• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to footer

ZigZag On Earth

Plan unforgettable road trips!

Follow Us on PinterestFollow Us on FacebookFollow Us on RSS
  • FRANCE
    • CORSICA
    • NORMANDY
    • PARIS
  • EUROPE ROAD TRIPS
    • ANDALUCIA – coming soon
    • CANARY ISLANDS
    • GREECE
      • CRETE
      • SANTORINI
    • ICELAND
    • ICELAND – WINTER
    • PORTUGAL
    • SCOTLAND
    • SLOVENIA
  • REST OF THE WORLD
    • NEW ZEALAND
    • OMAN
  • EBOOKS
  • TIPS
  • PUZZLES
  • ABOUT

St Giles Cathedral (Edinburgh, Scotland) – Visit Tips + Photos

Last updated on September 19, 2019 By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

Located right on the Royal Mile, the St Giles Cathedral, in Edinburgh, is a historical building famous for its colorful stained glass, crown spire and heavily decorated Thistle Chapel. Have a tour and plan your visit:

St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral Scotland
Quick Navigation
PLANNING TIPS - St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral
Edinburgh Cathedrals
St Giles Cathedral from the Outside
Visiting St. Giles Edinburgh
Stained Glass is St Giles Cathedral
The Organ in St Giles Edinbrugh Cathedral
Thistle Chapel

Navigate back to the complete Travel Scotland Guide

Share0
Share +10
Tweet0
Pin0

This article contains affiliate Links (info on the Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.


PLANNING TIPS - St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral

How to get to St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral

  • The St Giles' Cathedral Edinburgh is located in the heart of the old town, on the Royal Mile between the Edinburgh Castle and the Holyroodhouse Palace

Visiting the St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral

  • St Giles Cathedral Opening Times in Summer: 9am to 7pm on weekdays, 9am to 5pm on Saturdays, 1pm to 5pm on Sundays
  • St Giles Cathedral Opening times in Winter (Oct to Apr): 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday - 1pm to 5pm Sundays
  • Check for any changes to the schedule on their official website
  • Entrance is free but if you visit the Thistle Chapel, a donation is recommended
  • There is a shop inside the cathedral
  • Photos are only allowed if you purchase a permit. It is £2. And you get a sticker to show you are allowed to get pictures. 
  • There are volunteer guide conducting tours on request
St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral Photo Permit
St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral Photo Permit sticker

Edinburgh Cathedrals

Edinburgh has 2 Cathedrals:

  • St Giles Cathedral, also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh - some of its oldest parts supposedly date back to 1124. It was rebuilt during the 14th century. It is not formally the cathedral as it is the principal place of worship of the Church of Scotland. But it used to be during the 17th century.
  • St Mary's Cathedral was built in the late 19th century. It is located in the New town and home to the Bishop of Edinburgh.

St Giles Cathedral from the Outside

As you walk down the Royal Mile in central Edinburgh. It is impossible to miss the cathedral. It is not the most impressive building from the outside.

What stands out is the crown spire.​ It stands at just under 50 meters in height (the lantern being at 43m). It is only 60 meters in length.

outside of St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral 1
outside of St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral 2
outside of St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral 3

The entrance is traditionally sculpted although just around the door. The rest of the facade is rather neutral.

entrance of St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral 1
entrance of St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral 2


Visiting St. Giles Edinburgh

Inside this is not the most impressive cathedral. But the blue-colored ceiling and the colorful stained glass windows (see later) make up for it.

It did not have my tripod so pictures are not the best, but it gives you an idea.

Visiting St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral 1
Visiting St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral 2
Visiting St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral 3
Visiting St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral 4

There are a lot of flags in the St Giles' Cathedral Edinburgh but I am still not sure why. Should have asked...

Visiting St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral 5

Stained Glass is St Giles Cathedral

One of the best features of the St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral is the stained glass. All windows are very colorful with many different scenes including Scottish Saints. They are used as a narrative to help illustrate Bible story. Most of the windows are from the 20th century.

Stained Glass is St Giles Cathedral 1
Stained Glass is St Giles Cathedral 2
Stained Glass is St Giles Cathedral 3
Stained Glass is St Giles Cathedral 4
Stained Glass is St Giles Cathedral 5

The Organ in St Giles Edinbrugh Cathedral

One of the particularity of the St Giles Cathedral is the organ.

 Built in 1992, it was set up so that you can walk behind and discover the inside of the instrument. Just go towards the red wooden panel and press the button at the top for the inside to illuminate.​

Organ in St Giles Edinbrugh Cathedral
Organ in St Giles Edinbrugh Cathedral back
Inside the Organ in St Giles Edinbrugh Cathedral

Thistle Chapel

The most heavily decorated part of the St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral is the Thistle Chapel.

It is dedicated to the most ancient order of the Thistle, the order of Chivalry. It was built in 1911.

Decor is made of wood, colorful stained glasses and a sculpted ceiling.

Thistle Chapel in St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral
Thistle Chapel in St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral  2
Thistle Chapel in St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral - ceiling

Planning a trip to Scotland ?

Check out my travel guides, which facilitates the planning of your itinerary

Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!

small Scotland Road Trip Guide ebook cover

15 Maps, 150+ locations, 170+ photos
LEARN MORE

Cover Road Trip Edinburgh to Skye

8 Maps, 60 Features locations, 115+ photos
LEARN MORE


Want to see more of SCOTLAND?

PREVIOUS: 

THE ROYAL MILE EDINBURGH

NEXT: 

CALTON HILL EDINBURGH

Travel Scotland Destination Guide

Do you enjoy visiting cathedrals?

Share0
Share +10
Tweet0
Pin0

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

The Old Man Of Storr Skye – Walk + Best Views (best photo spots) + Tips
Read More 
Elgol Boat trip to Loch Coruisk – Photos + Tips (Scenic Cuillin Mountains!)
Read More 
Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls – Tips + photos (+ 3 extra Isle of Skye cliff views)
Read More 
Luib and Loch Ainort (Isle of Skye, Scotland) – Tips + photos
Read More 

Love sharing? Here is another pin for you:

St Giles Edinburgh Cathedral Scotland Pin

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. ZigZagOnEarth.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.uk and Amazon.ca

Search

Privacy / Terms of Use / Disclosure Policies / Refund policy

 

Become an affiliate for the ZigZag road trip guides

Copyright © 2020 ZigZag On Earth · Log in

If you continue browsing this site we assume you agree with the use of cookies in this website.OkRead more