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About St Giles’

St Giles’ Cathedral, founded in 1124 by King David I, has been a working church for over 900 years. A backdrop to Scotland’s turbulent religious history, it has seen the seeds of civil war sown and been John Knox’s parish church during the Reformation. It is still an important centre for civic services such as the Kirking of the Parliament and services for Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle.

St Giles’ Cathedral is open to all, to worship, to visit and to experience music, art and history within its walls.

EDINBURGH’S FIRST BURGHERS

Celebrating the 900th anniversaries of both St Giles’ Cathedral and Edinburgh, Edinburgh’s First Burghers brings together new research by The City of Edinburgh Council Archaeology Service and scientists and experts from The Francis Crick Institute (aDNA) in London and the Universities of Aberdeen (Isotopic analysis) and Dundee (Forensic Art & Facial Imaging): the remains of medieval burials first excavated in 1981.

The exhibition also features new lighting designs by Mettje Hunneman to project the facial reconstructions of five early Edinburghers throughout the Cathedral, along with a short documentary by Cinetopia featuring interviews with the project team and Cathedral staff, discussing the results and importance of the work to the heritage of the City and the Cathedral.

Edinburgh’s First Burghers Exhibition is open until 30th November 2025. Free entry with an optional donation.

Build St Giles’!

Get ready for a visit by building St Giles’ and learning its 900 year history.

Click here to have a go!

Browse through our upcoming events at St Giles’ and potential closures.

Or check our What’s on list, for a complete guide to events at St Giles’.

What’s on

Our Sunday Services are at 9.30am and 11:00am and there is a 15 minute prayer service at 12:00 every weekday.

UPCOMING EVENTS