Significant progress has been made on specialist off-site activities, including stone conservation, clock restoration, and metalwork refurbishment. The procurement of replacement stone is also underway, all part of the plan for the successful delivery of this important heritage project.
On-site preparations will commence in late October, with the initial phase focusing on the existing clock tower base from early November. Scaffolding will then be erected for the clock tower reconstruction, scheduled to begin in January. The overall project completion is now set for the end of March 2027.
Expenditure of £898,000 for the restoration was approved at a Special Meeting of Stirling Council in February. Originally hoped to be finished by October 2026, the programme was extended after revisions to the restoration approach and schedule, advised by architects, the main contractor, and conservators. Projected costs remain unchanged.
All site works will be confined to the public space around the plinth, between Park Terrace and Melville Terrace, which includes the fountain and seating area. Road closures will only be necessary for major deliveries or heavy lifting activities, with advance communication planned for residents and businesses nearby.
“"Additional conservation requirements have extended the programme, but this reflects the realities of restoring a complex historic structure. We know how much the Christie Clock means to the people of Stirling and it is important that we complete the restoration and conservation of the tower to return this important landmark to Stirling. Our focus remains on delivering a high-quality restoration that protects the Christie Clock for future generations, while maintaining robust controls of the project, its costs and risks. The revised programme developed by our conservation specialists and contractors will see the project complete and the tower reinstated for spring next year."
The contract for the Christie Clock restoration was awarded on 27 February to Go-Wright Ltd, a specialist stonemasonry firm with heritage skills, supported by Graciela Ainsworth Sculpture Conservation and ZM Architecture.
Stone elements have been catalogued, cleaned, and transferred to specialist workshops under the guidance of Graciela Ainsworth Sculpture Conservation. Graciela Ainsworth stated, “The Christie Clock is an important historic monument and every stage of its restoration requires careful investigation, specialist craftsmanship and close attention to detail. Taking the time to fully understand the condition of each element allows us to conserve as much of the original fabric as possible and ensure the clock can be enjoyed by future generations. Our modelling and casting also includes a historically missing section to one of the pediments that will once again have Mr Christie’s full coat of arms hand carved from a re-used section of the original high-quality stone.”
Glasgow-based ZM Architecture is project managing the restoration. Nick Blair, Director of ZM Architecture, added, “Everyone working on this project is addressing the highest professional standards and preserving the integrity of the Christie Clock. An extensive programme of conservation work to the salvaged stones is underway and, in parallel, the required replacement masonry is currently being sourced from the quarry to be then hand carved to match on an exacting basis. The manufacture of new clock faces, together with the repair and manufacture of the remaining clock components is also well underway. This is important work and we are determined to deliver the very best for local people on the Christie Clock, which we know is one of Stirling’s most treasured landmarks.”
