Church of the Holy Rude

About Church of the Holy Rude

	Church of the Holy Rude St John Street, Stirling FK8 1ED
	Church of the Holy Rude Website

Listed Under Attractions - History and Culture Activities - History and Heritage

Founded in 12th century, the Church of the Holy Rude is the second oldest building in Stirling.

The church occupies a magnificent location on the shoulder of the city’s highest hill and thanks to the short proximity to Stirling Castle it played a unique place in history. It was here that James VI was crowned King of Scotland in 1567 with the ceremony being performed by John Knox.

The Church has been the historic Burgh Kirk, or Parish Church, of Stirling for 900 years and is the only church still in active use, apart from Westminster Abbey in London, to have hosted a coronation, when the infant King James VI of Scotland (later also James I of England) was crowned in the Holy Rude on the 29th July 1567.

Entry is free, but they do rely on donations from visitors to help maintain the fabric of the church and the witness of the congregation for the future. They therefore ask that visitors give a minimum donation of £2.00 per person.

Upcoming Events at Church of the Holy Rude

Bloody Scotland: Gala Opening, McIlvanney Prize and Torchlight Procession

20th September 2019

Bloody Scotland 2019 opens in the stunning and historic surroundings of the Church of the Holy Rude, followed by a torchlight procession through Stirling’s old town.

Charity Concert: A Glimpse of Heaven performed by Masterworks Chorale

2nd November 2019

Internationally acclaimed UK choir Masterworks Chorale are bringing their A Glimpse of Heaven tour to Church of the Holy Rude on 2nd November!

More History and Culture in Stirling

Alloa Tower

Alloa Tower Alloa Park, Alloa FK10 1PP

Take a whistle-stop tour through 700 years of Scottish history at Scotland’s largest and oldest keep, the ancestral home of the influential Erskine...
Read more

Argylls Lodging

NA Castle Wynd, Stirling FK8 1EG

Argyll’s Lodging is Scotland’s most splendid and complete example of a 17th century townhouse.It was a residence of the Earl of Stirling and later...
Read more

Callendar House

Callendar House Callendar Park, Falkirk FK1 1YR

Callendar House dates from the 14th century. It is set in the nationally-important historic designed landscape of Callendar Park, which also contains...
Read more

Cowanes Hospital

49 St John Street, Stirling FK8 1ED

Cowane’s Hospital is a 17th century almshouse in the historic city of Stirling. It is also known as The Guildhall, as the Stirling Guildry have held...
Read more

Doune Castle

Doune Castle Castle Hill, Doune FK16 6EA

Built for the Regent Albany, Doune Castle is a magnificent late 14th century courtyard castle. Its most striking feature is the 100ft high gatehouse which...
Read more

Duncarron Medieval Village

Clanranald Trust for Scotland Carron Valley, Nr Denny FK6 5JL

Reconstructed, fortified village based on 11th-century motte and bailey design, with visitor centre.
Read more

Kinneil House

Kinneil House and Estate NA, Bo'ness EH51 0PR

Built next to the Antonine Wall, Kinneil House was the chief seat of the powerful and wealthy Hamilton family.
Read more

Kinneil Museum

Kinneil Museum Duchess Anne Cottages, Boness EH51 0PR

Kinneil Museum is located in the 17th century stable building of Kinneil House, Bo'ness.
Read more

Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle Castle Esplanade, Stirling FK8 1EJ

Stirling Castle is a great symbol of Scottish independence & a source of national pride. Visitors can now step back into the sumptuous world of Stirling...
Read more

Stirling Old Town Jail

Stirling Old Town Jail St John St, Stirling FK8 1EA

Discover tales of the horrible history of crime and punishment in the Royal Burgh of Stirling. You’ll hear of infamous executioner Jock “The Happy...
Read more

The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum

The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum The Castle, Stirling FK8 1EH

The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum is located in Stirling Castle, in the city of Stirling, Scotland.The Museum traces the history of the 91st...
Read more

The Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre

Bannockburn Glasgow Road, Stirling FK7 0LJ

Built in 2014, our award-winning visitor centre is inspired by traditional Scottish architecture and is a welcoming and accommodating venue for all ages...
Read more

The Engine Shed

NA Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 2BY

A place to explore your built heritageOur built heritage tells countless stories: of the people who built them, lived in them and used them. We passionately...
Read more

The National Wallace Monument

Abbey Craig Hillfoots Road, Causewayhead FK9 5LF

The Wallace Monument stands tall and proud outside the city of Stirling, overlooking the scene of Scotland’s victory at The Battle of Stirling Bridge...
Read more

The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum

The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum Dumbarton Road, Stirling FK8 2RQ

The Stirling Smith is the home of a significant collection of rare and unique artefacts, spanning centuries of Scottish, British and World history. The...
Read more