Garden of Time

The Garden of Time is a beautiful haven where all are welcome to enjoy a peaceful moment surrounded by nature, history and art.

The Garden provides a dedicated place for remembrance, a peaceful setting where you can honour the memory of a loved one. Like the changing seasons, the Garden evolves continually, offering a reflective space for all who visit.

As part of the University of Stirling’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2017, the University redeveloped an existing garden to create a new concept: a Garden of Time. Located to the east of the campus, the Garden enjoys spectacular views of Airthrey Castle, the Wallace Monument, the Ochil Hills and the prominent peak of Dumyat.

Reflecting the youthful vibrancy of the University, the Garden of Time is a place where nature meets art whilst exploring time and memory. It's a tranquil and inspirational place which, like the four seasons, will continually change and remain a place where everyone can visit to relax, imagine and dream new possibilities.

How to find the Garden of Time

Follow Hermitage Road and you'll find the Garden of Time next to Alexander Court and opposite the Airthrey Golf Pavilion. 

At its entrance, you’ll find historic pillars from the original Airthrey Estate.

Discover the Garden of Time

Garden path with sculpture on left hand side and trees on the right. Sun dial Close up of a steel memorial flower in the garden Garden with path and trees

Be part of the Garden

Everyone is welcome to contribute to the development of the Garden. There is a range of ways you can mark a memory or recognise a loved one.

There are several meaningful ways to leave a tribute, which are also outlined on our Garden of Time order form.

For more information and important terms and conditions, please read the Garden of Time memorial guidelines.

 

Memorial Archway

Memorial archway

Install a plaque in memory of someone special, offering a quiet moment of reflection beneath the arch.

  • Memorial archway: £300 inclusive of VAT
Close up of metal flower sculpture

Sculptural stake

Place a corten steel stake within the floral meadows. Created by Edinburgh-based artist Andrea Geile, each sweetpea stake includes a copper leaf engraved with a name, quote, or memory.

  • Engrave a stake by Andrea Geile: £400 inclusive of VAT

 

Writing on stone

Engrave a path stone

Adopt a full or half Caithness flagstone along the winding path near the Acer tree, which glows red in autumn. Work with a local stonemason to inscribe text or a bespoke image that reflects your loved one.

  • Engrave a full path stone: £1,500 inclusive of VAT
  • Engrave half a path stone: £800 inclusive of VAT
Sculpture in the Garden of Time

Bespoke sculptural tribute

Collaborate with the University’s Art Collection to commission or purchase a bespoke sculpture by a Scottish artist. Recent additions include Four Seasons by Martha Ellis, inspired by campus flora and supported by donations.

  • Bespoke sculpture: starting from £4,000 inclusive of VAT and dependent on sculpture chosen and installation requirements following discussion with the Head of University of Stirling Collections

All contributions support the installations and upkeep of the garden.

We’re currently unable to accommodate other forms of memorials, such as benches and planting, due to space limitations and maintenance, which impacts the ongoing management of our beautiful campus for the benefit of everyone in our University community.

We hope that you’ll consider the other meaningful ways to contribute to the Garden of Time listed above.

Image credit: Julie Howden

How to order

If you’d like to purchase a memorial, please complete our Garden of Time order form and email it to philanthropy@stir.ac.uk.

Stone to the Sun

Kathleen Jamie, honorary graduate and a former Professor of Creative Writing at the University was commissioned to write a poem which captures the spirit of the Garden and the ancient landscape.

 

Read Stone to the Sun
Photo of Kathleen Jamie

Contact Development and Alumni Relations