With the first 50 things to do before you graduate debuting in Brig in the late 80s, the article was updated in 2019 for the 50th edition. Since then a 2021 bucket list was also published. Despite being unable to find the original list using the most recent two, Brig presents the ultimate 55 dos and don’ts of Stirling from the good, the bad and the down right strange.
Five classics
Here are five things that featured on both the 2019 and 2021 versions
- Wallace Monument. With the best view of the city and being a nice simple walk from campus this staple is a must especially with a picnic or some snacks.
- Dumyat. Dumyat must be done at some point in the uni career there is no doubt. The only real question is whether you start the journey at the car park which takes you up half the way or walk it from the bottom of campus.
- Stirling pubs. Interestingly in the 2019 edition a pub called Cape is referenced alongside the classic Nicky Tams and Spoons. It transpires that Cape has since shut down with one TripAdvisor review calling it ‘The bar from hell’. The other two are still going strong and the 2021 edition also mentions Morrisons, Molly Malones, and City Walls.
- The castle. A great trip for when family comes up or your sheltering from the rain.
- A Wednesday night in Fubar. The Red Card Wednesday is a classic if you can get past the hoards of themed sports socials, VK bottles on the floor and the same playlist every week.
Five outdated choices
These five were on the 2019 list and to the 2024 crowd seem outdated or just foreign.
- Pub crawl in Bridge of Allan. The fact that this was once a hot stop is slightly mine blowing considering Bridge of Allan is now just coffee shops and restaurants.
- Seen Cascada at Freshers. So apparently Eurovision’s very own Cascada performed at the Union multiple times with the classics such as ‘Evacuate the Dancefloor’. Why don’t we get such good freshers events?
- Taking poppers in Tingle. The closest way you can get to this is doing poppers in King Cons, which has now taken over that space. I just want to know the specific correlation between Tingle and Poppers? Was it to ignore how bad it was?
- Go to Dusk. Similar to Tingle, Dusk failed to ope post pandemic, leaving Fubar as the last nightclub standing.
- On the 2019 list it also included having sex on the golf course and stealing a pole from the golf course. Now while you technically can still do these things, I am not sure why you would want to.
And now for your current Stirling bucket list
- Enjoyed Kings Park in the three days its sunny in second semester. Bonus points for a disposable BBQ.
- Win the Sunday night Nicky Tams pub quiz and spend the £30 bar tab on mystery shots
- A day trip to Loch Lomand, it never disappoints.
- Catch all the seasonal drinks at the Book Nook.
- Watch something with the £2.50 student cinema tickets at Macroberts.
- Join Brig (sorry, I had to get it in there).
- Brave the top floor of the library during assignment season.
- An improteu night out to Fubar that is not a Wednesday, sometimes these can be the best ones.
- Dance around Molly Malones with baby Guinesses to the live music, no matter who is playing the setlist is phenomenal.
- Find your favourite brunch spot in Bridge of Allan, will it be Friend of Mine, The Hideaway, or Wee Timorous Beastie Café?
- Attend a Ceilidh, clubs and societies often hold these as fundraisers so its very easy to find one and throw your friend around to Strip the Willow.
- Visit Made in Stirling and wander around looking at all the different local art and gifts.
- End a night out with a trip to Tastebudz, whilst the cheesy chips are a classic their naan breads are also a great sobering up option.
- Stare at the Jellycats in Contempo, a oddly relaxing way to break up the day.
- Watch a sporting event at City Walls or Morrisons for the great atmosphere…as long as you’re on the winning side.
- Go to a Ball, Sports Ball, Clubs and Socs Ball, a course ball, just any excuse to dress up fancy and celebrate.
- Try the Stirling Escape Rooms: Witchcraft and Wizardry, The Bank Heist, or The Cabin the choice is yours.
- Pretend to go and have a study day in the Burgh Coffeehouse but instead just enjoy the bagels.
- Get stuck in traffic due to temporary traffic lights.
- Pop into M&S looking for yellow stickers and a bargain dinner.
- Enjoy Music Bingo and games night at Slanj-A-Va on a Tuesday night, they even have Mario Kart.
- Submit an assignment to Canvas the minute before it is due, a rite of passage.
- Pub Golf, a university classic with your club or with friends, get your best outfits on, learn the drinking rules and pick a route. Highly recommend finishing in Molly’s on one of the live music nights.
- Try a completely new sport, with so many on offer with recreational training, University is the perfect time to give it a go.
- Drive to the Kelpies and have a hot chocolate, this hits different when you’re hungover, it is unclear why.
- This one is for the girls – use the double toilet in Fubar for maximum girlhood vibes.
- Bowling, another great option for a rainy day activity and they have fun arcade games.
- Pet an Alpaca, a firm favourite at freshers events.
- Feel Boujee going to Meraki for cocktails.
- Walk around the loch, basic but brilliant as a study break.
And finally 10 things not to do in Stirling
- Do not rely on the UniLink. Despite getting better in recent months the frequency of the buses is never accurate and there is always a risk of missing your lecture.
- Do not be caught pulling someone on the Fubar Instagram stories, your friends will screenshot it and haunt you with it.
- Similarly, do not follow the Fubar photographer round the club getting every photo you can, you will regret it in the morning when the photos go live.
- Do not be afraid to ask for help, the student learning services have options for everyone.
- Do not pay for a Scran Pizza, these used to be a bargain but now they’re overpriced with far too much flour.
- Do not spend too much at the Calluna plant shop, a very dangerous game.
- Do not expect to be able to go shopping for decent clothing, the high street is incredibly bare
- Do not go in the University Loch nor attempt to take on the terrifying swans: it’s their campus and we’re just lucky they let us be there.
- Do not be scared of girls in sports clubs, promise they’re not the bitches from movies.
- Do not think you’ll be able to navigate cottersll first time around.
Featured image credit: University of Stirling
Film, Media and Journalism student who writes about things that catch her interest. Instagram @charlsutcliffe
