Birthday Celebrations on board Stirling Landtrain
Stirling’s popular Landtrain played host to a birthday party when train lover Ross Parker celebrated his special day on board.
Article Source: Issued by Blackburn Communications, on behalf of Go Forth Stirling.
Last Updated: 26 August 2019 12:33
Stirling’s popular Landtrain played host to a birthday party when train lover Ross Parker celebrated his special day on board.
Ross, who is autistic, lives in Larbert and comes into Stirling every week with his father Jim to travel around the city on the Landtrain run by Go Forth Stirling Business Improvement District.
He was one of the first passengers to take the train following its launch last year and it’s now become a regular fixture in his life enabling him to socialise and enjoy a day out.
Ross, 22, and Jim have struck up a friendship with Landtrain driver Craig O’Brien during their rides around Stirling and were delighted when Craig suggested Ross should celebrate his birthday on board.
Go Forth gave Ross and his family and friends exclusive use of the train for two hours and provided banners, balloons and a birthday cake to help them celebrate in style.
Jim said: “It was a fantastic day and Ross had a wonderful time. He thoroughly enjoyed the trip and we’re grateful to Craig and Go Forth Stirling for organising this for us.
“Ross has autism and other physical issues and life can be quite challenging so it’s great to have found something he loves to do.
“I first read about the Landtrain when it launched, decided we’d give it a shot and have never looked back.
“It gets Ross out on a regular basis and gives him the chance to socialise with other people. He also enjoys photography and will take photos all the time he’s on the Landtrain.
“He’s really enjoying the new route down to Forthside because it gives him a longer trip around the city and when we come along each week we always go around twice.
“It’s a fantastic attraction and Craig and his team – his son Ryan and Debbie Ritchie - are brilliant with Ross.”
Ross along with his family and friends, several of them with special needs, enjoyed travelling along the Landtrain route twice before celebrating with a cake to mark his 22nd birthday.
Craig said: “Ross and his guests had a great time and were overwhelmed by the fact we decorated the train with balloons and banners and provided music and cake which they all enjoyed.
“Ross is a regular passenger with us and has taken a real shine to the train - we enjoy seeing him, his family and carers and he always brightens our day and has a big cheeky smile for us.
“We organised the party as we wanted to do something special for Ross especially as he looks forward to travelling on the train and seeing us all so much.”
Go Forth Stirling Manager Mags Fenner said: “We were delighted to give Ross and his family a Landtrain birthday party.
“It’s been a joy for all of us see how much the Landtrain has meant to Ross since it launched last year.”
The Go Forth team have had inquiries about private hire of the Landtrain for birthday parties and special events.
Following the positive feedback from the Parker family, the Go Forth team will develop a hire package so others can enjoy an experience similar to Ross’.
Part of the five-year Go Forth Stirling Business Plan, the Landtrain was introduced during Easter 2018 with the aim of operating through the main tourism months and providing a key link between traders and the Castle.
Its route was recently extended to cover more of the city and its attractions, and the train ran daily throughout the school holidays proving popular with residents and visitors alike.
The extended Landtrain route takes around an hour from start to finish costing £2 for a hop on/hop off day pass and free for children under five.
Passengers can join the train at Forthside Car Park, near the Vue Cinema, or get on board at various stops along the route.
From Forthside, the Landtrain travels along Forthside Way towards the city centre with stops at Barnton Street, King Street, St John Street (set down only), the Castle Esplanade, Broad Street and Station Road before heading back.
Further improvement plans for the Landtrain include a GPS Commentary system highlighting landmarks and places of interest around the route and a map for passengers.
Meanwhile, a dedicated Facebook page has been set up for the attraction with information about running times and more.
For details, visit www.facebook.com/GoForthStirlingLandTrain
Image: Ross Parker (right) and friend Ian Saunders
Sponsored Links
Latest Stirling News
Cornton Street Party Celebration to mark Changing Seasons
Stirling’s Remembering Together project is set to host a celebration of community, creativity and the changing seasons on Thursday 2nd May in the heart of Cornton.
