St Giles' Cathedral

St Giles Cathedral is a popular place to visit and it’s clear why. It’s absolutely beautiful inside and I really enjoyed exploring it. The stained glass windows and the organ were my favourite parts. It’s free to enter and I was able to see the main parts of the cathedral thanks to some ramps. There were a couple of places that had a step or two that I wasn’t able to reach.

Having reviewed St. Giles as one of the Volunteer Guides there, this is a continuation of my role and also a post covid review. There is a peace and serenity and a real busyness that has returned to St.Giles, since fully reopening. As a Guide, the footfall is up, donations to maintain the wonderful legacy of 900 years of history has risen and events and concerts are reestablished. .

The Cathedral which is not Roman Catholic, Anglican, or Episcopalian but a Church of Scotland Presbyterian fully functioning place of worship. It’s imposing outside walls and spectacular crown spire is Grey limestone, looks very dull and underwhelming for many, as the name is Cathedral, many visitors expect splendour, opulence and an ambundance of religious reliquary. This of course is not the Presbyterian way, once you enter via the ramps on either side of the main entrance, there is a quiet, welcoming serenity, what strikes people is the outside light that streams in through the stained glass, in any season, the interior stone highlights the colourful windows. The majority of the Church is on one level with wide access, it’s a fully working congregational Church, it has 3 services on a Sunday and everyday there is a lunchtime service of 15 minutes for prayer, reflection and to hear scripture. There are regular choir, musical and choral performances after this service which are free, further info is on a very detail website. The Church has a shop, a welcome desk with free written guides in 47 languages, volunteer guides are on hand to offer free tours of the whole church with a comprehensive history thoroughly explained. There is no entrance charge though a photo permit of £2.00 is requested to assist in the maintenance, the heating, lighting and preservation of the Church. Donations are also welcome.