Holy Rude Highlights: July’s Insights and Community News
Welcome to the newest edition of the Church of the Holy Rude newsletter! We’re delighted to bring you the latest news about the Church of the Holy Rude, along with visitor information and upcoming events.
July holds special significance for the Holy Rude, as the 29th marks the anniversary of the crowning of King James VI. On this historic date, July 29th, 1567, the infant James VI was crowned King of Scotland in our church, with John Knox delivering a powerful coronation address. To commemorate this occasion, the Friends of the Church organised their annual lecture evening, with guest speaker Dr. Theo Van Heijnsbergen in celebration of the 457th anniversary of the coronation.
The church is open daily for visitors from 10 am to 5:30 pm (1 pm to 5:30pm on Sundays after worship). Don’t miss our gift shop’s unique Scottish souvenirs, or alternatively you can check out the coffee and cake deal at Legends at Cowane’s Coffee Hatch just opposite the Church. Thank you for your support in preserving Stirling’s rich history. Visit www.churchoftheholyrude.co.uk and follow us on Facebook for updates (@VisitTheChurchoftheHolyRude).
Visit the Church of the Holy Rude
Our visitor season continues to thrive, with guests from around the world. We had the pleasure of hosting the Mary Queen of Scots Society and choirs from Texas, more recently we welcomed local artist Iona Leishman who is invited to paint within the Church. Check out our Facebook page for her progress and finished pieces. Recent highlights include hosting the Chapterhouse Theatre Company for the first time, who performed ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ against the stunning backdrop of the Church. We were excited to be involved in such a programme and look forward to their next visit to Stirling.
Visitor Information: The church is open to the public Monday through Sunday, from 10 am to 6 pm, with the last admission at 5:30 pm. On Sundays, following the morning worship service, the church is open from 1 pm to 5:30 pm. For more details about the worship service, please visit holyrude.org.
Gift Shop: Don’t forget to stop by our gift shop for a unique Scottish souvenir. We offer a variety of gifts from local businesses, including candles, jewellery, soft toys, and a wide selection of books on Stirling and Scottish history.
Thank you for being part of our community, and we look forward to welcoming you to the Church of the Holy Rude!
Upcoming Events at the Church of the Holy Rude
Sunday 11th August 2-3pm: Performance from multi-style Cellist and song writer from South Australia, William Jack.
William Jack is a multi-style cellist and songwriter from South Australia. He is best known for incorporating his jazz guitar background into an unconventional style of cello playing, with a passion for breaking boundaries between genres and cultures. His music transitions seamlessly from virtuosic folk & bluegrass compositions, to non-Western sound worlds.
Since his classical studies in Vienna, William has forged his own cello pathway, touring Europe, Australia and the UK extensively. He has recently performed his solo compositions from his debut album ‘This Old Cello Box’ on BBC Introducing and Radio 3. William was selected to perform as a ‘New Folk’ songwriter at the 2023 Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas. He has been fortunate to work with numerous world-renowned artists, including Tom Rosenthal, Joseph Lawrence, Fryars, Hari & Sukmani and Laure Chan. William enjoys exploring the ever-expanding capabilities of string instruments and bringing the cello into new territories.
Ticket Price includes entry to the beautiful, historic Church of the Holy Rude in Stirling’s Medieval Quarter.
For ticket bookings, please visit this link: Eventbrite – William Jack: Multi-Style Cellist Live.
Sunday 25th August 2-3:30pm: Stirlings Old Town Cemetery Guided Walk with Dr Murray Cook
Join Dr Murray Cook on a guided walk exploring Stirling’s Old Cemetery, the resting place of some remarkable characters, the site of some incredible graves and recently featured in Season 2 of Good Omens! From the American War of Independence to the thin red line; from slave owners to freedom fighters and much more.
Meet at the front door of the Church of the Holy Rude just before 2 pm. We will be keeping to the footpaths, but wear sturdy shoes and dress for changeable weather!
Please note, there is no parking at the Church. Street parking is available but parking meter charges apply.
For ticket bookings, please visit this link: Uncovering the Secrets of Stirling’s Old Cemetery.
Legends at Cowanes Coffee Hatch
This summer, visit Legends at Cowane’s within the Guild Halls and take advantage of their special coffee and cake deal for only £6.50! Alongside this delicious offer, they also serve a variety of toasties, sandwiches, and soups. It’s the perfect spot for locals and visitors alike. Enjoy your treats on the terrace while soaking in the medieval quarter or explore Cowane’s Hospital (free entry) to learn about John Cowane, Stirling’s greatest benefactor. Don’t miss out on this tasty deal!
Remember to show your Church of the Holy Rude receipt and receive a 10% discount on your coffee order!
Updates for Stirling
We are excited to remind you about the Stirling Sightseer hop-on hop-off bus tour, which is running every hour, every day until September 2024 in celebration of the Royal Burgh’s 900th anniversary. The tour begins on Goosecroft Road, opposite Stirling rail station, and offers full commentary on board. Tickets are available on board or through the Midland Bluebird app. The tour includes stops at Stirling Castle, which is just a five-minute walk from the Church of the Holy Rude and Legends at Cowane’s Coffee Hatch!
Additionally, Stirling District Tourism (SDT) has released a new self-guided leaflet for the Church of the Holy Rude, complementing the ‘Stories in Stone’ leaflet on the Old Town Cemetery. This new guide will help you uncover hidden stories within the church walls and follow a map to explore key sites of interest. Our dedicated volunteers are on site at both the church and graveyard to assist with any questions.
Make the most of your visit and enjoy all that Stirling has to offer!
Welcome, Iain Dupount (SDT)
Stirling District Tourism are pleased to welcome Iain Dupount as Operations Manager. He will be overseeing the operations at the Church of the Holy Rude, Legends at Cowanes and Legends at the Monument.
Iain Doupount –
Born and raised in Stirling, Iain has over a decade of experience in tourism and heritage, having worked across various sites in central and southern Scotland. As Operations Manager Iain is responsible for the day-to-day running of Legends at the Monument, as well as managing the team at the Church of the Holyrood, and the catering team at Cowane’s Hospital. Iain is focused on helping the teams at Legends, Church of the Holyrood, Cowane’s continue to deliver excellent visitor experiences, alongside growing links with local community groups and heritage sites.
Volunteer Opportunities
If you are local to the area and wish to be involved with the church, there are volunteer opportunities as a guide at the church, or as a guide at the graveyard. Please email holyrude@sdtourism.org for further information and your availability. Additionally, if you would like to volunteer with Cowane’s Hospital and help preserve the legacy of John Cowane, please contact hello@cowanes.org.uk
A Charity with a Mission
Stirling District Tourism, an independent charity, helps to preserve and promote Stirling’s rich history by managing The Church of the Holy Rude and Legends at Cowane’s Coffee Hatch, as well as Legends at the Monument and runs heritage themed events throughout the year in the greater Stirling area. Your support by visiting the church and supporting via donations allows us to keep the doors open to the public and to celebrate the vast history within these walls.
Thank you for your continued support.
For more information about the Church of the Holy Rude please visit www.churchoftheholyrude.co.uk.
Stay connected with us on Facebook (@VisittheChurchoftheHolyRude) for updates on events and news.