St Giles’ Cathedral

St Giles' Cathedral, jewel of the Royal Mile

The Edinburgh audio-guided tour stops you before the majestic St Giles' Cathedral, on the Royal Mile, halfway between the castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It is approached with quiet respect, for it is a place of worship still in use.

From the medieval building to the Reformation

Built from 1124, on the order of King David I, it is officially a church, even if everyone still calls it a cathedral. It has been dedicated to Protestant worship since the Reformation of the sixteenth century, which deeply marked Scotland and Europe. Inside is the statue of John Knox, one of the great Scottish figures of the Reformation, who spread, alongside figures such as John Calvin, a renewed vision of Christianity at the origin of the Protestant Churches.

What there is to see

Although it is not very large, the church stands out for its impressive crown-shaped spire, one of the most recognisable silhouettes of Edinburgh. Inside, with respect for silence, you admire the stained-glass windows, the chapels and the statue of John Knox. St Giles' Cathedral is a major witness to the religious history of Scotland.

Practical information

St Giles' Cathedral is on the Royal Mile, in the heart of the old town of Edinburgh. An active Protestant place of worship, it can be visited with respect for silence and services; opening times may vary with celebrations and the season.

Is St Giles really a cathedral?

Officially, it no longer holds cathedral status and is today a church dedicated to Protestant worship. But common usage has kept the name St Giles' Cathedral.

Who was John Knox?

John Knox was one of the great Scottish figures of the sixteenth-century Reformation. A statue honours him inside the church.