Stirling welcomes the World

Photo: video still from June Barton’s multi media installation - Tolbooth arts centre, Stirling.

Sitting with a friend outside a French style cafe in Stirling this afternoon we watch in amazement at the number of passing foreign tourists .
“Its very continental,” we say.
 
Yes it’s a big time for Stirling this weekend for it hosts the World Cycling Championship: roads are closed, extra security patrol the streets and potholes filled.

A group of 30 young people pass. “ Where are you from?” I ask thinking they are cyclists.

“ New Zealand. We are here for World Pipe Band championship in Glasgow.”

Afterwards I say to my friend:
“ Do you realise we are sitting in the middle of world tourist attractions? folk travel halfway around the world to see stuff we take for granted?”

We sit in awe contemplating our good fortune. Maybe Stirling is more than a castle on a hill.