Historic Edinburgh Churches Walking Trail Unveiled
A walking trail celebrating some of Edinburgh’s best-loved and most historic churches was launched on Thursday by representatives from Scotland’s three largest Christian denominations.
Ten of the city’s architectural jewels and spiritual havens feature in the Edinburgh City Centre Historic Churches Walking Trail, which leads from the Royal Mile to the New Town and the West End.
Access an online version here. Leaflets will be available at the featured churches.
The Trail takes in all three city cathedrals, including: St Giles’ Cathedral on the Royal Mile, where Queen Elizabeth II laid at rest; St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral on York Place, visited by Pope John Paul II in 1982; and St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral near Haymarket, the city’s highest building.
Smaller churches highlighted include: Canongate Kirk, the parish church to the royal Palace of Holyrood House; St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, which is modelled on Trafalgar Square’s St Martin-in-the-Fields; and Old St Paul’s, which hosts Alison Watt’s iconic painting Still.
The Trail is an ecumenical venture involving the Church of Scotland, the Diocese of Edinburgh in the Scottish Episcopal Church, and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh. It was designed by Anne Martin, a congregant within the Diocese of Edinburgh and a member of DMMC. She said: “Setting up the Walking Trail has given an ecumenical opportunity for three Edinburgh church communities to work together to welcome visitors, and I hope it will lead to many more.”
The Revd Fiona Reynolds, Advisor for Christian Life at the Diocese of Edinburgh, said: “The history of the city and its churches are intertwined, and so it is fitting that our three denominations are part of this venture. It has been great seeing this Walking Trail develop from a spark of an idea to publication and launch.”
The Very Revd John Conway, Provost of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh, said: “This lovely initiative provides a route to walk between the landmark churches of our beautiful city. Our hope is that the Trail not only shows people how to make their way from one church to another, but also helps reveal the long shared history and deepening friendship between us all as church communities.”
Monsignor Jeremy Milne, Administrator of St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, Edinburgh, said: “The ecumenical Walking Trail takes you through the heart of the city and is a brilliant exploration of Edinburgh’s rich Christian heritage and living communities. It is a well-chosen sample of Christian history, culture and worship which offers rich reward to those who set out along its path.”
The Revd Dr Scott Rennie, Minister of St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh, said: “Edinburgh has some of Scotland’s most uplifting places of worship, and I hope the Trail encourages people from far and wide to discover some of them. It is wonderful for our three church communities to be working together.”
Photo credits: Peter Backhouse
