Churches and Cathedrals in Rosyth

"I suggest a late lunch after you explore the charming, cobbled streets of this historic area and experience some street performers, Canongate Kirkyard (Adam Smith is buried here), Dunbar Close, St. Giles Cathedral, and eventually Edinburgh Castle itself, all the way at the top of the Royal Mile (Be sure to book your Edinburgh Castle skip the line tickets in advance). The charm and beauty of Edinburgh, Scotland never cease to amaze me."

"The Canongate Kirk is a relatively simple building at the bottom of the Royal Mile. The church has many royal connections: in 1952, recently crowned Queen Elizabeth II was the first reigning monarch to visit while her granddaughter, Zara Philips, married here in 2011. Take a look at the coats of arms on the front two pews - these are the Royal Pew and the Castle Pew, reserved for visitors from the Royal family or Edinburgh Castle."

"In 1688 King James VII of Scotland (also King James II of England) ordered the construction of the Kirk of the Canongate and it was completed in 1691. Residents nearby had been using the Abbey Church but the King wanted to us that as a Chapel for the Order of the Thistle. The Kirk is architecturally unusual for Scotland with a Dutch-style end gable and a cruciform layout inside."

"Located at the foot of Edinburgh Castle, St Cuthbert’s Parish Church is the spire you can see poking through the Edinburgh skyline whenever you see panoramic pictures of Edinburgh Castle itself. Expect to hear the Church’s ten bells on Sunday mornings and see beautiful wall paintings, stained glass windows and an organ built in 1899. Child friendly: yes, but no particular activities are available for them on a regular basis Address: St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, 5 Lothian Road, Edinburgh EH1 2EP Opening hours for visitors: Tue to Thu 10am – 3pm More information here."

"Situated at the foot of the Castle and nestled amidst its churchyard and an abundance of greenery is St Cuthbert’s. It is widely believed that a church has been standing in this spot since 850 AD, making it technically Edinburgh’s oldest building. The architecture and decoration of the church is particularly ornate, which made it a source of some controversy when it was first designed."

"On Day 2, venture outside of the capital to see some of Scotland’s other historic sites, such as Rosslyn Chapel (a fifteenth-century chapel that is also one of the settings in The Da Vinci Code). Overnight in Edinburgh."

"Address: 28 Manor Place / Palmerston Place, Edinburgh, EH12 5AW, Scotland, UK Tel: +44 (0)131 225 6293 Designed by George Gilbert Scott, the Cathedral Church of St. Mary the Virgin is located on the western side of the city centre. Construction of the cathedral began in 1874 and whilst the nave was opened just five years later, the twin spires on its western side were not actually completed until 1917. Highlights include impressive neo-Gothic architecture, well-preserved stained-glass windows, murals and an outstanding art collection, as well as daily choral services."

"St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral is a short walk from Princes Street towards Haymarket. Its spires are visible from most places in Edinburgh, especially looking west from Princes Street. Not only does this cathedral offer a place of stillness in the bustling Scottish capital, there are also opportunities such as learning to be a stonemason in the Cathedral Workshop or a Cathedral Chorister at St Mary’s Music School."

"The neo-Gothic St. Mary's Cathedral is a striking building set in large grounds. Designed by George Gilbert Scott, it was consecrated in 1879. St. Mary's is the largest ecclesiastical building to be built in Scotland since the Reformation."

"Address: 61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD, Scotland, UK Tel: +44 (0)131 556 1798 This popular Roman Catholic church dates back to 1814, being designed by James Gillespie Graham. Each month on the third Tuesday, look out for the organ and choir recitals. The adjacent Cafe Camino provides a rather tempting menu, offering bacon sandwiches, freshly made soup, lunchboxes for children, a choice of beverages (including coffee, tea, wine, beer and cider) and tubs of locally produced ice cream."

"St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, originally called the Chapel of St Mary’s, held its first masses in August 1814. The Cathedral houses the National Shrine of St Andrew, Scotland’s patron saint, and even has an underground passage leading to a priest’s house in York Place. It wasn’t until the 1970s that passers by could see the Cathedral in its full splendor when tenements in front of the building were demolished."

