St Giles’ Cathedral
The High Kirk of Edinburgh on the Royal Mile, with its crown spire and the stunning Thistle Chapel.
Read moreThe most important churches in Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s churches, or kirks, tell much of Scotland’s story, from the Reformation to the Covenanters. Their graveyards come alive at night on our ghost tour of the Old Town’s closes and graveyards.
Visiting Edinburgh’s kirks and graveyards
Most of these churches are on or near the Royal Mile, so you can see several in one walk. St Giles’ Cathedral, the Tron Kirk and The Hub stand on the street itself, Greyfriars Kirk is a few minutes away near the Grassmarket, and Canongate Kirk is on the lower Royal Mile, close to Holyrood. St Margaret’s Chapel is inside the Castle, so you need a Castle ticket to see it.
Kirkyards were the city’s burial grounds for centuries, and they hold the graves of philosophers, poets and merchants as well as the memorials to the Covenanters. Greyfriars Kirkyard is the most famous, and the economist Adam Smith is buried in Canongate Kirkyard. Entry to most churches is free, although donations are welcome, and opening hours can change on Sundays and during services.
