'Hidden Stirling' uncovered in new book by city archaeologist

Daily Record

29-04-2025

Archaeologist, author and Observer columnist Dr Murray Cook's latest book is set to reveal some of Stirling's hidden gems. 'Hidden Stirling: Outlawed, Unknown, Locked, Destroyed, Overlooked and Secret Gems from Scotland's Smallest City' is being released on Wednesday April 30 by local publishers Extremis. In the book, 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. An Extremis spokesperson said: 'Explore the mysteries of some of Stirling's most celebrated buildings, from the Castle and Tolbooth to the Municipal Buildings 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. ''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.' Dr Murray Cook is Stirling Council's archaeologist and has undertaken numerous excavations across the region and published over 40 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. He has appeared on several TV programmes and runs Stirling Archaeology, a Facebook page dedicated to Stirling's heritage. In March this year he was named the winner of the Outstanding Contribution to the City Award at the Stirling Business Awards. He is an Honorary Research Fellow at Stirling University, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, runs an occasional course as an associate lecturer at Forth Valley College in Stirling and also co-runs regular training digs open to all under the name Rampart Scotland. He runs a series of free walks, lectures and digs through the year to allow people to explore their past. Extremis Publishing Ltd, a leading independent non-fiction publisher based in Stirling, was recently named Non-Fiction Book Publisher of the Year for Scotland at the Business Excellence Awards 2025. The annual Business Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding achievement across the UK business landscape, recognising organisations that demonstrate innovation, impact, and a commitment to excellence in their respective industries. Since its establishment in 2015, Extremis Publishing has built a reputation for producing non-fiction titles spanning a wide range of subjects including Scottish culture, history, the arts, and popular media, championing voices that offer fresh perspectives and insightful storytelling. This includes their 'Writing for Publication' lecture series which takes place at Forth Valley College. Extremis Publishing's co-directors, Dr Tom Christie and Julie Christie, said: 'We are incredibly honoured to receive this award, especially during our tenth anniversary year. It's a testament to the hard work and passion of everyone involved in our publishing journey, from our talented authors to our dedicated readers. 'We remain committed to producing books that educate, inspire, and reflect the richness of non-fiction storytelling in Scotland and beyond.' 'Hidden Stirling' is available for pre-order from independent bookstores and online retailers, with a release date of Wednesday April 30. For more information about the book, including participating online retailers, visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/hidden-stirling.html Click here for more news and sport from the Stirling area.