READ MORE
Top tips for visiting the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
Now in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MORE
Lights, camera, action, Delight as Stirling Studios announced
Stirling Council is thrilled to announce the creation of Stirling Studios, which will be among the biggest film studio campuses in Scotland.
READ MORE
Family Fun as BRICKLIVE Ocean arrives in Stirling
Families have been following a fascinating trail featuring life-size brick models of sea creatures around Stirling at the BRICKLIVE Ocean tour which runs until Sunday April 21st.
READ MORE
New Finds at Culloden Battlefield shed more light on intensity of battle
Latest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MORE
Kevin McKenzie Named Honorary Chieftain of the 2024 Stirling Highland Game
The Stirling Highland Games Committee is thrilled to announce that former Scotland International hooker Kevin McKenzie has been appointed as the Honorary Chieftain for the 2024 Games.
READ MORE
Teenager up for Song of the Year at The John Lennon Songwriter Contest
17 year old Brodie Brown from Stirling goes head-to-head for ‘Song of the Year’ at The John Lennon Songwriter Awards despite life-long physical and mental health battles.
READ MORE
Scottish Game Fair returns for its 35th year
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MORE
Dobbies Garden Centres unveils Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience
Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.
READ MORE
POSTPONED: Springfest at Loch Lomond Shores
This year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.
READ MORE
Historic sites across Scotland get ready to reopen their doors
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MORE
Diabetes Scotland will host a virtual event for young people 11 to 25 living with type 1 diabetes
Join Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MORE
Iconic Noughties stars make cheeky comeback to launch limited edition IRN BRU flavours
Noughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MORE
Enjoy an Eggcellent Easter Break with Macdonald Hotels
Macdonald Hotels, one of the UK’s most popular independent hotel groups, invites you to join them for an Easter break to remember.
READ MORE
Clydesdale Horses Gather to celebrate Kelpies Sculptures Effect a decade on
A mass gathering of heavy horses assembled at the home of Scotland’s iconic Kelpies structures today (Tuesday, March 26) in celebration of the forthcoming 10th anniversary.
READ MORE
Free activities this Easter at Dobbies
Dobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.
READ MORE
Deadline looms for 30th Scottish Thistle Awards public nominations
The search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.
READ MORE
Springfest is back this April... with all things foodie as well as a host of entertainment and things to do!
This year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.
READ MORE
Fun family favourites leap into action on the big screen this Easter break at Vue
A host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.
READ MORE
Winners revealed at Go Forth Stirling 2024 Business Awards
A range of Stirling’s outstanding independent business owners were rewarded with trophies last night at the city’s annual Business Awards.
READ MORE
A taste of what is to come at Paisley Food and Drink Festival
Spring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!
READ MORE
National Theatre of Scotland announce full cast and creative team for Maggie & Me
Full cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!
READ MORE
Dobbies invites nominations for national community initiative
Dobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.
READ MORE
Scottish stovies and strange sheep are announced as the winning entries for The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
A sinister story involving 'stovies' and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
READ MORE
Easter fun for every bunny with the National Trust For Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland is going hopping mad for Easter and hosting a bumper 35 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care this spring.
READ MORE
Business Community Gears Up for Annual BID Awards
Stirling’s business community is getting ready to celebrate at the city’s annual awards for independent traders.
READ MORE
Work to excavate Pictish Stone near Doune to get underway
Excavation work on a Pictish stone of potential ‘international significance’, discovered buried in a cemetery near Doune, will begin within the next fortnight.
READ MORE
Inspiring runners demonstrate transformative power of running
Great Run 2024 series highlights inspirational stories from runners around the UK.
READ MORE
Dobbies invites families to hop along to its breakfast event
Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is bringing back its much-loved Easter event, inviting families to hop along to their nearest store and enjoy an Easter Bunny Breakfast egg-stravaganza.
READ MORE
Celebrate International Womens Day at Vue with these iconic stories
Friday 8th March marks International Women's Day and to celebrate Vue is set to screen four inspiring films which follow the achievements of incredible female leads.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links