Enjoy Edinburgh's churches and cathedrals for free

Edinburgh’s skyline is punctuated with churches and cathedral spires. Peaceful refuges from city hustle and bustle, these historic buildings are well worth a visit for their interesting architecture and many also have cafes, exhibitions and events.

St Giles’ Cathedral

Standing halfway between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, St Giles’ Cathedral was founded in the 12th century and due to its role in Scotland’s Reformation history is often referred to as the 'Cradle of Presbyterianism'. Take in the beautiful stained glass windows that date from the 1870s and see the Thistle Chapel, home of the Knights of the Order of the Thistle, Scotland's most senior order of chivalry which is headed by The Queen.

Greyfriar’s Kirk

Up near the top of the Royal Mile, Greyfriar’s Kirk has stood since 1620 on land which was granted by Mary, Queen of Scots. The kirk is famous for its graveyard, which was not only frequented by grave robbers but is also said to be where a faithful dog, Greyfriar’s Bobby, sat by his master’s grave. Another historic event here was the signing of the National Covenant in 1638, an important event and document in Scottish history which you can find out about at the kirk’s visitor centre.

Canongate Kirk

Dating from 1690, the historic Canongate Kirk was built near the bottom of the Royal Mile and its modest architecture is a perfect place for peaceful reflection. Its parish includes nearby Holyrood Palace so it welcomes members of the royal family when they are residence. In the summer of 2011, the church was the venue for the marriage of Zara Philips, the daughter of the Princess Royal and granddaughter of HM The Queen.

Other city centre churches

There are several other impressive church buildings to visit in Edinburgh city centre. These include St Johns which is renowned for its stained glass, St Cuthberts which has intricate ceiling paintings, St Mary's Cathedral, which is great example of neo-Gothic architecture and St Andrew's and St George's West on George Street which is an excellent example of Georgian architecture.

Shopping - Edinburgh's Princes Street and other areas

Shopping in Edinburgh is a fantastic experience as you can browse the stores of several great spots including Princes Street, George Street and the St James Centre while admiring fine architecture and striking views of the castle.

When it comes to shopping in Edinburgh, it’s not just the unique mix of high street names, designer stores and independent shops that make it an experience to remember. Combine the wide choice of shops with stunning architecture and striking views and Edinburgh becomes the perfect shopping destination.

Princes Street

For a first-class experience shopping in Edinburgh, Princes Street should be your first stop. Wander along the wide pavement of the street in Edinburgh's city centre and enjoy the impressive views of Edinburgh Castle, towering above the beautiful Princes Street Gardens. Equally impressive is the shops; Princes Street shopping is a blend of high street brands with famous department stores such as Jenners, an Edinburgh institution since 1938, which sits in a beautiful building full of Victorian grandeur.

George Street

The shops on George Street, Edinburgh, offer a stylish mix of sophisticated clothes, accessories and homeware alongside an exciting range of trendy bars and places to eat. George Street shops include Karen Millen, LK Bennett, Jigsaw and Coast, beauty boutiques including Jo Malone and the country’s only Anthropologie as well as Scottish stores such as Arran Aromatics, a leading producer of luxury toiletries and exclusive fragrances.

Either side of George Street you’ll find gems tucked away down charming side streets such as Thistle and Rose Street. These shopping streets are home of some of the country’s best boutiques including Jane Davidson, honoured by fashion bible Vogue as one of Britain’s top 100 independent stores.

Multrees Walk

The first new street to be created in Edinburgh since the 18th century, Multrees Walk is full of luxury brands including Armani, Louis Vuitton, Mulberry and Kurt Geiger. Next to Multrees Walk, and standing at the end of George Street in St Andrews Square, is the first Scottish store of Harvey Nichols, in a grand five-storey building with far reaching views over Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth.

Princes Mall and St James Centre

Take the time to look around the shopping centres of Princes Mall and the St James Centre in Edinburgh to find more variety of stores with new trends in clothes and footwear and gifts for friends and family back home. The St James Centre is home to the department store John Lewis, where you can spend hours browsing, while Princes Mall also has a fantastic food court where you can grab a bite to eat or enjoy a quick coffee.