Saint Giles Cathedral
Saint Giles Cathedral is a magnificent building located at the centre of Edinburgh's Royal Mile adjacent to the Heart of Midlothian. Although commonly called a "cathedral" its official designation is the High Kirk of the Church of Scotland. The buildinb is dedicated to Saint Giles, patron saint of Edinburgh, whose feast day is September 1st.
The cathedral is wonderfully photogenic, both outside and in. Note that although entry is free (donations welcome) a £2 payment is requested for taking photos inside.
On the ground outside the cathedral is the Heart of Midlothian.
History
The history of the building goes back a very long way. There's known to have been some form of church on the site since the 9th century and it has been been rebuilt and expanded down the centuries. The exact origin of the current building is unknown, however we do know that after a fire in 1385 many additions were made over the next 150 years. It remains a working church today and is the parish church for the central part of the Old Town.Architecture
One of the most prominent features of St Giles today is the spire. This is of the Crown style popular in Scotland and was restored in the late 20th century. It's fittings gleam wonderfully on summer days.The stained glass windows of Saint Giles are impressive however they're relatively modern and date from the 19th and 20th centuries. The originals were removed on the orders of John Knox who disapproved of such frippery. A statue of Knox, a leader of the covenanters, is on display inside the cathedral.