centre of the area is the city of Stirling, with the headquarters at Old Viewforth.

The area borders the council areas of Clackmannanshire (to the east), North Lanarkshire (to the south), Falkirk (to the south east), Perth and Kinross (to the north and north east), Argyll and Bute (to the north and north west), and both East and West Dunbartonshire to Stirling's southwest.

The majority of the population of the area is located in its southeast corner, in the city of Stirling and in the surrounding lowland communities: Bridge of Allan and Dunblane to the north, Bannockburn to the immediate south, and the three former coal mining communities of Cowie, Fallin, and Plean, known collectively as the "Eastern Villages".

The rest of the council area's population is sparsely distributed across the rural, mainly highland, expanse in the north and west of the area. The southern half of this rural area comprises the flat western floodplain of the River Forth, bounded on the south by the Touch Hills and the Campsie Fells. North of the glen lie the Trossachs mountains, and the northern half of the council area is generally mountainous in character.

==History== Stirling district was created in 1975 under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, which abolished Scotland's counties, burghs and landward districts and replaced them with upper-tier regions and lower-tier districts. Stirling was one of three districts within the Central region. As created in 1975 the Stirling district covered five districts from Stirlingshire and four districts from Perthshire, which were all abolished at the same time:<ref name=1973act>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973|year=1973|chapter=65|accessdate=16 April 2023}}</ref>

''From Perthshire:'' *Callander Burgh *Doune Burgh *Dunblane Burgh *Western District, except Ardoch (which went to Perth and Kinross)

''From Stirlingshire:'' *Bridge of Allan Burgh *Central No. 1 District *Stirling Burgh *Western No. 1 District *Western No. 2 District

The new district and its neighbour Falkirk were together made a new Stirling and Falkirk lieutenancy area. The last Lord Lieutenant of Stirlingshire became the first Lord Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Lord-Lieutenants Order 1975|year=1975|number=428|accessdate=16 April 2023}}</ref>

Local government was reformed again in 1996 under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, which abolished the regions and districts which had been created in 1975, replacing them with unitary council areas. Central Region was abolished and each of the area's three districts, including Stirling, became council areas. Stirling District Council was therefore replaced by the current Stirling Council.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994|year=1994|chapter=39|accessdate=16 April 2023}}</ref>

==Demography== ===Languages=== The 2022 Scottish Census reported that out of 90,451 residents aged three and over, 27,348 (30.2%) considered themselves able to speak or read the Scots language , 148 people (0.29%) reported Scots was their "main language".<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/|title=Home|website=Scotland's Census}}</ref>

The 2022 Scottish Census reported that out of 90,449 residents aged three and over, 1,202 (1.3%) considered themselves able to speak or read Gaelic, five people (0.01%) reported Gaelic was their "main language".<ref name="auto1"/>

==Governance== {{Infobox legislature | name = Stirling | native_name = | transcription_name = | legislature = | coa_pic = Stirling Council.svg | coa_res = 150px | house_type = | body = | houses = | leader1_type = Provost | leader1 = Rosemary Fraser | party1 = <br />SNP | election1 = 10 December 2025 | leader2_type = Leader | leader2 = Susan McGill | party2 = <br/>SNP | election2 = 10 November 2025 | leader3_type = Chief Executive (interim) | leader3 = Brian Roberts | party3 =  | election3 = June 2025<ref>{{cite web |title=Update statement regarding Chief Executive |url=https://www.stirling.gov.uk/news/update-statement-regarding-chief-executive/ |website=Stirling Council |access-date=26 August 2025 |date=18 June 2025}}</ref> | members = 23 councillors | house1 = | house2 = | structure1 = Stirling Council 2025.svg | structure1_res = 250px | political_groups1 = ; Administration (12) : {{Color box|{{party color|Scottish National Party}}|border=darkgray}} SNP (10) : {{Color box|{{party color|Scottish Greens}}|border=darkgray}} Green (1) : {{Color box|{{party color|Independent politician}}|border=darkgray}} Independent (1) ; Other parties (11) : {{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} Labour (4) : {{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}| border=darkgray}} Conservative (7)}} | committees1 = | committees2 = | joint_committees = | voting_system1 = Single transferable vote | voting_system2 = | last_election1 = 5 May 2022 | next_election1 = 6 May 2027 | session_room = File:Viewforth House Stirling.jpg | session_res = | meeting_place = Old Viewforth, Pitt Terrace, Stirling, FK8{{nbsp}}2ET | website = {{URL|www.stirling.gov.uk}} | footnotes = }}

