Stirling: Difference between revisions
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There used to a property here called Snabhead, which was cut off by the motorways and served by a new, long driveway from the Bannockburn Roundabout. That property closed in the late 1970s, and its exit went on to be used by the new service area. The land itself had all been acquired by the Scottish Office for the construction of the two motorways. | There used to a property here called Snabhead, which was cut off by the motorways and served by a new, long driveway from the Bannockburn Roundabout. That property closed in the late 1970s, and its exit went on to be used by the new service area. The land itself had all been acquired by the Scottish Office for the construction of the two motorways. | ||
The Scottish Office had always wanted to turn this redundant land into a motorway service area, but the three that had been built in Scotland already were all struggling. The Scottish Office opted to hold back until work on the M9 and M80 had progressed. Informal discussions with prospective developers were held and Granada eventually took the project on. | |||
Stirling services opened on 17 March 1986. Following approval from the government, the [[Granada Lodge]] here was the first to open on a motorway, opening in May 1986 when it charged £20 for a single room. | Stirling services opened on 17 March 1986. Following approval from the government, the [[Granada Lodge]] here was the first to open on a motorway, opening in May 1986 when it charged £20 for a single room. | ||
Revision as of 21:34, 30 November 2022
M9 at J9
M80 at J9
(also accessible to traffic on the A91 and the A872)
Signposted from the road.
FK7 8EU
map and directions
Single site located at a junction.
In the northern reaches of Scotland's motorway network, Stirling services sits between two motorways, but neither of them are especially busy and as a result the place remains more relaxed than the service areas further south. Even the roundabout at its entrance, which is huge in size, is much less daunting than the equivalent junction in England.
Facilities
Catering: Burger King, Costa Coffee, Greggs, Costa Express, Krispy Kreme Shops: M&S Simply Food, WHSmith Amenities: Travelodge, Full Hou$e, Showers Outdoor Space: Grass banks around site; picnic tables Charging Points: GRIDSERVE Electric Highway 50kW CCS, 50kW CHAdeMO & 22kW Type 2 Forecourt: BP, Shop, Costa Express
Parking Prices
First 2 hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £15 and HGVs, caravans and motorhomes £26. HGVs can pay £29 to include a £10 food voucher.
Prices are paid using PayByPhone. The location code is 2464.
The fees are strictly enforced by CP Plus.
This information is provided to us by third parties. You should always check with staff on site.
Contact Details
🏢 Address:
Moto Hospitality Ltd
Stirling Motorway Services Area
Pirnhall
Stirling
FK7 8EU
- Amenity building and forecourt operated by Moto
- Hotel operated by Travelodge
- Foursquare Page
- 📞 Telephone number: 01786 813614
- 📌 what3words: ///paddocks.workers.fall
- more map options
Trivia and History
The two signs on the M9 immediately before the exit are both based on Diagram 838.1, which became redundant in 1982 and was supposed to be completely removed by 2005. The tell-tale clue is the old petrol pump symbol, which hasn't been used since the '90s, as well as the lack of any operator branding. There are a few of these elsewhere in the UK, but the others have all been patched to look more modern.
There used to a property here called Snabhead, which was cut off by the motorways and served by a new, long driveway from the Bannockburn Roundabout. That property closed in the late 1970s, and its exit went on to be used by the new service area. The land itself had all been acquired by the Scottish Office for the construction of the two motorways.
The Scottish Office had always wanted to turn this redundant land into a motorway service area, but the three that had been built in Scotland already were all struggling. The Scottish Office opted to hold back until work on the M9 and M80 had progressed. Informal discussions with prospective developers were held and Granada eventually took the project on.
Stirling services opened on 17 March 1986. Following approval from the government, the Granada Lodge here was the first to open on a motorway, opening in May 1986 when it charged £20 for a single room.
The small building had its entrance on the right (the far end compared to where it is now). This had a large restaurant area on the left, a shop straight ahead and toilets on the right. The area at the front was supposed to be a landscaped courtyard, and at the back was a viewing balcony with a telescope. A tourist information centre was soon opened outside the hotel.
The service area quickly exceeded expectations. Granada noted in 1988 that trading levels were above target by 120%. The Granada Lodge was particularly successful, with occupancy rates being recorded as 25% more than the national average. It became a Travelodge in 1996.
Scotland captain Colin Hendry opened the motorway network's first mini-cinema at Stirling services in 1998.
Developments
BAA McArthur Glen planned to build a large factory outlet shopping centre on the redundant land to the north of the service area in 1994. Their plans were refused twice by the local authority, on the basis that the development was inappropriate. A large car park would have been provided and a new roundabout would have been positioned behind the petrol station. Moto advertised the land for sale in 2012 as an opportunity to build a business park; signs promoting the land as "Pirnhall Stirling" were still visible in 2016.
In 1997, the restaurant area was extended to include a Burger King. It also experienced a number of changes, from Country Kitchen to Fresh Express and Caffè Ritazza, and then to EDC and Costa.
In 2012, a major refurbishment introduced a new entrance at the far end of the building, replacing the outdoor seating area. This created a new corridor running through the middle of the old restaurant - a common tactic in new service area design. The old entrance was boarded up. The main restaurant eventually closed, making space for a M&S Simply Food store.
The tourist information centre lasted remarkably longer than others, until at least 2017, but it was eventually closed and became Greggs.
Moto intend to add a Changing Places toilet here.
Alternatives
| Previous: | Next: | |
| Kinross (A977, 26 miles) | Services on the M9 | Dreghorn (A720, 33 miles) |
| Old Inns (9 miles) | Services on the M80 | end of road |
| Kinross (A977, 26 miles) | Moto services | none |
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