Photo: John Patton
2025 Festival Programme
The Stirling Photography Festival is running through September with a number of events and exhibitions across Stirlingshire. Scroll down to see our current exhibitions and upcoming events. Check out the events to learn more and get free tickets, or take a look at our open cll for contributuions to this year’s commemorative photo book - information on our 2025 photo book page here.
Beyond Home
Ron O’Donnell
Exhibitions
Beyond Home
By
Ron O’Donnell
Tolbooth, Jail Wynd, Stirling
2nd August – 27th September
Open Tue - Sat 10am - 5pm
A Hidden Community
Jennifer Charlton
A Hidden Community
By
Jennifer Charlton
The Barracks, Stirling
4th August – 27th September
Open Mon - Thur 9am - 4pm
& Fri 9am - 12pm
Govanhill
Simon Murphy
Govanhill
By
Simon Murphy
Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling
20th August – 20th September
Open Mon - Sun 10am - 10pm
dùthchas
Tom Astbury
dùthchas
By
Tom Astbury
Doune Library, Doune
21st August – 18th September
Open Tue, Wed, Thur & Sat
A New Home
Various Photographers
A New Home
By
Various Photographers
Dunblane Library, Dunblane
28th August – 30th September
Open Mon - Sat
Beyond
Various Photographers
Beyond
By
Various Photographers
Weigh Ahead Gallery, Dunblane
6th September– 11th October
Open Mon - Sat 9am - 5pm
& Sun 12pm - 4pm
This Year’s Events
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Govanhill: Opening Reception at Macrobert Arthouse
Join Simon at Macrobert Arts Centre for the opening of his Govanhill exhibition as part of the Stirling Photography Festival
Thursday, August 28 · 7 - 9pm
Macrobert Arts Centre
University of Stirling FK9 4LA -
Light Through the Shadows: A Life in Focus with Jennifer Charlton
Jennifer shares her award-winning project ‘A Hidden Community’, her journey as a photographer & her top ten tips she wished she'd been told.
Friday, August 29 · 12:30 - 2pm
The Barracks Conference Centre
Forthside Way Stirling FK8 1QZ -
Beyond Poetry
View a small exhibition of photographs by Tom Astbury, inspired by poet Duncan Bàn Macintyre & enjoy readings by Gaelic speaker Ailsa Morgan
Saturday, September 6 · 10:30am - 12pm
Doune Library
5 Main Street Doune FK16 6BJ -
Doune Photowalk - Beyond the Surface
Join local historian Andy McEwan for a leisurely photowalk and guided tour of the beautiful and historic village of Doune.
Saturday, September 6 · 9:15 - 10:30am
Outside Former Kilmadock Church
Main Street Doune FK16 -
The ABC of Wildlife Photography
Looking beyond the Animal – the importance of Behaviour and Context in wildlife images.
Saturday, September 6 · 11:45am - 1:45pm
Argaty Red Kites
Doune FK16 6EJ -
Beyond Home - Film Screening and In-gallery Talk with Ron O'Donnell
Join Ron at the Tolbooth where he will share stories of his creative journey - from Stirling through his international voyage and back again
September 11 · 10:30am - October 5 · 11:30am
The Tolbooth
Jail Wynd Stirling FK8 1DE -
Camera Obscura on Campus
Explore the world of the camera obscura.
Saturday, September 13 · 9 - 10:30am
Pathfoot Building
University of Stirling Pathfoot Building Stirling FK9 4LA -
Beyond the Polaroid – an Introduction to Creating Polaroid Lifts
Join Caitlin Jardine for a creative workshop using Polaroid images to create alternative, personalised art.
Saturday, September 13 · 9:15 - 10am
University of Stirling Pathfoot Building
Stirling FK9 4LA -
Pinhole Photography
Learn the art and science of turning light into pictures in this fun, hands on workshop.
Saturday, September 13 · 10:15 - 11:15am
University of Stirling Pathfoot Building Stirling FK9 4LA
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Level-Up: Still Life Photography for Young Creatives with Julie Howden
Are you 14-21 years old? Join photographer Julie for a lesson in Still Life, photographing items from the University's Science Collection.
Saturday, September 13 · 11:30am - 12:45pm
Pathfoot Building
University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA -
Govanhill: Beyond the frame - Stories from a Scottish photographer -Day 1
Join Simon Murphy in gallery for stories inspired by his acclaimed Govanhill collection.
