Cowane's

Cowane's Official page of The Patrons of Cowane's Hospital Trust. Registered Scottish Charity, No. SC019364

The recently renovated Cowane’s Hospital is an Almshouse dating back to the 17th century and is situated in at the 'Top of the Town' in Stirling, opposite the magnificent Church of the Holy Rude. A free public exhibition is on display in the main hall of the building, known as the Guild Hall, and is currently open from 10am - 4pm, 7 days a week. Opened in Spring 2024 is the Legends at Cowane's Cof

fee Shop where you will be able to enjoy refreshments inside the stunning Guildhall or, weather permitting, outside on our terrace taking delight in the historic views and overlooking the oldest Bowling Green in Scotland and our Dutch Parterre Gardens. Further information about the history and hire of the building for events and special occasions can be found at www.cowanes.org.uk

The Cowane’s Trust offers relief for those in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship, or other disadvantage through the provision of housing, and in particular sheltered housing, within the local government area of Stirling Council. Also the advancement of heritage through the maintenance, care and preservation of the historic buildings in Stirling known as Cowane’s Hospital and John Cowane’s House. Other land and buildings which are either owned by the Trust or connected to John Cowane or properties that are of interest to the Trust and are in some way connected to the Trusts charitable objectives. Patrons of Cowane's Hospital Trust - Scottish Registered Charity No: SC019364

The Cowane's Trust is delighted to be included in the upcoming Vernacular Architecture Group 4 day conference that is co...
03/06/2026

The Cowane's Trust is delighted to be included in the upcoming Vernacular Architecture Group 4 day conference that is coming to Stirling next week!

The conference will welcome delegates from across the UK, and further afield, showcasing some amazing examples of Scottish Buildings from Cruck Cottages to Castles including Cowane's Hospital and John Cowane's House.

The event will be hosted by The Scottish Vernacular Buildings Working Group, a charity dedicated to raising awareness of Scotland's amazing Vernacular Buildings.

For more information please visit https://svbwg.org.uk/

31/05/2026
Tomorrow sees the ancient tradition of the Stirling Walking the Marches in the city ⚒You can join in the procession star...
29/05/2026

Tomorrow sees the ancient tradition of the Stirling Walking the Marches in the city ⚒

You can join in the procession starting at 10.45am from the Rotunda by The Golden Lion Hotel Stirling then enjoy entertainment on the Bowling Green here at Cowane's Hospital at the end🥳

For more details please visit stirlingwalkingthemarches.org


Photo by Janie Meikle Bland

With the Stirling Walking the Marches happening this Saturday we get asked a lot about the Guildry March Stone located h...
28/05/2026

With the Stirling Walking the Marches happening this Saturday we get asked a lot about the Guildry March Stone located here at Cowane's Hospital on the historic Bowling Green.

The Guildry March Stone was installed in March 2022 and is number 4 in a series of 5 March Stones, kindly created and gifted to the City of Stirling by Historic Environment Scotland. This Stone celebrated 900 years of Guildry history in Stirling and has on its slanting top face a reversed 4 which is the ancient symbol of the Merchant Guild of Stirling.

For more information about the March Stones and ancient tradition please visit:
www.cowanes.org.uk/cowanes-hospital/the-march-stones-of-stirling/



In the sunshine last weekend the traditional Perambulation of the Stirling Walking the Marches took place. This saw the ...
27/05/2026

In the sunshine last weekend the traditional Perambulation of the Stirling Walking the Marches took place. This saw the Birlawmen sworn in at a ceremony in the majestic Great Hall of Stirling Castle followed by a visit to the historic Bowling Green at Cowane's Hospital where the Guildry March Stone can be found ☀

The Perambulation is a forerunner to the formal Walking of the Marches which takes place this Saturday, 30th May. You can join the procession at 10.45am from the King Street Rotunda by the The Golden Lion Hotel Stirling and culminates at the Cowane's Bowling Green for entertainment 🥳

For more information please visit www.stirlingwalkingthemarches.org



Photo by John, 2026 Perambulation, Stirling Walking the Marches

Tomorrow sees the historic start of the annual Perambulation of the Stirling Walking the Marches - an 800-year old tradi...
22/05/2026

Tomorrow sees the historic start of the annual Perambulation of the Stirling Walking the Marches - an 800-year old tradition - starting at Stirling Castle and finishing at the 17th Century Almshouse, Cowane's Hospital.

All the more special this year as the Captain of the Burlewmen is Mike Robbins, former Chair of the Cowane’s Trust, the oldest charitable Trust in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

We are looking forward to welcoming the Stirling Walking the Marches to the Bowling Green at Cowane's Hospital for enter...
21/05/2026

We are looking forward to welcoming the Stirling Walking the Marches to the Bowling Green at Cowane's Hospital for entertainment on Saturday 30th May!

For more information on this historic tradition please visit www.stirlingwalkingthemarches.org

Last month we welcomed the Scottish Tourist Guides Association to Cowane's Hospital and send our congratulations to the ...
12/05/2026

Last month we welcomed the Scottish Tourist Guides Association to Cowane's Hospital and send our congratulations to the newly qualified blue badge tourist guide graduates 🥳

Welcome to our newly qualified Blue Badge Tourist Guides who graduated last month after 18 months of training and multiple assessments throughout Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
We’re delighted and wish them the very best 🥳

The sunny terrace overlooking the gardens and historic Bowling Green at Cowane's Hospital is the perfect way to enjoy co...
04/05/2026

The sunny terrace overlooking the gardens and historic Bowling Green at Cowane's Hospital is the perfect way to enjoy coffee and cake this Bank Holiday Monday 🌷☀

The Legends at Cowane's Coffee Shop open today from 10am to 4pm! 🍰☕

Visit The Church of the Holy Rude

Address

49 St John Street
Stirling
FK81ED

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441786472247

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