St Giles' Cathedral Edinburgh - Britain All Over Travel Guide

St Giles’ Cathedral Edinburgh, (High Kirk of Edinburgh) Scotland

History | Memorials | Stained Glass | Access | Cathedrals in Britain

St Giles’ Cathedral (High Kirk of Edinburgh) is the historic city church of Edinburgh.

A statue of the Duke of Buccleuch, Walter Francis Montagu Douglas Scott outside the cathedral in Parliament Square

History

St Giles, the man, was a 7th-century hermit who became the patron saint of both a church and of Edinburgh itself. St Giles’ Cathedral dates to about 1124 AD.

The cathedral was built mostly in the fourteenth-century Gothic style. However, the building was extensively restored and renovated in the 19th century.

St Giles' Cathedral Edinburgh, Scotland.

The cathedral was built mostly in the fourteenth-century Gothic style

Memorials

St Giles’ Cathedral contains nearly two hundred memorials honouring distinguished Scots.

The majority of these memorials date from the 19th century and early 20th century.

The church has many examples of superb stained glass

Stained Glass

The church also has a remarkable collection of stained glass windows. These windows date from the 1870’s and include a wide array of styles. The original stained glass windows had been removed during the Reformation in the 16th century. There are also stained glass windows by Douglas Strachan (1875-1950), the foremost Scottish designer of stained glass windows in the 20th century. The North transept window by Strachan portrays Christ stilling the sea of Galilee.

The Cathedral is home to the Thistle Chapel which was designed by Robert Lorimer

Thistle Chapel

The cathedral is home to the Thistle Chapel which was designed by Robert Lorimer and finished in 1911. The Order of the Thistle is Scotland’s great order of chivalry, and membership is one of the country’s highest honours. Appointments are made only at the personal discretion of the Sovereign.

Burns' Memorial Window, created by Leifur Breidfjord in 1985. Each section represents a different aspect of his work - from nature to brotherhood.

Burns’ Memorial Window, by Leifur Breidfjord (1985). Each section represents a different aspect of his work, from nature to brotherhood

Statue of the Duke of Buccleuch

In Parliament Square outside the cathedral stands a statue of Walter Francis Montagu Douglas Scott, 5th Duke of Buccleuch and 7th Duke of Queensberry. The statue is the work of sculptor Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm. Funds for the bronze cast came from public subscription in 1884.

Other attractions in Edinburgh include Old College, Greyfriars Bobby, Edinburgh Castle and also the Scottish Parliament Building.