Edinburgh Churches Walking Trail Launched

Thursday July 24 2025

From left: The Rev Fiona Reynolds, Advisor for Christian Life at the Episcopal Diocese of Edinburgh; Monsignor Jeremy Milne, Administrator of St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral; Anne Martin, who edited the Trail leaflet; the Rev Dr Scott Rennie, Minister of St Giles’ Cathedral; the Very Rev John Conway, Provost of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral. Picture by Peter Backhouse

A walking trail celebrating some of Edinburgh’s best-loved and most historic churches was launched on Thursday by representatives of Scotland’s three largest Christian denominations.

Ten of the city’s places of worship feature in the Edinburgh City Centre Historic Churches Walking Trail, which leads from the Royal Mile to the New Town and the West End.

The Trail takes in all three city cathedrals: St Giles’ Cathedral on the Royal Mile, St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral on York Place; and St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral near Haymarket.

Smaller churches highlighted include Canongate Kirk, St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church and Old St Paul’s.

The Trail is an ecumenical venture involving the Church of Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church’s Diocese of Edinburgh, and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh. It was designed by Anne Martin, a congregant from the Episcopal Diocese.

Mrs Martin said: “Setting up the Walking Trail has given an ecumenical opportunity for three Edinburgh church communities to work together to welcome visitors, and I hope it will lead to many more.”

The Very Rev John Conway, Provost of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh, said: “This lovely initiative provides a route to walk between the landmark churches of our beautiful city. Our hope is that the Trail not only shows people how to make their way from one church to another, but also helps reveal the long shared history and deepening friendship between us all as church communities.”

Monsignor Jeremy Milne, Administrator of St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, Edinburgh, said: “The ecumenical Walking Trail takes you through the heart of the city and is a brilliant exploration of Edinburgh's rich Christian heritage and living communities. It is a well-chosen sample of Christian history, culture and worship which offers rich reward to those who set out along its path.”

The Revd Dr Scott Rennie, Minister of St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh, said: “Edinburgh has some of Scotland’s most uplifting places of worship, and I hope the Trail encourages people from far and wide to discover some of them. It is wonderful for our three church communities to be working together.”

Access an online version of the walking trail here. Leaflets will be available at the featured churches.

Comments

Crispin Longden - Thursday, July 24th, 2025

“Please note that The New Town Church is not open on Saturdays. All other details are correct for us.

Regards
Crispin
Session Clerk”

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