Top 10 Scottish Churches
Scotland has a wide range of churches, from ancient ruins, to magnificent medieval cathedrals. We've picked ten of them as our favourites, awarding them our TravelScotland Award of Merit.
The TravelScotland Selection: The Top 10 Scottish Churches
Glasgow Cathedral
A truly magnificent medieval cathedral, just south of Glasgow Royal Infirmary and close to the St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art. St Mungo, the patron saint of Glasgow, founded a wooden church on this spot in the first century- his tomb is now in the centre of the Lower Choir of the cathedral.
Despite the cathedral's relatively modest proportions, the overwhelming impression is one of great size and in particular of great height. Glasgow Cathedral is some 285ft (87m) long by 63ft (20m) wide, and the nave roof is 105ft (32m) high.
Admission is free, and the Cathedral is well worth a visit. Opening Hours: 1 Apr-30 Sep, Daily 9.30am-5.30pm (Sun open only from 1.00pm-5.00pm). 1 Oct-31 Mar, Daily 9.30am-4.30pm (Sun open only from 1.00pm).
Rosslyn Chapel
Now world famous due to the Da Vinci Code novel by Dan Brown, Rosslyn Chapel is deservedly awarded our Award of Merit. Founded in 1446 the chapel took some forty years to build, and it's superbly ornate carvings are not to be missed. Popular as a tourist attraction, and now with a large Visitor Centre, Rosslyn Chapel is open every day of the year except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day.
Dunblane Cathedral
One of Scotland’s noblest medieval churches. The lower part of the tower is Romanesque, but the larger part of the building is of the 13th century. The church was founded on this spot by Saint Blane in the 6th century.
Summer opening hours for visitors to the Cathedral from April to September are as follows:
Church of the Holy Rude, Stirling
The Church of the Holy Rude is the second oldest building in Stirling after the castle. Founded in 1129 during the reign of David I (1124 - 1153) as the parish church of Stirling. The original church was destroyed by fire along with much of Stirling in the early 15th century, and the subsequent building was constructed over the next hundred and fifty years. The young James VI was crowned King of Scotland in Holy Rude in 1567.
Open daily: 11:00 - 16:00, Easter - 1 October
(including weekends and public holidays)
Admission by donation.
All visitors welcome.
Guided tours given by prior arrangement - contact church office.
St Michael's Parish Church of Linlithgow
Mary, Queen of Scots was baptised here in 1542, having been born at the nearby Linlithgow Palace. However, the font which carried the holy water used to baptise the royal baby did not survive for many years longer. In 1559 the Protestant Lords of the Congregation arrive to obliterate all traces of the Roman Catholic religion from the Church. They smashed the holy water stoop along with the statues and altars.
In 1992 the Society of Friends of St. Michael's Church celebrated the church's 750th anniversary with the installation of a new stained glass window in the St. Katherine's Aisle.
The church is open to the public for meditation and prayer from 10.30am until 4.00pm each day unless a service of worship is being conducted or a funeral or wedding.
St Mary's Parish Church, Haddington
The largest parish church in Scotland, it was at St Mary's Parish Church Haddington that John Knox (the founder of the Church of Scotland ) trained as a priest.
St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh
The oldest parts of St Giles Cathedral are said to date back to the early 12 century. St Giles was the patron saint of Edinburgh, as well as of cripples and lepers, and was a popular saint in the middle ages.
The cathedral's many monuments and memorials, as well as its sheer size and location, have made it a very popular tourist attraction.
Admission to the Cathedral is free. Visitors are invited to make a donation of £3.00 per person.
Volunteer guides are on duty each day to welcome visitors, answer questions and conduct guided tours on request. There are information desks situated at the main West entrance and at the Thistle Chapel.
The Cathedral Shop stocks a variety of attractive souvenirs, gifts, books and CDs, including a specialist range relating to the Cathedral itself.
St Monans Church
St Monans Church is a charming small church, affectionately known as the 'Auld Kirk', in the East Neuk of Fife. In a stunning location, virtually on the seashore, St Monans Church was originally built in the 13th century, but has been added to and sympathetically restored over the years. The Fife Coastal Path passes close by the church, which is open daily to visitors from Easter to October.
St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney
A beautiful sandstone cathedral built in the 12th century as a final resting place for the relics of St Magnus.
Morning Worship is held in the Cathedral each Sunday at 11.15am. Tea and Coffee are served at the west end of the Cathedral after the Service, to which visitors are especially welcome.
Aberlady Parish Church
In a lovely location by the Firth of Forth in the conservation village of Aberlady in East Lothian, Aberlady Parish Church is very popular as a wedding venue.
Of the church originally built in the 15th century few parts survive, mainly the tower. The church was extended and re-furbished in 1773. This 1773 Church lasted over a hundred years and the last Communion Service in the "square Kirk" was held on the 18th April 1886 before a major restoration. On the 2nd June 1887 it is recorded in the Kirk Session Notes "The New Church, built by the Earl of Wemyss, this day opened for worship."
It is open every day from April to October and at other times by arrangement with the Minister or Church Officer.