===Political control=== The council has been under no overall control since 2007. Following the 2022 election a Labour minority administration formed to run the council.<ref>{{cite web |title=Labour administration to lead Stirling Council |url=https://www.stirling.gov.uk/news/labour-administration-to-lead-stirling-council/ |website=Stirling Council |access-date=31 July 2024 |date=19 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Labour form minority administration on Stirling Council |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-61439852 |access-date=31 July 2024 |work=BBC News |date=19 May 2022}}</ref> Efforts by the Scottish National Party as the largest party on the council to take over the leadership in February 2025 were unsuccessful, with the council narrowly voting for the Labour minority administration to continue.<ref name=Marjoribanks/> In October 2025 the SNP gained a seat following a by-election in Stirling East, and in November 2025 a deal was agreed between the SNP and Green and independent councillors to take control of the council.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/25610495.snp-seize-control-stirling-council-scottish-labour-ousted/|title=SNP seize control of Stirling Council as Scottish Labour ousted|date=10 November 2025|publisher=The National|access-date=13 November 2025|author=Xander Elliards}}</ref>

The first election to Stirling District Council was held in 1974, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new system came into force on 16 May 1975. A shadow authority was again elected in 1995 ahead of the change to council areas which came into force on 1 April 1996. Political control since 1975 has been as follows:<ref name=compositions>{{cite web |title=Compositions Calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/composition_calc.html |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=The Elections Centre |publisher=University of Exeter}} (Put "Stirling" in search box to see specific results.)</ref>

'''Stirling District Council''' {| class="wikitable" |- !colspan="2"|Party in control!!Years |- | {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1975–1984 |- | {{Party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || 1984–1988 |- | {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1988–1996 |}

'''Stirling Council''' {| class="wikitable" |- !colspan="2"|Party in control!!Years |- | {{Party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || 1996–1999 |- | {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1999–2003 |- | {{Party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || 2003–2007 |- | {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2007–present |}

===Leadership=== The role of provost is largely ceremonial in Stirling. They chair full council meetings and act as the council's civic figurehead. Political leadership is provided by the leader of the council. The first leader of the council, Corrie McChord, had been the last leader of the Central Regional Council.<ref name=TS27Mar1996/> The leaders since 1996 have been:

