Enjoy Edinburgh's churches and cathedrals for free
the Greyfriars Bobby statue outside the churchyard
St Giles' Cathedral
Canongate Kirk- The Kirk of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle
St Cuthbert's Parish Church
Edinburgh’s skyline is punctuated with churches and cathedral spires. Peaceful refuges from city hustle and bustle, these historic buildings are well worth a visit for their interesting architecture and many also have cafes, exhibitions and events.
St Giles’ Cathedral
Standing halfway between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, St Giles’ Cathedral was founded in the 12th century and due to its role in Scotland’s Reformation history is often referred to as the 'Cradle of Presbyterianism'. Take in the beautiful stained glass windows that date from the 1870s and see the Thistle Chapel, home of the Knights of the Order of the Thistle, Scotland's most senior order of chivalry which is headed by The Queen.
Greyfriar’s Kirk
Up near the top of the Royal Mile, Greyfriar’s Kirk has stood since 1620 on land which was granted by Mary, Queen of Scots. The kirk is famous for its graveyard, which was not only frequented by graverobbers but is also said to be where a faithful dog, Greyfriar’s Bobby, sat by his master’s grave. Another historic event here was the signing of the National Covenant in 1638, an important event and document in Scottish history which you can find out about at the kirk’s visitor centre.
Canongate Kirk
Dating from 1690, the historic Canongate Kirk was built near the bottom of the Royal Mile and its modest architecture is a perfect place for peaceful reflection. Its parish includes nearby Holyrood Palace so it welcomes members of the royal family when they are residence. In the summer of 2011, the church was the venue for the marriage of Zara Philips, the daughter of the Princess Royal and granddaughter of HM The Queen.
Other city centre churches
There are several other impressive church buildings to visit in Edinburgh city centre. These include St Johns which is renowned for its stained glass, St Cuthberts which has intricate ceiling paintings, St Mary's Cathedral, which is great example of neo-Gothic architecture and St Andrew's and St George's West on George Street which is an excellent example of Georgian architecture.
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Edinburgh and the Lothians sits on the eastern side of Scotland's central belt, in the heart of the country.
