Walking trail covering Edinburgh's historic churches and cathedrals unveiled
A new walking trail celebrating some of Edinburgh's most historic and iconic churches has officially launched, taking visitors on a journey through the city's spiritual and architectural heritage.
Created by representatives of Scotland's three largest Christian denominations, the Edinburgh City Centre Historic Churches Walking Trail features ten churches across the capital.
The route stretches from the Royal Mile to the New Town and West End, offering a self-guided tour of some of the city's most significant ecclesiastical landmarks.
Among the highlights are all three of Edinburgh's cathedrals. St Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile, where Queen Elizabeth II lay at rest in 2022, is one of the focal points.
Founded in 1124, it was once the parish church of John Knox and has played a central role in Scottish history, including the announcement of Bonnie Prince Charlie's arrival in 1745.
It is still used for civic services today and houses a modern Austrian-built Rieger Orgelbau organ installed in 1992.
St Mary's Catholic Cathedral on York Place is another prominent stop. Originally opened in 1814 as the Chapel of St Mary, it became a pro-cathedral for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh in 1878.
It was later enlarged in 1896, with a raised roof added in 1932. The cathedral features a Matthew Copley organ built in 2007, incorporating pipes from an 1882 Wilkinson instrument. Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral during his 1982 visit to Scotland.
Also included is St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, near Haymarket. Consecrated in 1879, it is Edinburgh's tallest building and boasts a spire added between 1913 and 1917.
Designed by architect George Gilbert Scott, the cathedral houses a Willis organ from 1879 and a Song School adorned with murals by Phoebe Anna Traquair, which can be viewed by appointment.
Smaller but equally significant churches on the trail include Canongate Kirk, built in 1690 at the order of James VII/II to replace the Abbey at Holyrood.
The church, which serves as the parish church for the Palace of Holyrood House, features a 1989 organ by Frobenius & Sons, the Danish firm's 1000th instrument.
St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, originally an Episcopalian chapel from 1774 known as the 'English Chapel', was inspired by London's St Martin-in-the-Fields. The building features apse paintings by Alexander Runciman. In 1856, it was purchased by the growing Irish Catholic community after a brief period under the Presbyterian Relief Church.
Greyfriars Kirk is another important site. Completed in 1620, it was the first church built in Scotland after the Reformation. The National Covenant was signed here in 1638.
A second church was built in 1722 and joined to the original in 1929. The current organ was built by Peter Collins in 1990.
Other featured churches include Old St Paul's, built in 1883 on the site of Scotland's oldest Episcopal church; The New Town Church, completed in 1784 with its tower added in 1787; and St John's Episcopal Church, a neo-Gothic structure designed by William Burn and consecrated in 1818.
Inside, it features a plaster ceiling inspired by Westminster Abbey's Henry VII Chapel and a 1900 Willis organ.
The final stop is the Parish Church of St Cuthbert, built on an ancient site. The present church was completed in 1894, incorporating the steeple of its 18th-century predecessor.
Its interior includes Tiffany stained glass and a ring of ten bells. The Hope-Jones organ, installed in 1899, adds to the church's historical value.
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