{| class=wikitable ! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To |- | Corrie McChord<ref name=TS27Mar1996>{{cite news |title=The changing face of Scotland |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0000540%2F19960327&page=5 |access-date=18 August 2025 |work=The Scotsman |date=27 March 1996 |location=Edinburgh |page=5}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=SNP in shock bid to grasp power |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/snp-shock-bid-grasp-power-2779998 |access-date=26 August 2025 |work=Daily Record |date=11 March 2008}}</ref><ref name=12Mar2008/> || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|1 Apr 1996|| align=right|12 Mar 2008 |- | Graham Houston<ref name=12Mar2008>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 12 March 2008 |url=https://minutes.stirling.gov.uk/media/isof0tqf/sc20080312.pdf |website=Stirling Council |access-date=26 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Labour / Tory deal at Stirling Council ousts SNP |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-18008844 |access-date=26 August 2025 |work=BBC News |date=10 May 2012}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish National Party}} || align=right|12 Mar 2008 || align=right|May 2012 |- | Corrie McChord<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 17 May 2012 |url=https://minutes.stirling.gov.uk/media/pnbhqy04/sc20120517.pdf |website=Stirling Council |access-date=26 August 2025}}</ref><ref name=28Feb2013/> || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|17 May 2012 || align=right|28 Feb 2013 |- | Johanna Boyd<ref name=28Feb2013>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 28 February 2013 |url=https://minutes.stirling.gov.uk/media/ywmlfkt0/sc20130228.pdf |website=Stirling Council |access-date=26 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Burns |first1=Janice |title=Going Local: All change in Stirling as leaders of Labour-Conservative partnership bow out |url=https://www.thenational.scot/politics/15243170.going-local-all-change-in-stirling-as-leaders-of-labour-conservative-partnership-bow-out/ |access-date=26 August 2025 |work=The National |date=25 April 2017}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|28 Feb 2013 || align=right|May 2017 |- | Scott Farmer<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 24 May 2017 |url=https://minutes.stirling.gov.uk/media/m2ebfzwj/sc20170524.pdf |website=Stirling Council |access-date=26 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Richards |first1=Xander |title=Stirling Council: Labour strikes 'grubby' deal with Tories to lock SNP out |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/20144208.stirling-council-labour-strikes-grubby-deal-tories-lock-snp/ |access-date=26 August 2025 |work=The National |date=17 May 2022}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish National Party}} || align=right|24 May 2017 || align=right|May 2022 |- | Chris Kane<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 19 May 2022 |url=https://minutes.stirling.gov.uk/media/vrbeonnt/sc20220519.pdf |website=Stirling Council |access-date=26 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Watson |first1=Alex |title=Stirling MP Chris Kane accused of 'double-jobbing' after stepping down as council leader |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/scottish-politics/5080837/chris-kane-stirling-council-replaced/ |access-date=26 August 2025 |work=The Courier |date=12 September 2024}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|19 May 2022 || align=right|12 Sep 2024 |- | Margaret Brisley<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 12 September 2024 |url=https://minutes.stirling.gov.uk/media/dtjoaupq/stirling-council-12-september-2024-special.pdf |website=Stirling Council |access-date=26 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.stirling.gov.uk/news/cllr-margaret-brisley-appointed-as-stirling-council-leader |title=Cllr Margaret Brisley appointed as Stirling Council Leader |date=12 Sep 2024 |website=Stirling Council |publisher=Stirling Council |access-date=28 Oct 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Stirling Council leader Margaret Brisley dies aged 79 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c238vvz091mo |access-date=26 August 2025 |work=BBC News |date=28 October 2024}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|12 Sep 2024 || align=right|27 Oct 2024 |- | Gerry McGarvey<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 6 February 2025 |url=https://minutes.stirling.gov.uk/media/1jkfstvi/sc20250206-hra.pdf |website=Stirling Council |access-date=26 August 2025}}</ref><ref name=Marjoribanks>{{cite news |last1=Marjoribanks |first1=Kaiya |title=New Stirling Council leader elected after SNP take over bid fails by single vote |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/new-stirling-council-leader-elected-34667107 |access-date=26 August 2025 |work=Daily Record |date=12 February 2025}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|6 Feb 2025 || align=right|10 Nov 2025 |- | Susan McGill<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyv82r5p3qpo|title=SNP take over running of Stirling Council|date=10 November 2025|website=BBC News}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish National Party}} || align=right|10 Nov 2025 | |}

===Composition=== Following the 2022 election and subsequent by-elections and changes of allegiance, the composition of the council was:

{| class="wikitable" ! rowspan=2| Date ! class="unsortable" style="width:50px;" |SNP ! class="unsortable" style="width:50px;" |Con ! class="unsortable" style="width:50px;" |Lab ! class="unsortable" style="width:50px;" |Green ! class="unsortable" style="width:50px;" |Ind ! class="unsortable" style="width:50px;" |Vacant ! rowspan="2" | Reason ! rowspan="2" | Leader |- ! data-sort-type="number" style="background:{{party color|Scottish National Party}};" | ! data-sort-type="number" style="background:{{party color|Scottish Conservatives}};" | ! data-sort-type="number" style="background:{{party color|Scottish Labour}};" | ! data-sort-type="number" style="background:{{party color|Scottish Greens}};" | ! data-sort-type="number" style="background:{{party color|Independent politician}};" | ! data-sort-type="number" style="background:{{party color|Casual vacancy}};" | |- |5 May 2022||8||7||6||1||1||||2022 Stirling Council election||rowspan=8|Chris Kane (Lab) |- |19 October 2022||8||7||5||1||2||||Ewan Dillon (Lab) becomes Independent |- |18 December 2022||7||7||5||1||2||1||Death of Graham Houston (SNP) |- |16 March 2023||7||8||5||1||2||||Robin Kleinman (Con) elected in by-election |- |10 November 2023||7||7||5||1||2||1||Resignation of Douglas Dodds (Con) |- |25 January 2024||7||8||5||1||2||||Thomas Heald (Con) elected in by-election |- |20 May 2024||7||8||5||1||1||1||Resignation of Ewan Dillon (Ind) |- |15 August 2024||7||8||6||1||1||||David Wilson (Lab) elected in by-election |- |12 September 2024||7||8||5||1||1||1||Resignation of Chris Kane (Lab)||Margaret Brisley (Lab) |- |27 October 2024||7||8||4||1||1||2||Death of Margaret Brisley (Lab)||rowspan=4|''Vacant'' |- |5 December 2024||8||8||4||1||1||1||Willie Ferguson (SNP) elected in by-election |- |23 January 2025||9||8||4||1||1||||Bob Buchanan (SNP) elected in by-election |- |4 August 2025||9||7||4||1||1||1||Resignation of Bryan Flannagan (Con) |- |30 October 2025||10||7||4||1||1||||Josh Fyvie (SNP) elected in by-election||Susan McGill (SNP) |}

