St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh

[rhythmaning]

A couple of weeks ago, I went to St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh. I realised that I had never actually been inside Edinburgh’s Anglican Presbyterian cathedral, despite spending nearly twenty years of my life here, and whilst I seem to spend a lot of time visiting cathedrals in other cities, I really ought to make an effort to see the cathedral in my own.

There were two thoughts that immediately struck me. First, it was incredibly friendly: I was there quite early in the morning, and the information desk wasn’t open for me to buy a photo licence – the volunteer who was greeting people told me not to worry about it. (I paid later, when there was someone there.) Second, it was very dark, almost gloomy, inside. This meant my first impression was a little disappointed: it lacked the grandeur of other cathedrals I have visited.

But actually, once I started exploring, I found it fascinating. I watched the sun come up through stained glass, hunted around several small chapels and looked at the National Covenant.

These are some of the things I saw.

One of the side-chapels in the Thistle Chapel, set aside for the heraldic “Order of the Thistle”. Much of this is modern, although the antechamber, with its heavy carved bosses and gothic ceiling felt very old indeed.

Back in the body of the cathedral…

Next to the cathedral is Parliament Square, with its Georgian colonnade.

Comments

[lamentables.livejournal.com]

Lovely! But the one you lead with is my favourite. I want to see it as a book or CD cover.

Although...no, maybe the other stained glass one is my real favourite. (Is the first a crop of that one?)

[rhythmaning.livejournal.com]

The large one is a crop of the of the second - although I took another one, too; but the crop worked better - and I thought it was sufficiently colourful to attract peoples attention!

Perhaps because of the low, rising sun, I found the stained glass rather beautiful - although I do generally like stained glass: it is like painting with light.

[nicnac.livejournal.com]

I really liked the stained glass shots too. Very simple but very beautiful.

[rhythmaning.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[abrinsky.livejournal.com]

Great set of pictures but I'd go for some of the Thistle Chapel set, especially the first (love the gothic dark/light contrast) and the middle of the first set of three with the splash of light.

[rhythmaning.livejournal.com]

I think I must like splashes of light: I particularly liked the light shining through the stained glass.

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

Ooh! We don't have places like that on this side of the pond. Great photos!

[rhythmaning.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I seem to have a thing about medieval cathedrals at the moment!

[kittenexploring.livejournal.com]

What colour was the blue stained glass in your photos? I know what colour the photo is but was the original the same?

There's a range of blues and purples that digital cameras I've used don't handle. Stained glass in church seems to be use it quite often.

St Giles Cathedral

[(Anonymous)]

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Ideal for those who admit to not haiving fully explored their city!

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Take a look at www.walktalktour.com and see what you think.

Re: St Giles Cathedral

[rhythmaning.livejournal.com]

Thanks - I may give it a go!