Vox Pop: The Tolbooth

Housed in a restored historic building, The Tolbooth is Scotland's newest music and arts centre.

Scotland Is The Place visited on a frosty night in December to join in a new music workshop and found the atmosphere inside sizzling with energy. Here's what staff and visitors at The Tolbooth had to say about life, music and having fun in Stirling...

David Scott, Scotland

"I don't really feel drawn to live anywhere else, you know, apart from Scotland. Everything you need is here. As a touring musician I've seen all kinds of places. Scottish people are by nature internationalists. In the last two or three years Stirling has really hipped up, there are loads of new places."

Marco Rea, Scotland

"I've worked in Ireland, London, promoting albums and doing music and stuff. But yeah, it's a definite choice to be in Scotland. I prefer the vibes here. Scotland is very fruitful and creative. At Pump up the Jam, I work with all the real youngsters. We've made a great song."

Charlotte Workman, Scotland

"I started coming here with a friend about three years ago. It's pretty cool. I play the drums. The best thing about Scotland is not the weather! I think the best thing is for a small country there's lots of talent."

David McDonald, England

"I'm the Arts Development Officer for Stirling Council, based at the Tolbooth. In the past five years or so the arts scene in Stirling has seen something of a meteoric rise. I'm from London originally. I moved to Scotland nine years ago for love! I'm definitely settled here for the near future. The people are really open and friendly."

Carol Laula, Scotland

"The best thing about Scotland is the weather…no, it's the sense of humour! There's so much new stuff coming out of Scotland but there's always been a vibrant music culture up here, right back to Celtic culture. At Pump up the Jam we concentrate on new music. We bring our experience together with raw talent."

Hugh Guthrie, Scotland

"I'm going to see Franz Ferdinand at the SECC in Glasgow on Saturday but I've seen them before at the Barrowlands in Glasgow. I go to loads of gigs."

Iain Robertson, Scotland

"There are tons of good bands from Scotland. There are loads. Obviously Franz Ferdinand, Biffy Clyro. Scotland is really good for music. We're all performing what we've rehearsed here next week."

Thanks to everyone at the Tolbooth and Pump Up the Jam, who let Scotland Is The Place into their final workshop before the big performance. Find out more about events at the Tolbooth by visiting www.stirling.gov.uk/tolbooth.