St Giles’ Cathedral

You’re now standing before the majestic St Giles’ Cathedral, though, strictly speaking, it’s not a cathedral anymore, as it no longer holds that status. Still, everyone in Edinburgh calls it that. Today it serves as a Protestant church, a role it has held since the Reformation in the 16th century, which shaped not only Scotland but much of Europe. Inside, you’ll find a sculpture of the famous John Knox, one of Scotland’s leading figures of the Reformation, who, alongside John Calvin and Martin Luther, promoted a return to the earliest form of Christianity. This movement gave rise to Protestant churches, and the building before you is a beautiful example of that heritage. Though not enormous, it’s striking, especially its crown-shaped spire that dominates the skyline and its remarkable 20th-century stained-glass windows, which depict stories from the Bible. The first church on this site dates back to the 9th century, but the Gothic building you see today was constructed in the 15th century, before being adapted in the wake of the Protestant movement. Over time, various chapels were added, and the lantern tower was completed in 1490. Renowned for the beauty of its acoustics and the concerts held within, St Giles’ is woven into the fabric of Edinburgh’s history and is without doubt one of the city’s unmissable landmarks.