Search churches in Edinburgh
Find churches across Edinburgh, from the Old Town to Leith and the suburbs.
The great churches of the capital
- St Giles' Cathedral, Royal Mile: the High Kirk of Edinburgh and the historic heart of Scottish Presbyterianism. John Knox ministered here during the Reformation, and the Thistle Chapel inside is one of the finest small Gothic spaces in Britain. Sunday worship and regular weekday services continue, and entry is free.
- St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Place: George Gilbert Scott's soaring Gothic Revival cathedral, the only British cathedral to maintain daily choral services partly through its own music school.
- St Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Broughton Street: mother church of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, at the top of Leith Walk.
- Greyfriars Kirk: where the National Covenant was signed in 1638, set in the famous kirkyard, with a welcoming congregation and services in Gaelic as well as English.
- Canongate Kirk: the parish church of Holyrood and the Palace, a handsome 17th-century kirk on the lower Royal Mile.
Church life across the city
The Church of Scotland remains the largest presence, with parishes from Morningside to Leith, but Edinburgh's church life is broader than its Presbyterian reputation suggests. The Scottish Episcopal Church has some of its strongest congregations here. Catholic parishes serve long-established communities and newer Polish, Filipino and African arrivals. Charlotte Chapel and other Baptist and independent evangelical churches draw large congregations, and the student population sustains lively churches around the university quarter, including international fellowships and church plants meeting in halls and theatres. Quaker, Methodist, United Reformed and Orthodox communities complete a picture that is far more varied than most visitors expect.
Browse Edinburgh churches in the directory
See every church we list in Edinburgh, or browse the whole council area, including Leith, Portobello and the outer suburbs, on our Edinburgh county page.
Practical notes for visitors
- Most Sunday services begin at 10.30am or 11am. St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral sings choral evensong on weekdays in term time, a lovely free way to end a day of sightseeing.
- St Giles' welcomes visitors daily; during the Festival in August churches across the city host concerts and exhibitions.
- The city centre is best explored on foot; Lothian Buses and the tram cover everything else. Sunday parking in the New Town is usually manageable.
- Edinburgh's kirkyards, including Greyfriars and Canongate, are open to walk through and full of history.
Frequently asked questions
Is St Giles' really a cathedral?
The name has stuck from two brief periods when it held a bishop's seat, but St Giles' is properly the High Kirk of the Church of Scotland, which has no bishops. It remains one of Scotland's most important places of worship.
Can visitors attend services during the Edinburgh Festival?
Yes, and it is a highlight for many. Regular Sunday worship continues throughout August, and several churches add concerts, reflective services and late openings for festival crowds.