A by-election was held on 15 August 2024 to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Ewan Dillon. Following Chris Kane being elected as MP for Stirling and Strathallan, Labour Councillor Margaret Brisley became leader of the Council, but died on 27 October 2024,<ref>{{cite web|access-date=28 October 2024 |title=Stirling Council Leader Margaret Brisley Dies Aged 79 |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/breaking-stirling-council-leader-margaret-33983684 |website=Daily Record}}</ref> and a by-election was held to fill the vacancy caused by her death. The next full council election is due in 2027.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stirling |url=https://www.localcouncils.co.uk/councils/?council=stirling |website=Local Councils |publisher=Thorncliffe |access-date=31 July 2024}}</ref>

===Premises=== thumb|Old Viewforth: The 1937 wing behind the original house The council is based at Old Viewforth on Pitt Terrace in Stirling. The oldest part of the building is a converted house called Viewforth, which had been built in 1855.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB48323|desc=Pitt Terrace, Viewforth (Stirling Council Offices), including entrance gateways and boundary wall to the west|cat=B|access-date=16 April 2023}}</ref> The house was bought by Stirlingshire County Council in 1931 for £5,250 and converted to become its headquarters.<ref>{{cite news |title=New County Buildings |url=https://search.findmypast.co.uk/search/british-newspapers |access-date=16 April 2023 |work=Falkirk Herald |date=17 January 1931 |page=7}}</ref> A large art deco extension was added to the rear of the house, opening in 1937.<ref>{{cite news |title=New County Buildings opened |url=https://search.findmypast.co.uk/search/british-newspapers |access-date=16 April 2023 |work=Falkirk Herald |date=8 May 1937 |page=4}}</ref> A new building called New Viewforth was built alongside the older premises in 1972, shortly before Stirlingshire County Council was abolished.<ref>{{cite web |title=Viewforth - Council Buildings Old and New |url=http://www.stirlingarchives.scot/2016/05/04/viewforth-council-buildings-old-new/?LMCL=XS88QY&LMCL=LRTK44 |website=Stirling Archives |access-date=16 April 2023 |date=4 May 2016}}</ref>

Between 1975 and 1996 the premises at Viewforth served as the headquarters of Central Regional Council, whilst Stirling District Council was based at the Municipal Buildings at 8–10 Corn Exchange Road in Stirling, which had been completed in 1918 for the old Stirling Town Council.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB41105|desc= Municipal Buildings, 8-10 Corn Exchange Road, Stirling |access-date=16 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=23961|page=798|date=29 March 1996|city=e}}</ref> On local government reorganisation in 1996 Stirling Council took over Viewforth. The 1972 building known as New Viewforth was demolished in 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=Former Stirling Council building will vanish within weeks |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/perth-kinross/258150/former-stirling-council-building-will-vanish-within-weeks/ |access-date=16 April 2023 |work=The Courier |date=11 January 2014}}</ref>

==Elections== {{main|Stirling Council elections}} Since 2007 elections have been held every five years under the single transferable vote system, introduced by the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004. Election results since 1995 have been as follows:<ref name=compositions/>

