St Giles Cathedral

In about 1124, a place of worship dedicated to Saint Giles, the patron saint of lepers was established on this site. There have been many changes to it over the centuries, some caused by arson by English troops in 1385, and as a result of improvements and extensions to the building. The tower was raised in about 1500 and the distinctive Scottish stone crown was added to the structure.

St Giles is the main place of worship of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh and is also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh. Despite the fact that the Church of Scotland does not recognize bishops, this is a large church with an active congregation. It is not a cathedral, which means ‘seat of a bishop’ because the Protestant Church of Scotland does not recognise bishops.

As a result of King Henry VIII’s demand for a divorce in 1534, he broke away from the Roman Catholic Church. In Scotland, the Reformation took place in 1560 led by John Knox. He introduced a strict form of Protestantism and his statue can be found in the nave of this church.

A new prayer book King Charles I attempted to impose on Scotland in 1637 was regarded by many Scots as borderline Catholic propaganda. A riot broke out when a street seller threw a stool at the Dean of St Giles in protest. Full war broke out after large numbers of Protestants signed a Covenant of Loyalty, defying the strict rule of the church.

The Reformation resulted in different denominations using different parts of the church, separated by walls that remained in place for centuries. Chapels were built and the exterior was covered with shops known as Lucken Booths.

A major overhaul of the exterior occurred during the early 19th century, as well as a major rebuild of the interior walls (1871-84), under the direction of William Hay. A beautifully crafted Thistle Chapel designed by Robert Lorimer was constructed in 1909-11, and a magnificent organ with 4000 pipes was installed in 1992.

Today St Giles receives some 400,000 visitors each year.