Hidden Stirling: Outlawed, Unknown, Locked, Destroyed, Overlooked and Secret Gems from Scotland's Smallest City

by Murray Cook

Overview

Discover surprising stories and secret sites of Stirling with renowned archaeologist Dr Murray Cook as your guide. In "Hidden Stirling", Murray unveils some lesser-known historical gems of this ancient Scottish city and its surrounding areas, offering readers a fresh perspective on its rich past.

Explore the mysteries of some of Stirling's most celebrated buildings, from the Castle and Tolbooth to the Municipal Building and Golden Lion Hotel. Then discover the secrets of the surrounding area, where prehistoric fortifications whisper tales of ancient communities. Uncover the significance of the grand Church of the Holy Rude, the only surviving church in the United Kingdom apart from Westminster Abbey to have hosted a royal coronation, and unravel the enigmas of the Old Town Cemetery-a graveyard of European significance.

The author's ever-engaging narrative brings to light the strategic importance of Stirling's geography, from its position as the lowest crossing point of the River Forth to its role in pivotal battles that shaped Scotland's destiny. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, "Hidden Stirling" encourages you to journey beyond the familiar, revealing the city's untold tales and inviting you to see Stirling in a brand new light.

Whether you're a history enthusiast or a curious visitor, or even a proud Stirling local, this book offers a treasure trove of unexpected insights that will deepen your appreciation for this amazing city's unique heritage.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781739484590
Publisher:	Extremis Publishing Ltd.
Publication date:	04/30/2025
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 6.50(h) x 0.35(d)

About the Author

Dr Murray Cook is Stirling Council's Archaeologist. He lives in the city with a long-suffering wife, three teenage girls and two pesky but loveable cats. He has undertaken numerous excavations across the region and published over 50 books and articles. He won a Stirling's Provost Award in 2018 for his work for the Council, where he has helped raise over £300,000 to be spent on community archaeology and research, and was even invited to see the Queen at Holyrood Palace, along with a few hundred others! He has appeared on several TV programmes, and has sometime even been paid. He writes a regular column in the Stirling Observer, is an Honorary Research Fellow at Stirling University, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, runs an occasional course at Forth Valley College on Stirling and likes to do it in ditches (archaeology that is!). He also co-runs regular training digs open to all under the name Rampart Scotland. In March 2025 he was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to the City Award at the Stirling Business Awards 2025. If you share Murray's passion for the past, why not look up his weekly blog Stirling's Archaeology? It's free to join.