Go straight to the Old Town Jail…
Stirling’s very own edition of the iconic board game Monopoly was launched on Friday at Stirling Castle.
A total of 34 leading Stirling names and landmarks replace the famous London Monopoly addresses.
The Stirling Observer proudly graces the Fleet Street square – and also features on a Community Chest card which tells players they have won our popular Butcher Boy competition.
Iconic visitor attractions such as Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument – on the traditional Mayfair and Park Lane squares – are on the board along with the Robert the Bruce statue, Stirling Old Bridge, Dunblane Cathedral, the Tolbooth, the Church of the Holy Rude, Smith Art Gallery and Museum.
Not one but two jails feature on the board – the traditional Monopoly jail and the Stirling Old Town Jail.
Stirling Arcade, the Thistles shopping centre, the King’s Knot, Stirling Highland Games, and Blair Drummond Safari Park are also on the board along with educational institutions the University of Stirling, Forth Valley College and Beaconhurst School.
Stirling and Bridge of Allan railway stations, Stirling bus station and the Nextbike cycle scheme take up the four transport squares.
Sport also features in the form of The Peak leisure centre and Stirling Albion Football Club. Other features include the Stirling Highland Hotel, the Birds and Bees restaurant in Causewayhead, Blairmains Farm Shop and Coffee Bothy and the Toy Hub, one of the stockists of the game.
Customised Chance and Community Chest cards add to the fun. One sees Stirling Albion making it to Hampden Park every single season while another rewards players with the Freedom of the City of Stirling - just like home-grown tennis superstar Andy Murray.
Monopoly was invented in 1935 by Charles B Darrow, a heater salesman from Philadelphia in the USA. The original tokens were inspired by Mr Darrow’s nieces who recommended metal charms from charm bracelets.
The game is now played in 47 languages and sold in 114 countries with more than one billion people having ‘Passed GO’ worldwide.
Emma Lodwick, custom games executive for Winning Moves, who produce the game under licence from Hasbro, said: “The time I have spent in Stirling has been completely unforgettable from the stunning views to the wonderful people. It is clear why Stirling deserves this tribute to its people and culture.
“The response from the people of Stirling, who voted in their thousands for the features of the board, has been overwhelming. I am sure everyone will agree, it has turned out great.”
The edition is available now at Toy Hub, Waterstones, WH Smith and The Works. The game will also be available online, including at www.winningmoves. co.uk.
However, the Stirling Observer has secured five of the very first games to roll off the presses especially for readers, courtesy of Winning Moves UK.
All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning a game is answer this question below.
Which landmark appears in the top Mayfair position in the brand new MONOPOLY: Stirling Edition game?: A- Stirling Citadel; B- Stirling Castle; or C - Stirling Colloseum?
Send your answers to Monopoly Competition, Stirling Observer, 34 Upper Craigs, Stirling FK8 2DW along with your name, address and daytime telephone number.
Deadline for entries is Friday, October 20.
It is clear why Stirling deserves this tribute to its people and culture