Edinburgh › Old Town
St Giles' Cathedral
The High Kirk of Edinburgh, with a crown-shaped spire and the Thistle Chapel.
Photo: Stinglehammer / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
St Giles' has stood on the Royal Mile since the 12th century and is the mother church of Presbyterianism. Inside are stained glass, the carved Thistle Chapel (the chapel of Scotland's highest order of chivalry) and a memorial to Robert Louis Stevenson.
It is a calm place in the middle of the busy High Street, and the spire is one of Edinburgh's signature skyline shapes.
Tickets / priceEntry has been free with a suggested donation. A visitor entry charge (reported at about £12 for tourists) has been announced from September 2026, so check on the cathedral's website before you go. A small photography permit may apply. Source: St Giles' Cathedral visitor information and press reports (2026), checked 2026-10-10
Opening hoursUsually Monday–Friday 10:00–18:00, Saturday 9:00–17:00 and Sunday 13:00–17:00 (after morning services). Closed to visitors at times for services and events. Source: St Giles' Cathedral (official visitor information), checked 2026-10-10
Time needed30–60 minutes
Best timeWeekday morning
Getting thereOn the Royal Mile; 10 min walk from Waverley station
AddressHigh Street, Edinburgh EH1 1RE
Booking advice
No booking needed. Check the website for service times and any visitor charge before you go.
Insider tips
- Look up at the ceiling of the Thistle Chapel, with its carved angels playing bagpipes.
- Saturday morning has a quiet hour, which is the calmest time to visit.
- Behind the cathedral is Parliament Square with the statue of Charles II and old law courts.
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