Historic churches · Central Scotland
Kirk of the Canongate
In or near Edinburgh.
Kirk of the Canongate — church in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 30 min–1 h
- Nearest railway station
- Edinburgh Waverley · 0.7 km
- Free entry
Getting there & planning your visit
To visit the Kirk of the Canongate, the nearest railway station is Edinburgh Waverley, which is 0.7 km away. Entry to the church is free. The postcode for sat-nav is EH8 8DD.
About
Kirk of the Canongate is a historic church in the United Kingdom. Recent population estimates put it at around 1,250 people. Heritage designation: category A listed building. Part of Presbytery of Edinburgh. Wikidata describes it as: "church in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK". Coordinates: 55.9517°, -3.1796°.
Photo gallery
Heritage listing
The Kirk of the Canongate, or Canongate Kirk, serves the Parish of Canongate in Edinburgh's Old Town, in Scotland. It is a congregation of the Church of Scotland. The parish includes the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament. It is also the parish church of Edinburgh Castle, even though the castle is detached from the rest of the parish. The wedding of Zara Phillips, the Queen's granddaughter, and former England rugby captain Mike Tindall took place at the church on 30 July 2011.
From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.
Official information
Canongate Kirk is an ancient church located in Edinburgh, known for its rich history and vibrant community. Visitors can explore the church and participate in weekly services, which are open to all.
From the Wikipedia article
The Kirk of the Canongate, or Canongate Kirk, serves the Parish of Canongate in Edinburgh's Old Town, in Scotland. It is a congregation of the Church of Scotland. The parish includes the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament. It is also the parish church of Edinburgh Castle, even though the castle is detached from the rest of the parish. The wedding of Zara Phillips, the Queen's granddaughter, and former England rugby captain Mike Tindall took place at the church on 30 July 2011. The late Queen Elizabeth II used to attend services in the church on some of her frequent visits to Edinburgh.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
After the Reformation the congregation of the Canongate continued to use Holyrood Abbey for worship. However, in September 1672 the Privy Council forbade its continuing use, such that the King might utilise the structure as a Chapel Royal. The congregation were instructed to use Lady Yester's Church while a new church was constructed.
Architecture
Architecturally, the Kirk has a Dutch-style end gable and a curious, small doric-columned portico over the entrance. The end gable is topped with a golden cross inside a pair of antlers, the now obsolete coat of arms of the Canongate, first placed on the apex of the roof in 1824 and replaced by those from a stag shot at Balmoral by King George VI in 1949. The Kirk's interior has a cruciform layout (highly unusual for a post-Reformation, pre-Victorian Church of Scotland building). The Kirk's interior was extensively remodelled in 1882, with the inclusion of a pipe organ and a central pulpit. These unsympathetic alterations were removed in the early 1950s, along with the galleries. The…
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 55.9517, -3.1796
- District
- City of Edinburgh
- Postcode
- EH8 8DD
- Parliamentary constituency
- Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
- Phone
- +44 131 529 4057
- Population
- 1,250
- Nearest railway station
- Edinburgh Waverley — 0.7 km
- Opening
- Weekdays 11am–4pm; Saturdays and Sundays after church service.
- Official site
- www.canongatekirk.org.uk
Sources
- wikidata: Q6415559 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Canongate Kirk (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Canongate Kirk - 2025-04-19.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Kirk of the Canongate?
- Kirk of the Canongate is in central Scotland, United Kingdom (postcode EH8 8DD).
- What is Kirk of the Canongate?
- Kirk of the Canongate — church in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
- How do I get to Kirk of the Canongate?
- The nearest railway station is Edinburgh Waverley, about 0.7 km away. Drivers can use postcode EH8 8DD.
- Is Kirk of the Canongate a listed building?
- Kirk of the Canongate is officially recognised as category A listed building listed.
- Is Kirk of the Canongate free to visit?
- Yes, Kirk of the Canongate is free to enter.
- How do I get to Kirk of the Canongate?
- The nearest railway station is Edinburgh Waverley, about 0.7 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode EH8 8DD.