{| class="wikitable" style=text-align:center !rowspan=2|'''Year''' !rowspan=2|'''Seats''' !width="80"|'''SNP''' !width="80"|'''Conservative''' !width="80"|'''Labour''' !width="80"|'''Green''' !width="80"|'''Liberal Democrats''' !width="80"|'''Independent / Other''' !rowspan=2|'''Notes''' |- !style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish National Party}}; width: 3px;" | !style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Conservatives}}; width: 3px;" | !style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Labour}}; width: 3px;" | !style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Greens}}; width: 3px;" | !style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Liberal Democrats}}; width: 3px;" | !style="background-color: {{party color|Independent politician}}; width: 3px;" | |- | 1995 || 22 || 2 || 7 || 13 || 0 || 0 || 0 || align=left| |- | 1999 || 22 || 2 || 9 || 11 || 0 || 0 || 0 || align=left|New ward boundaries.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Stirling (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1998|year=1998|number=3253|accessdate=16 April 2023}}</ref> |- | 2003 || 22 || 0 || 10 || 12 || 0 || 0 || 0 || align=left| |- | 2007 || 22 || 7 || 4 || 8 || 0 || 3 || 0 || align=left|New ward boundaries.<ref name=2007order>{{cite legislation Scotland|type=ssi|ssi=The Stirling (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2006|year=2006|number=376|accessdate=20 April 2023}}</ref> |- | 2012 || 22 || 9 || 4 || 8 || 1 || 0 || 0 || align=left| |- | 2017 || 23 || 9 || 9 || 4 || 1 || 0 || 0 || align=left|New ward boundaries.<ref name=2016order>{{cite legislation Scotland|type=ssi|ssi=The Stirling (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2016|year=2016|number=288|accessdate=16 April 2023}}</ref> |- | 2022 || 23 || 8 || 7 || 6 || 1 || 0 || 1 || align=left|Labour minority administration with Conservative support. |- ! ! !style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish National Party}}; width: 3px;" | !style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Conservatives}}; width: 3px;" | !style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Labour}}; width: 3px;" | !style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Greens}}; width: 3px;" | !style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Liberal Democrats}}; width: 3px;" | !style="background-color: {{party color|Independent politician}}; width: 3px;" | ! |}

===Wards=== thumb|Map of the area's wards (2017 configuration) The wards are:<ref name=2016order/>

{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Ward<br />Number ! Ward Name ! Location ! Seats |- |1 |Trossachs and Teith |100px |3 |- |2 |Forth and Endrick |100px |3 |- |3 |Dunblane and Bridge of Allan |100px |4 |- |4 |Stirling North |100px |4 |- |5 |Stirling West |100px |3 |- |6 |Stirling East |100px |3 |- |7 |Bannockburn |100px |3 |}

==Communities== The area is divided into 42 community council areas, all of which have community councils as at 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Community Councils |url=https://www.stirling.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/your-community/about-community-councils/ |website=Stirling Council |access-date=12 April 2023}}</ref>

{{div col|colwidth=22em}} *Arnprior *Balfron *Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and Strathyre *Bannockburn *Braehead and Broomridge *Bridge of Allan *Buchanan *Buchlyvie *Callander *Cambusbarron *Cambuskenneth *Carron Valley and District *Causewayhead *Cornton *Cowie *Croftamie *Drymen *Dunblane *Fintry *Gargunnock *Gartmore *Hillpark and Milton *Killearn *Killin *Kilmadock *King's Park *Kippen *Logie *Mercat Cross *Plean *Polmaise *Port of Menteith *Raploch *Riverside *St Ninians *Strathard *Strathblane *Strathfillan *Thornhill and Blairdrummond *Throsk *Torbrex *Trossachs {{div col end}}

==Settlements== {{Location map+|Scotland Stirling |caption={{left|The largest settlements in Stirling council area}} |float=right |width=500 |places = {{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.1166|-3.9369|}}|position=left|label='''Stirling'''|label_size=}} {{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.183827|-3.967410}}|position=right|label='''Dunblane'''|label_size=}} {{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.09|-3.91|}}|position=left|label='''Bannockburn'''|label_size=}} {{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.155|-3.942|}}|position=left|label='''Bridge of Allan'''|label_size=}} {{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.24403|-4.21446|}}|position=left|label='''Callander'''|label_size=}} {{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.1037|-3.8762|}}|position=right|label='''Fallin'''|label_size=}} {{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.0805|-3.867|}}|position=right|label='''Cowie'''|label_size=}} {{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.19|-4.053|}}|position=left|label='''Doune'''|label_size=}} {{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.071775|-4.337256|}}|position=left|label='''Balfron'''|label_size=}} {{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|55.986|-4.306|}}|position=top|label='''Strathblane'''|label_size=}}

{{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.3|-4.73|}}|position=left|label=''Argyll and Bute''|marksize=0|label_size=120}} {{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.33|-3.9|}}|position=left|label=''Perth and Kinross''|marksize=0|label_size=120}} {{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|56.15|-3.85|}}|position=right|label=''Clack.''|marksize=0|label_size=120}} {{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|55.975|-3.9|}}|position=right|label=''Falkirk''|marksize=0|label_size=120}} {{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|55.975|-4.115|}}|position=right|label=''N.Lanark.''|marksize=0|label_size=120}} {{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|55.975|-4.270|}}|position=right|label=''E.Dunb.''|marksize=0|label_size=120}} {{Location map~|Scotland Stirling|coordinates = {{coord|55.975|-4.580|}}|position=right|label=''W.Dunb.''|marksize=0|label_size=120}} }}

thumb|upright=2|Topographic map of Stirling and East and West Dunbartonshire

As well as the city of Stirling itself, there are many towns, villages and hamlets spread across the council area, as well as dispersed settlements.