Saturday, September 13 · 1 - 2pm
Macrobert Arts Centre
University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA -
Govanhill: Beyond the frame - Stories from a Scottish photographer - Day 2
Join Simon Murphy in gallery for stories inspired by his acclaimed Govanhill collection
Wednesday, September 17 · 11am - 12:30pm
Macrobert Arts Centre
University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA -
Meet Artist in Residence Jess Holdengarde
Come by the University of Stirling for a coffee and chat with the Art Collection's newly appointed Artist in Residence, Jess Holdengarde.
Wednesday, September 17 · 1 - 2pm
University of Stirling Pathfoot Building Stirling FK9 4LA
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Beyond Home - An In-gallery Talk with Ron O'Donnell
Join Ron at the Tolbooth where he will share stories of his creative journey - from Stirling through his international voyage and back again.
Thursday, September 18 · 11am - 1pm
The Tolbooth
Jail Wynd Stirling FK8 1DE United Kingdom -
Tranquillity and Ruin: Beyond Ruin
Join Shane Simmons for an in-gallery talk Beyond Ruin, exploring the inspiration for his photography project Tranquillity and Ruin.
Friday, September 19 · 1 - 2pm
Mugdock Country Park
Campsie Gallery Mugdock G62 8EL United Kingdom -
'Beyond Home' In-gallery Talk with Ron O'Donnell
Join Ron at the Tolbooth where he will share stories of his creative journey - from Stirling through his international voyage and back again
Saturday, September 20 · 10 - 11:30am
The Tolbooth
Jail Wynd Stirling FK8 1DE -
Stirling Photowalk
Join us for an inclusive photowalk exploring local streets and scenery.
Saturday, September 20 · 12 - 2:30pm
Stirling Train Station
Goosecroft Road Stirling FK7 7NU -
Cowane’s House Behind The Scenes
Join Dr Murray Cook at his newest excavation site, learn what he hopes to uncover and be amongst the first to photograph it.
22nd to 27th September . 10am - 3pm
-
Faces in the crowd: Capturing strangers through portraits
Portrait photographer Charles McGuigan will share his approach to street portraiture, how to establish rapport and capture personalities.
Friday, September 26 · 10 - 11:30am
The Barracks Conference Centre
Forthside Way Stirling FK8 1QZ -
Light Through the Shadows: A Life in Focus with Jennifer Charlton
Jennifer shares her award-winning project ‘A Hidden Community’, her journey as a photographer & her top ten tips she wished she'd been told.
Friday, September 26 · 12 - 1:30pm
The Barracks Conference Centre
Forthside Way Stirling FK8 1QZ -
Laser Beams and Polygons
Join Historic Environment Scotland's Al Rawlinson & learn about the work of their Digital Innovation team in creating their digital archives
Friday, September 26 · 2 - 3:30pm
The Engine Shed
Forthside Way Stirling FK8 1QZ -
Dive into the World of Film Photography
Explore the wonderful world of film photography with enthusiast and collector David Mitchell.
Friday, September 26 · 3:30 - 5:30pm
The Engine Shed
Forthside Way Stirling FK8 1QZ -
The Photography Eclectics
An educational & entertaining evening with a quick fire round of talks, banter and chat all related to photography.
Friday, September 26 · 7 - 9pm
The Engine Shed
Forthside Way Stirling FK8 1QZ -
Analogue Workshop Day at the Engine Shed
Sold out - join waiting list
A whole day of traditional analogue photography events at the Engine Shed to learn, get hands, observe & get inspired on analogue processes.
Saturday, September 27 · 10am - 4pm
The Engine Shed
Forthside Way Stirling FK8 1QZ
Our theme for this year is Beyond and it is inspiring a fabulous programme for 2025!
Following a hugely successful Roots & Rituals 2024 festival celebrating Stirling's 900th anniversary, the creative team are looking ahead and have curated a festival that will bring artists from across the country to Stirling - Beyond 2025.
Exhibitions by leading lights and emerging new talent will travel to the city from all corners of the country, including new works created exclusively for the Stirling Photography Festival - homecoming retrospectives, award winning portraiture and renowned social documentary work.
A programme of exhibitors and speakers designed to welcome, challenge and inspire us to look beyond what the camera captures - the people, the places, the stories.
Our Beyond 2025 visual is the creation of super talented Mariah C, a primary four Stirling school pupil. Taking the theme she drew a landscape beyond the viewfinder -inspired by our local lanscape of mountains, forests and lochs. Mariah's sketch was magiced into our festival logos by creative genius and long term supporter Alan G from Nettl of Stirling. We just love it!
Do more than just click
Our festival is only possible with the help or supportive community. Become a friend of the festival and help us deliver a program that builds community, fosters creativity and develops skills.
Photo: Charles Mcguigan