Stirling Old Town Cemetery

Stirling Old Town Cemetery contains a treasure trove of memorials with significant historical importance. It also provides incredible views over Stirling Castle and the surrounding hills while allowing for a peaceful walk.

We have been using Stirling as an overnight stop off on our way to the Highlands for years. When visiting, we never fail going up for a wander around this amazing cemetery.

The cemetery covers the vast space between Stirling Castle and the Church of Holy Rude. The Stirling Old Town Cemetery incorporates a few different areas, firstly there is the Valley Cemetery containing memorials to Reformers, then there's the Snowdon Cemetery which contains the oldest grave, there's also the Old Kirkyard which includes Ladies Rock, and finally the Drummond Pleasure Ground which is a small park within the cemetery.

There is so much to see at the cemetery, so I am going to highlight the places that shouldn't be missed when visiting.

The Star Pyramid - Salem Rock

The Star Pyramid otherwise known as the 'Salam Rock' can be found in the Drummond Pleasure Ground section of the cemetery.

It is a huge sandstone pyramid which can be see from every part of the cemetery. The pyramid sits on a stepped base and is set on an elevated grassy mound and is enclosed within wrought iron railings.

The Star Pyramid commemorates the martyrs of the Scottish Reformation who put their lives on the line for their religious beliefs. To reflect the significance of their faith, the pyramid houses four marble Bibles inscribed with poignant words. Below the bibles are further carvings of the words Covenant Rest, Throne of Right, Rock of Ace and Union Banner and Psalms chapter and verse references.

There is a further Bible and Confession of Faith sealed in an inner chamber of the pyramid.

The Star Pyramid was commissioned by William Drummond in 1863, and built by William Barclay. A stone memorial for William Drummond is the only gravestone present in the Drummond Pleasure Ground. William planted the garden around the Pyramid with the trees and plants. He also paid for five of the six statues seen in various parts of the graveyard and donated trees to be planted around the National Wallace Monument.

William was a land surveyor and a nurseryman, who's family were well known in the Stirling area. Their contributions include an extensive seed and nursery business, creation of an agricultural museum, the Drummond Tract Enterprise, and publishing 19th century religious pamphlets.

From the Star Pyramid, we will walk further into the cemetery to our next port of call, 'The Statues'.

The Martyrs Monument - The Statues

The Martyrs Monument can be found in the Old Kirkyard section of Stirling Old Town Cemetery. It is in memory of an eighteen year old girl and an elderly lady from Wigtown, who were found guilty of treason and horrifically killed by drowning at the Martyrs Stake.

Margaret Wilson aged 18, Agnes Wilson aged 13 and Margaret McLauchlan in her 60's were tried and found guilty and sentenced to death.

Agnes's father was able to buy her freedom, but the two Margaret's were led to a point below high water mark on the Solway Firth, tied to stakes and left to drown.

Margaret Wilson was offered her freedom, but refused to relinquish her convictions and died for her faith along with Margaret McLauchlan on May 11th 1685.

The stunning marble statues were commissioned by William Drummond, and made by the sculptor Alexander Handyside Ritchie.

It was erected in 1859, without its protective cupola, that would follow in 1867. The cupola was designed by John Rochhead who was famous for designing the National Wallace Monument. It was cast at the Sun Foundry in Glasgow, and its installation necessitated the removal of a marble lamb.

From The Statues, we now take the short climb up to the dizzy heights of 'Ladies Rock'.

Ladies Rock - The Viewpoint

The summit of Ladies Rock offers the most spectacular views. The name is derived from where the Ladies of the Royal Court would spectate sporting events that were held in what is now the Valley Cemetery.

The toposcope on the top of Ladies Rock shows the surrounding hills and prominent features. The original was funded by William Connal of Solsgirth and offered to Stirling Town Council in 1889. The council accepted the offer and on 12th August 1890 the toposcope was inaugurated. The metal toposcope you see today is a replacement for the original.

Ladies Rock is also the spot that Bonnie Prince Charlie stood directing the siege on Stirling Castle in 1746.

From Ladies Rock we head back down the hill and head for the oval area containing the three 'Reformer Statues'.

Reformer Statues

The Reformer Statues stand on a slightly elevated oval piece of grass in the Valley Cemetery. The three statues you see here are Alexander Henderson, John Knox, and Andrew Melville. The other two are James Guthrie, John Welsh which are elsewhere in the cemetery.

The Valley Cemetery was opened in 1857, and the event was marked by the unveiling of a statue of James Guthrie which was paid for by public subscription. The remaining four were paid for by William Drummond and carved by Alexander Handyside Ritchie.

Whilst on a mission to discover as much as I could about the cemetery, I came across the Old Town Cemetery Stirling website which I found very helpful and is provided by Stirling Council.

There is a car park next to Stirling Castle which overlooks the cemetery. By parking there, you also get the opportunity to visit the Boer War Memorial and the Robert the Bruce Statue.