Largest settlements by population:

{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ !Settlement !Population ({{Scottish settlement population citation|year}})<ref name="auto">{{Scottish settlement population citation}}</ref> |- |Stirling |{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Stirling}} |- |Dunblane |{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Dunblane}} |- |Bannockburn |{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Bannockburn}} |- |Bridge of Allan |{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Bridge of Allan}} |- |Callander |{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Callander}} |- |Fallin |{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Fallin}} |- |Cowie |{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Cowie}} |- |Doune |{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Doune}} |- |Balfron |{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Balfron}} |- |Strathblane |{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Strathblane}} |- |}

=== Towns === * Bannockburn * Bridge of Allan * Callander * Doune * Dunblane

=== Villages === * Aberfoyle * Ashfield * Balfron * Balmaha * Balquhidder * Blairlogie * Blanefield * Buchlyvie * Cambusbarron * Cambuskenneth * Cowie * Crianlarich * Croftamie * Deanston * Drymen * Fallin * Fintry * Gargunnock * Gartmore * Killearn * Killin * Kinlochard * Kippen * Milton of Buchanan * Lochearnhead * Plean * Port of Menteith * Strathblane * Strathyre * Thornhill * Throsk * Tyndrum

=== Hamlets === * Ardchullarie More * Ardeonaig * Arnprior * Auchlyne * Balfron Station * Boquhan * Buchanan Smithy * Carbeth * Dumgoyne * Gartness * Inverarnan * Kilmahog * Kinbuck * Milton * Mugdock * Stronachlachar

=== Dispersed settlements === * Ardchyle * Auchtubh * Blair Drummond * Brig o' Turk * Dalmary * Dalrigh * Inversnaid * Rowardennan * Ruskie

==Accidents and disasters== In 1996, the Dunblane massacre occurred at Dunblane Primary School in Dunblane. 16 five-six-year-old pupils and one teacher were killed in a mass shooting, in which the perpetrator also killed himself. It remains the deadliest mass shooting in British history.<ref name="Mass shootings and gun control">{{cite news |date=2 June 2010 |title=Mass shootings and gun control |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10216955 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401062816/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10216955 |archive-date=1 April 2018 |access-date=12 March 2017 |publisher=BBC News |quote=The deaths led to a nationwide campaign for even greater gun controls. The campaign succeeded in making it illegal to buy or possess a handgun, something which had been excluded from the legislation passed after Hungerford.}}</ref> Dunblane Cemetery contains a memorial garden, where a number of the victims are buried and a fountain with a plaque of the names of those killed.<ref name="BBC_garden">{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/65519.stm |title=Dunblane victims remembered |work=BBC News |date=14 March 1998 |access-date=19 March 2014 |archive-date=19 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319233946/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/65519.stm |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Places of interest== *Carse of Lecropt *Culcreuch Castle *Inchmahome Priory (a ruined Augustinian priory on an island in the Lake of Menteith, used as a refuge in 1547 by Mary, Queen of Scots) *Breadalbane Folklore Centre *Cambuskenneth Abbey (formerly the seat of the Scottish Parliament) *Doune Castle *Dunblane Cathedral *Falls of Dochart *Falls of Lochay *Glen Dochart *Glenfinlas *Lake of Menteith *Lecropt Kirk *Loch Achray *Loch Ard *Loch Earn *Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park *Loch Katrine (The source of most of the drinking water for the city of Glasgow) *Loch Rusky *Loch Venachar *Moirlannich Longhouse *Queen Elizabeth Forest Park (run by Forestry and Land Scotland) *Scottish Institute of Sport (on the grounds of Stirling University) *Stirling Castle *The University of Stirling *The Trossachs *Wallace Monument *West Highland Way

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Stirling (council area)}} * [http://www.stirling.gov.uk/ Stirling Council] ''official website''

{{Navboxes | title = Stirling council area | list = {{Stirling Towns & Villages}} {{Rugby union in Stirling}} {{Lists of listed buildings in Stirling (council area)}} {{Stirling elections}} {{Wards of Stirling}} }}

Category:Stirling (council area) Category:Council areas of Scotland Category:1975 establishments in Scotland Category:States and territories established in 1975 Category:Districts of Scotland Category:Central Region (Scotland)