Old Town jail opens with new tour audio
Stirling Old Town Jail reopened its doors on Wednesday with a new self-guided audio tour.
Offering an insight into the history of crime and punishment in Stirling, the Old Town Jail is one of the city’s top rated attractions and amongst the first to re-open in July.
The new self-guided audio tour enables visitors to enjoy an interactive, sociallydistanced, visit with a series of stories about the city’s gruesome past and life in the original jail. The highlights include the new “Scene of the Crime” exhibition and the 360-degree views of the city from the observation tower.
Students from Forth Valley College have been involved in a project recording actors’ interactive voice-over and sound effects.
The tourist attraction’s creative director David Kinnaird contact Barry Frame from the college’s department set up the partnership with students.
Four first year HND students – Keir Hall (18), Fraser Reid (22), Erin Marshall (18) and Claire McFarlane (27) were invited to tour the Jail in February and two days later they were in the recording studios at the Stirling Campus working with David to record the new tracks and script.
Now five months on they have completed the project - producing 43 audio tracks - while working from home.
Also new for the attraction for 2020 is the Jail Break Escape Room: locked in the Governor’s Office, inmates are up against the clock to prove their innocence by finding stolen items and exposing the wardens in order to escape the fate of their fellow prisoners. It is currently bookable in advance for four to six people.
The attraction has undergone a significant refurbishment.
Head Governor, Geoff Morrison said: ”This is an exciting time for Stirling Old Town Jail as we can finally unveil our refurbishment and bring visitors back to experience the ultimate in both security and escape.
We have been immensely proud of the team’s achievements over the last few years in putting the jail back on the map and the input from the Stirling Council has been instrumental in enabling us to build upon the continued success of the attraction.”
Stirling Council’s finance and economy convener Councillor Margaret Brisley said: “We were pleased to support the refurbishment of the Old Town Jail, one of the city’s most popular attractions.
I am delighted we can welcome visitors back again to safely enjoy our rich heritage and history, and experience unique attractions such as the Old Town Jail.”
Stirling Old Town Jail has expanded its season and will now be open from 15 July to the end of October, seven days a week during school holidays.
Another highlight of the tour, which explores the history of crime and punishment, includes sensational real life stories from a newly rediscovered original governor’s journal.
Stirling Old Town Jail is open 10.15am-5.15pm until the end of October, with self-guided tours every 30 minutes. Prices start from £8 for adults, with concessions and children £6 and under 5s free. The Jail Break Escape Room can be booked for groups of 4-6 people from £10pp from 11am9pm daily.