Stirling Heritage Alliance

SDT initially assumed responsibility for the management and operation of a number of heritage properties throughout Stirlingshire.  When the global financial crisis of 2007 to 2009 had a significant impact on tourism across Scotland, the decision was taken to focus on the management and operation of a single site – the National Wallace Monument.  From 2012 onwards the charity invested in the attraction and developed a number of key projects including a full refurbishment of the exhibition galleries, completed in 2019.  Stirling Council elected to take the National Wallace Monument back under direct management in 2020 when SDT’s lease expired.

Since 2020 SDT have continued to run Legends at the Monument, at the foot of the National Wallace Monument, welcoming visitors from around the world and around the corner to a great coffee house offering freshly made soup, scones and a range of food and sweet treats as well as hot and cold drinks.  The gift shop on site is well stocked with a variety of lovely items, many from local businesses.

In 2023 SDT entered into an innovative partnership with the Church of the Holy Rude.  The Church remains a working Church but also provides a visitor destination from April to October, managed and operated by SDT, offering guided tours, exhibitions and a range of events to help bring the story of the Church’s history to life for visitors while also offering a calm space for contemplation and reflection.

In 2024 SDT entered into a partnership with Scotland’s oldest charitable trust, Cowane’s Trust, and the visitor experience at the Church of the Holy Rude is now enhanced through Legends at Cowane’s serving light refreshments within Cowane’s Hospital, a 17th Century Almshouse across from the church. In 2025 Stirling District Tourism adopted a new identity for the charity to accurately reflect the scope and the direction of its activities – Stirling Heritage Alliance.  This underlines the charity’s focus on the city of Stirling and its heritage, and its commitment to working in partnership with other groups and organisations.  It is through such relationships that Stirling Heritage Alliance will be able to play an important role in helping to ensure the city’s rich heritage can be experienced and enjoyed by visitors and residents alike.