Since Spring 2023, The Church of the Holy Rude has been working in partnership with Stirling District Tourism (SDT), a local charity committed to managing and promoting cultural and historic events, services and attractions in the Stirling area, to deliver a wonderful visitor experience at the Church of the Holy Rude.
On Sunday 15 September a landmark agreement was signed between Stirling’s most historic church, and a local charity which seeks to present and interpret the city’s heritage to visitors and local residents.
This partnership has enabled Stirling District Tourism to develop the visitor experience at the beautiful and historic Church and will go on to help ensure the Church of the Holy Rude continues to tell the story of Stirling and of Scotland to both visitors and local people, today and in the future.
The Church has a long and intriguing history and aside from Westminster Abbey, is the only existing Church in the UK to have hosted a Royal Coronation when Mary Queen of Scots infant son was crowned James VI of Scotland there in 1567.
The Reverend Alan Miller, Minister at the Church of the Holy Rude Manager said, “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Stirling District Tourism in welcoming visitors to learn about the Church’s history and enjoy a time of reflection within the Church’s historic walls. The team at SDT manage to balance the needs of our working Church alongside the Church as an attraction for visitors very well and we look forward to continuing to work together’.
David Black, Chair of Stirling District Tourism, added ‘We were delighted to find a partner that aligns with our values, and we very much look forward to working with Alan and the Church in continuing to bring this wonderful building to life for Stirling’s local people and visitors.’
The Church welcomes a number of events this year, with pre booked tours running on 20 & 21 September for Doors Open Days, a Music and Laser Spectacular featuring a live orchestra on 5 October and a day conference celebrating Stirling’s rich Heritage with a number of speakers and a guided walk of the Old Town Cemetery. Tickets for the conference will shortly be available on the Chruch’s website: www.churchoftheholyrude.co.uk
