Service updates

Representative of the King visits Stirling

A key representative of the King in Scotland was given a tour of Stirling’s most historical buildings and heard about the amazing work taking place in its communities during a recent visit.

First published

27 May 2025

Pictured outside the Guild Hall at Cowane’s Hospital are (from left): Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet, Ryan Buchanan;
Pictured outside the Guild Hall are inter-faith leaders alongside the Lord Lieutenant of Stirling & Falkirk, Colonel Charlie Wallace, Lady Elish Angiolini and Lord Provost Elaine Watterson.

The new Lord High Commissioner for the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Lady Elish Angiolini, was chosen by the King in December 2024 to be his personal representative at this year’s General Assembly – the supreme court of the Church of Scotland.

The Lord High Commissioner is appointed as the sovereign's representative at the proceedings, makes opening and closing addresses and carries out a number of official functions throughout the course of the week.

To support her work in the role, Lady Elish is visiting places across Scotland to meet multi-faith groups and organisations so she can report back on the work being undertaken in local communities.  

Stirling Lord Provost Elaine Watterson and Lord Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk, Colonel Charlie Wallace, together with interfaith leaders, greeted Lady Elish at the Church of the Holy Rude, before the group undertook a tour of the iconic and historic church that dates back to the 15th century.

Afterwards, Lady Eilish met invited guests from a wide range of organisations across Stirling at a reception inside The Guild Hall – part of the 17th century Cowane’s Hospital.

The Lord Provost thanked Lady Elish for coming to Stirling in a speech to invited guests and gifts were exchanged prior to her departure.  

Honoured

Lord Provost Elaine Watterson said: “Along with the Lord Lieutenant, I was honoured to welcome the Lord High Commissioner to Stirling for this visit.

“Lady Elish enjoyed her tour of the stunning Church of the Holy Rude and hearing about its integral role in Scottish history. She also got to meet some of the incredible local people who make a difference every day in communities across Stirling and learn more about some of the key projects taking place.

“I’m sure Lady Elish will leave with a positive impression about our historic and vibrant city and be able to tell the King about the fantastic grassroots work taking in place in our communities that is supporting those most in need.”

Cowane’s Hospital is a 17th Century Almshouse in the historic city of Stirling and is located in the area known as Top o’ the Town, just below Stirling Castle and opposite the Church of the Holy Rude where King James VI was crowned.

Pictured are Stirling Lord Provost Elaine Watterson and Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Lady Eilish Angiolini, at the reception in the Guild Hall.
Pictured are Stirling Lord Provost Elaine Watterson and Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Lady Eilish Angiolini, at the reception in the Guild Hall.