360 Panorama taken inside the Church of the Holy Rude in Stirling. The picture was taken part way down the nave of this massive church and shows part of the 15C wooden roof and church organ.

Church of the Holy Rude - Stirling visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Church of the Holy Rude' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Stirlingshire.

The Church of the Holy Rude is the second oldest building in Stirling after Stirling Castle and an important tourist attraction in the city. It is one of the finest medieval parish churches in Scotland and still boasts the original 15th century oak beam roof held together by wooden pegs. Holy Rude means 'Holy Cross', this is the same origin as Holyrood in Edinburgh. Visitors to the church should also take time to explore the church graveyard.

The first Holy Rude church on the site was built in the 1130s during the reign of David I. The early church suffered greatly during a fire in 1405 and was extensively re-built during the 15th century, completing the nave and lower part of the tower. It was in this church that the infant James VI was crowned King of Scotland on 29 July 1567.

Further additions between 1507 and 1555 saw the construction of the choir and apse to the east of the original nave. The tower was also raised to keep it in proportion with the larger church. Further plans for enlargement of the church were stopped by the Reformation.

In 1656 a wall was erected separating the choir from the nave within the church, effectively dividing it into 2 congregations. This was the result of an argument between the then minister of Stirling, Rev James Guthrie, and a colleague. The wall was finally removed in 1936 during restoration work that also removed alterations from the 1800s that obscured the wooden roof.

Church of the Holy Rude
St John Street,
Stirling FK8 1ED
Tel: 01786 475275
Church Website

Bus: St John Street, Broad Street
Road: The Church of the Holy Rude is at the top of St John Street, next to the Old Town Jail. Best parking is on the Esplanade before Stirling Castle.