Advice on Stirling / Dunblane

[Hamilton23]

Hello all,

My husband, 9 month old baby and I are thinking of relocating to the Stirling area.

We like the idea of Dunblane as it has a village feel, but close enough to the city centre.

My husband works away a lot so I would be keen to take my baby to relevant classes to get out and about and meet other mums. I've done a bit of research but wondered if anyone is aware of baby/toddler groups in the area?

Also, does anyone have an insight into the schools? They all seem to have a good reputation from what I have read.

Thanks in advance.

@waxonfeckoff lives in the area (bit with older kids) and should have good advice.

Dunblane is great for pre-school activities. Baby Beanz and Jumping Beans run by Active Stirling at Braeport Centre, baby and toddlers at St Mary’s church hall, lots of activities at Dunblane Centre (art, music, gymnastics etc) and lovely friendly library with bookbug sessions. Nice parks and walks too so plenty to do. The schools have a good reputation though personally I don't think they're any better than other Stirling Council schools. Both Dunblane and Newton primaries usually have two classes for each year group and big nurseries. St Mary's is very small with 4 composite classes P1/2, P3/4, P5/6 and P7. It is a very friendly school with an excellent nursery.

Agree with SteamPudding , pretty much any area in Stirling, Bridge of Allan or Dunblane has plenty going on for all ages. DC are teenagers now but were toddlers when we moved here and they have participated in every activity known to man :)

Council run loads of classes, plus swimming, Dunblane Centre, Allan centre in BofA, the Uni used to have a toddler group too, Gaelic nursery at Riverside as well. Uni ad the peak sports centres have lots on, lovely splash pool at the peak for babies/toddlers. Stirling isn't big so all areas are handy for facilities. Personally if I had the budget i'd go for Bridge or Allan as this ticks all your boxes and still gives you the option of Dunblane High or Wallace and they are horses for courses depending on whether your child would benefit from the quieter more academic atmosphere of Dunblane or the livelier sportier vibe of Wallace. No private option anymore unless you go for Dollar. Torbrex is also a good option, good for schools, handy for KingsPark and town.

This is brilliant! Thank you so much both for your help and advice, very much appreciated. We are going to explore a bit more to get more of a feel for everywhere in and around there. Thanks again xx

I d also look over on the local talk board as there have been similar questions asked before with useful info for you. I gave a breakdown of some Stirling area s in this one but others are worth a read too.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/local/3038368-Considering-Relocating

Super helpful - thank you x

Doune is nice too if you want village life. It has expanded quite a bit in the last few years with big newbuild estate. Nice park, woods, cycle track great for kids learning to ride bikes, library and community playgroup (Red Kite nursery). I know there are a few Dunblane families also use the primary school there which also has a good reputation. Only one class per year group so smaller than the two big Dunblane primaries. Catchment high school is McLaren High in Callander.