Cowanes Hospital

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

About Cowanes Hospital

	49 St John Street, Stirling FK8 1ED
	01786472247
	Cowanes Hospital Website
	Follow CowanesHospital on Twitter
	Facebook information can be found here
	Follow CowanesHospital on Instagram

Listed Under Attractions - History and Culture / Attractions - Days Out / Attractions - Gardens and Parks

***Now available to hire for events such as boutique weddings, meetings, musical gatherings, ceilidhs, and private functions with onsite catering facilities. Please contact events@cowanes.org.uk or 01786 472247 for further information***

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.

It was established in 1637 with a bequest of 40,000 merks from the estate of merchant John Cowane (also referred to as Auld Staney Breeks) and is considered by Historic Scotland to be 'a rare survival of 17th Century burgh architecture and one of the finest buildings of its kind in Scotland'.

The gardens are also seen as a 'rare survival' of an institutional garden of the 17th century, and were included in the national inventory of gardens and designed landscapes in 2012.

In 2019 the Patrons of the Cowane's Hospital Trust embarked on a major conservation project which is now complete. Further details regarding the specialist conservation works can be found on our website.

Located within the building is the newly restored Guild Hall which houses the free John Cowane exhibition together with artefacts of the Guildry of Stirling who continue to hold their court meetings in the historic surroundings as they have done for several centuries.

According to local myth, people say the statue above the entrance of 'Auld Staneybreeks' comes to life on Hogmanay and does a jig in the courtyard. Why not join Auld Staneybreeks and undertake the 'Cowane's Trail' or search for the 'Secrets in the Stones'? Pick up a free leaflet in the Guild Hall.

Now open, and new for 2024, the Legends at Cowane’s Hatch serves breakfast rolls, light lunches, and delicious cakes along with teas, coffees and soft drinks, all to enjoy in the historic surroundings of the Guild Hall or on the garden terrace.

Entrance to the John Cowane exhibition and gardens is free and donations towards the buildings upkeep are welcomed by the charity.

For opening hours, and further information regarding Cowane's Hospital, the Cowane's Trust and event hire, please visit www.cowanes.org.uk

The Cowane’s Hospital Trust, Registered Scottish Charity SCO19364

We take every opportunity to ensure the details for Cowanes Hospital are accurate, if any of the above information is incorrect we would appreciate if you could take a minute to suggest an edit.

All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.

Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Stirling? Just hit 'Like' on our What's On Stirling Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our @WhatOnStirling Twitter or Instagram accounts and you're all set!

Upcoming Events at Cowanes Hospital

Sorry, but we have no upcoming events for Cowanes Hospital. If you know of an event taking place at Cowanes Hospital or anywhere else in Stirling tell us about it and we'll list it on the website, for free!

More History and Culture in Stirling

History and Culture

The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum

The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum The Castle, Stirling FK8 1EH

The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum is located in Stirling Castle, in the city of Stirling, Scotland.

History and Culture

Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle Castle Esplanade, Stirling FK8 1EJ

Stirling is one of Scotland’s greatest stone castles – an icon integral to how we understand the nation’s story.

History and Culture

Duncarron Medieval Village

Clanranald Trust for Scotland Carron Valley, Denny FK6 5JL

Duncarron Medieval Village is a reconstructed, fortified village based on 11th-century motte and bailey design, with visitor centre.

History and Culture

Church of the Holy Rude

Church of the Holy Rude St John Street, Stirling FK8 1ED

Founded in 12th century, the Church of the Holy Rude is the second oldest building in Stirling.

History and Culture

The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum

The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum Dumbarton Road, Stirling FK8 2RQ

The Stirling Smith is the home of a significant collection of rare and unique artefacts, spanning centuries of Scottish, British and World history.

History and Culture

Bannockburn House

, Bannockburn FK7 8EY

Bannockburn House is Category A Listed and has survived largely unchanged since the 17th century, apart from a Victorian extension.

History and Culture

Alloa Tower

Alloa Tower Alloa Park, Alloa FK10 1PP

Take a whistle-stop tour through 700 years of Scottish history at Scotland's largest and oldest keep, the ancestral home of the influential Erskine family, the Earls of Mar and Kellie.

History and Culture

The Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre

Bannockburn Glasgow Road, Whins of Milton, Stirling FK7 0LJ

Stand shoulder to shoulder with Robert the Bruce on the site of his greatest victory.

History and Culture

Cambuskenneth Abbey

Cambuskenneth Abbey Cambuskenneth Village, Stirling FK9 5NH

Originally known as the Abbey of St Mary or the Abbey of Stirling, Cambuskenneth Abbey gathered considerable wealth and influence because of its royal patronage and its links with Stirling Castle.

History and Culture

The National Wallace Monument

Abbey Craig Hillfoots Road, Causewayhead FK9 5LF

The Wallace Monument stands tall and proud outside the city of Stirling, overlooking the scene of Scotland’s victory at The Battle of Stirling Bridge.

History and Culture