900 years of history
The history of St Giles’ Cathedral has spanned 900 years, from early beginnings as a Romanesque church in 1124, to its current standing as a modern Presbyterian church and High Kirk of Scotland.
The Story of St Giles' Cathedral
Explore the history of St Giles' from 1124 to the modern era.
1124
St Giles' is Founded
Dauíd mac Maíl Choluim (King David I) founded St Giles’ in 1124, during which time the bond between Rome and the Scottish church was becoming closer. St Giles’ was built on the very eastern edge of Edinburgh and pre-dates most of the Old Town. When David I later founded the Abbey of Holyrood he gave the abbot permission to build houses up the ridge towards St Giles’, establishing the Canongate burgh and forming what is now known as the Royal Mile.
