St. Giles' Cathedral

St. Giles' Cathedral

St. Giles' Cathedral has been a place of worship for almost 900 years in Edinburgh. The cathedral is situated midway along Edinburgh's famous Royal Mile. This famous landmark is also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh.

The cathedral has had a bishop seated here for just two periods during its 900 year history. The first time was between the years 1635-1638 and shortly after during the years of 1661-1689. 

In the medieval period before the time of the reformation Edinburgh had no cathedral as the burgh was part of St Andrews Diocese. The name of the cathedral comes from St. Giles', who was the patron Saint of cripples and lepers. St. Giles' was a very popular saint dating back to the Middle Ages.

The oldest parts of this historic building are the four huge central columns which date back as far as 1124. The cathedral was almost totally destroyed in 1385, when fire swept through it. Much of what you see today is from shortly after this period. Over the years a great deal of work has been added to St. Giles' with the additions of chapels, or isles being constructed.

In the year 1466 the statues of St. Giles' were raised to a collegiate church and in reconciliation of this, the Lantern Tower was added.  By the middle of the sixteenth century St. Giles' church had almost 50 altars within it for prayer.

Today visitors can see some of the best stained glass windows in Scotland. Unfortunately none of the windows from the medieval period have survived but those on view today date back to the 19th and 20th century. St. Giles' interior retains most of its ancient character, including several carved ornament. One of the main attractions for visitors, to this famous cathedral is the Thistle Chapel. Built in 1911 by Robert Lorimer, the Thistle Chapel is the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle - Scotland's foremost Order of Chivalry.

The chapel is only small, but exquisite, and full of carvings and paintings. The Order was formed in 1687 by James VII and consists of sixteen knights and the monarch.

The knights have all be appointed by the crown and include the likes of Sir Alec Douglas-Home, Sir Fitzroy Maclean and Lord Mackay of Clashfern. St. Giles' Cathedral is one of Edinburgh's many historic buildings, and should certainly be visited, when you are next in Edinburgh.

For those who are visiting and looking for a cheap hotel in Edinburgh many can be found close by.