Stirling Castle Chapel Royal, Stirling

The Stirling Castle Chapel Royal has been an integral part of the castle’s history since its earliest days, with records indicating the establishment of a chapel as early as 1110 by Alexander I. Over the centuries, multiple chapels may have existed within the castle, but the Chapel Royal has stood out in historical importance.

One of its most notable events took place on 9 September 1543, when the infant Mary, Queen of Scots, was brought to Stirling Castle for safety and crowned in the Chapel Royal. Another key moment came in 1561 when Mary controversially celebrated Mass here after returning from France. However, both of these events occurred in an earlier version of the chapel, not the one standing today.

The current Chapel Royal was commissioned by James VI in 1594 to celebrate the christening of his first son, Prince Henry. It was built within a year, north of the previous chapel's site, to improve access to the Great Hall. The chapel's Italianate design, including its arched windows, was crafted by William Schaw, the Royal Master of Works. The interior was magnificently decorated by the painter Valentine Jenkin in preparation for Charles I’s visit in 1633.

Over the years, the chapel was repurposed for military use, including the addition of a dining room. Restoration efforts, which began in the 1930s, uncovered original wall paintings and removed later modifications, but it wasn’t until 1996 that the Chapel Royal was fully restored to its former glory, complete with the striking decorations from Charles I’s era.