St. Giles’ Cathedral

Also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, St. Giles’ Cathedral is often called the Mother Church of Presbyterianism. It is named in honour of the Patron Saint of Edinburgh and is located on the Royal Mile, where it has been at the heart of the city’s religious life for around a thousand years. 

During the 1550s John Knox was the leader of the Scottish Reformation, which was part of the movement throughout western Europe that led to national churches breaking their ties with Rome. Knox served as Minister at St Giles’ until 1572 and played a principal role in establishing the styles of worship and administration that were to be accepted throughout the country. He is memorialized in St. Giles’ by a statue, cast in 1904, that stands near the west end of the cathedral.

St. Giles’ impressive organ was built in 1992 of Austrian oak. The 1992 organ was completely new, except for the Pedal Open Wood 16′ and the Bombarde 32′ which were retained from the previous instrument (Willis III 1940). The organ is lovely but certainly stands out for its modernity in the centuries old cathedral. 

One of the most interesting sights in St. Giles is the Thistle Chapel. It is the chapel of The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Scotland’s foremost Order of Chivalry. The Order consists of the Monarch and 16 knights and ladies, who are normally Scots who have made a significant contribution to national or international affairs, as well as a few “extra” knights (members of the British Royal Family). Appointments to the Order are the personal choice of the Monarch. 

The knights’ stalls are along the sides of the chapel and are capped by beautifully carved canopies with the helms and crests of the knights above.  Enamelled plates affixed to the back of each stall display its occupant’s name, arms, and date of admission into the Order. Upon the death of a knight, the helm, mantling, crest (or coronet or crown) and sword are taken down, but the stall plate is not removed. The plates remain permanently affixed to the backs of the stalls, providing a colourful record of the Order’s knights (and now ladies) since 1911.

Stalls for the Sovereign and two Royal Family members are at the west end of the Chapel.

There was a very knowledgeable docent present in the Chapel when we there and she was happy to provide information regarding the detail on the knights’ stalls and the many carvings around the Chapel, which are both religious and heraldic, and often peculiarly Scottish, such as the angels playing bagpipes.

Although the church still has an active congregation, it is open to visitors and receives about 400,000 guests every year. Entry is free (donations gratefully accepted) although there is a small fee (well worth it) if you’d like to take photos. A gift shop and café are located under the Cathedral. 

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