The Exhibition opening was in December 2025, and was on show to end January 2026.
The (Completely True) Ned Stirling Biography
Ned was born in 1892 near Stirling, in central Scotland, with two left hands and, grew up in a military family. He had a great interest in travel and flying and first served in the Royal Air Corp during WWI as a pilot. He was thought to be shot down and killed, but unexpectedly re-appeared in time to be commissioned as a Mitchell B25 bomber pilot in WW2, when he was shot down and killed again. He was at first denied a pilot’s licence from RAF because of his two left hands, he replied “you let Douglas Bader fly with two tin legs”! That’s how to get your licence Ned Stirling style.
After the second World War, with a three wheel drive Range Rover Trike and Airstream Van, Ned went on to do a grand tour of India, the Middle East and Africa.
Always liking a good story, he collected artefacts and items of interest on his travels which he shipped to Tasmania and stored in a warehouse not evident to most, which he called The Inventarium.
His friend Christine is in charge of this collection and unfortunately has had to deal with people Ned doesn’t respect!
Ned still drinks real tea (not tea bags) and of course puts milk in first, uses a Parker fountain pen and ink, and describes himself as a steam punker!
He rides an AJS 500cc motorcycle with Swallow Sidecar from the early 1950’s.
Photos from Ned Stirling Opening display:
AJS Motorcycle (1951) and Swallow Sidecar (1953) –
AJS were made by A. J. Stevens & Co. Ltd UK. Swallow were made by Swallow Sidecar and Coachbuilding Company, co-founder William Lyons, its business continued to prosper as S.S. Cars Limited and grew into Jaguar Cars Limited.
© Muirland Publishing & ERDO