"Also dating back to the 1800s, Old St Paul’s has since been renovated multiple times – the nave extended and the chancel floor raised with marble. Nearly all of the many panes of stained glass, ornaments and vestments were made possible by fundraising or donations. Unusually, the gargoyles at Old St Paul’s are located inside, not on the exterior of the church as is common on buildings of this period."

"Address: East London Street, Edinburgh, EH7 4BL, Scotland, UK Mansfield Place Church is to be found within the New Town area, standing close to the bus depot and the King George V Park. Built in 1872 by Robert Rowand Anderson, this old church has had many uses over the years and once even functioned as a nightclub. Today, it is owned by the Mansfield Traquair Trust, a conservation group who have actively restored the building over a number of years."

"It’s a heart-warming tale that’s been told in books, cartoons and even a Disney film – the faithful little dog that guarded his master’s grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard for 14 years. Greyfriars Bobby, a Skye terrier, became a local celebrity, even making a friend of the Lord Provost of the time. His memory is celebrated by a granite drinking fountain, complete with bronze cast of Bobby (which is also the smallest listed structure in Edinburgh)."

"Greyfriar’s Kirk has possibly the most famous kirkyard in Edinburgh thanks to Greyfriar’s Bobby and the many Harry Potter references. However, this church is notable for other reasons too: it is the site of a pre-Reformation Franciscan monastery while the National Covenant was signed here in 1638. Nowadays Greyfriar’s Kirk hosts free music concerts, art exhibitions, ceilidhs and also offers a recording space recording space."

"Greyfriars Kirk is situated on the south side of the Grassmarket. Built between 1602 and 1620, it is one of the oldest buildings in the city. The church is surrounded by Greyfriars Kirkyard (cemetery) where following the defeat of the Covenanters in 1679, some 1200 men were imprisoned on the south side of the church."

"Little ones will love this small, family run city farm where they can interact with goats, lambs, chickens and even a tortoise!. There’s also a small playground and some fruit and vegetable gardens – you can purchase the fresh, organic produce at the end of your trip. Address: 51 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh EH11 2LA"

"For the little ones who love animals, LOVE Gorgie Farm is the urban farm that welcomes families to come and meet the farm animals including chickens, ducks, cattle, pigs, sheep and goats. They can even learn about the hands-on farming. They also provide birthday events, school trips and farm tours."

"LOVE Gorgie Farm, 51 Gorgie Rd, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH11 2LA. Things to do at LOVE Gorgie Farm review. Right in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland, you will find a little piece of the countryside at LOVE Gorgie farm."

"At the heart of Edinburgh's flagship waterfront regeneration, Ocean Terminal is a state-of-the-art leisure and retail complex designed by Sir Terence Conran. It boasts 45,000 sq m of shopping and leisure accommodation on three floors and 1600 car parking spaces. The mix includes more than 50 stores, bars and restaurants, a gym and a 12-screen cinema, not to mention stunning views over the Firth of Forth."

"Ocean Terminal is designed by Sir Terence Conran in the heart of Edinburg occupying 45000 sqm space for shopping and recreation. What makes it one of the best shopping malls in Edinburgh is that not only does it have more than 75 shopping stores such as Debenhams and Charlie Miller, but it as well as has bars, restaurants, and even a gym!. There is also a cineplex inside the mall with 12 theatres!"

"Ocean Terminal is located in the Leith area of Edinburgh on the city's waterfront. The huge modern shopping centre has free parking and is ideal for dining, shopping and cinema goers. Inside, Ocean Terminal has a VUE Cinema and numerous shops, restaurants and cafes."

"Located at the east end of Princes Street, you’ll find the newest edition to Edinburgh’s shopping centres – St James Quarter. From beauty to clothing, electronics to footwear, this 4-storey centre covers 1.7 million square feet and includes restaurants, cafés, bars, shops, public spaces and leisure venues. A Roomzzz aparthotel where guests can stay for one night, one week, or even up to a year, as well as Edinburgh’s first boutique Everyman cinema will open during future phases."