Discover St Giles Cathedral: from Edinburgh's Cathedral to mother church of presbyterian faith

With origins dating back to the 12th century, immerse yourself in 900 years of history and discover this must-see site founded by King David I in 1124. The building has undergone many changes over the years reflecting the evolving history of the city. Originally a parish church dedicated to St Giles, hence the name, it grew in importance over the years, with a crown-shaped bell tower added to the church during the 15th century.

Later, in the 16th century, it was with the Scottish Reformation that the landmark underwent a fundamental change, as Scotland moved from Catholicism to Protestantism, leading St Giles to become a central place of worship for Protestants.

One of the most important periods for this religious site was certainly the 17th century, when it was officially recognised as a cathedral from 1633 to 1638, and then from 1661 to 1689 by King Charles I, as he was trying to impose the alignment of the Scottish church with the English church. In other words, he was trying to transform the Scottish Presbyterian church into an Anglican church. However, things did not turn out as he wished and later, following a riot, Charles I signed a pact to preserve the freedom of the Church of Scotland, and St Giles lost its cathedral status as a result. Although nowadays St Giles didn’t hold up this status, its nickname did and most people still refer to the church as a cathedral.

If you're coming to Edinburgh to explore the city, be sure to visit St Giles Cathedral. You'll recognise the cathedral's exterior as it houses the Crown Tower, a famous silhouette on the Edinburgh skyline. What's more, you'll admire not only the exterior of the monument, but also the interior, with its Gothic architecture, stone carvings and beautiful stained glass windows.

Don't forget to visit the Thistle Chapel, designed by Robert Lorimer in 1911 and dedicated to the Order of the Thistle. This highly decorated space within St Giles Cathedral is a real feast for the eyes. Look up to admire the majestic carved ceiling that makes the chapel so unique.

In addition, immerse yourself in the city's history and explore the cathedral's ancient tombs and memorials. These include many of Scotland's most famous figures and will provide you a glimpse into the city's past.

After strolling through the beautiful interior, you may wish to visit the church for its peaceful atmosphere and worship. Please note that the church offers Sunday services at 9.30am and 11am. In addition, if you are unable to come on a Sunday but would like to attend a service, try to come to the church at 12:00 on weekdays for a 15-minute prayer service.

St Giles Cathedral is not just a place of worship, it's also a cultural venue that hosts numerous events throughout the year, such as music concerts, festivals and art exhibitions. Join the cathedral to attend its various music concerts in a magnificent and pleasant setting. From choirs and classical instrumental concerts to listening to the cathedral's organ, which dates back to 1992, your ears will be delighted.

One example of the musical events that the venue hosts is the fact that, every August, St Giles becomes one of the venues for the Edinburgh International Festival, hosting classical music concerts for an audible and visual delight.

The building also plays an important role in Scotland's political life, hosting civic and national services, one of the most important being the Kirking of the Parliament, which takes place at the start of each new term of the Scottish Parliament. The purpose of this traditional ceremony is to bless the Members of the Parliament with a multi-faith service.

So try to immerse yourself within the walls of this monument and discover the many experiences it has to offer, be it religion, art, music or even politics.

📍 Address:

High St, Edinburgh EH1 1RE, United Kingdom

🕒Opening times:

The cathedral is open to the public all year round, every day of the week from 10am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, Saturday from 9am to 5pm and Sunday from 1pm to 5pm.

🎟️ Admission :

Admission is free, though it is strongly recommended to make a donation of £6 when visiting St Giles, as the cathedral is run on donations to help maintain the historic building.

To visit the cathedral in great detail, take part in the free guided tours offered by the venue every day at 10.30 am and 2.30 pm. Book in advance via this link and enjoy a 45-minute tour to discover the building's past.

Please note that visitors are encouraged to dress respectfully to enter the building, as it remains an active place of worship.