 For much of its existence St Cuthbert’s Church was a country kirk, outside of the city wall. In the reign of King David I of Scotland (1124-1153), Edinburgh was clustered on the ridge that runs eastwards from the Castle. All along the foot of the northern slope of the Castle rock was a morass or marsh and from there northwards it was all countryside until one came to Newhaven and Leith on the coast.
The kirk below the Castle of Edinburgh has a claim to great, but imprecise, antiquity. One theory about its origins is that St. Cuthbert journeyed from Melrose and stayed awhile in the sheltered hollow below the Castle rock. Another view is that the Church came into being only 50 years before the 1127 Charter. Simeon of Durham, in 1130, wrote of a church in Edwin’s Burgh in 854 A.D.; but while some believe it was St Cuthbert’s, others think it was St Giles.
About St. Cuthbert's Church
Parish Church of St. Cuthbert, Edinburgh Website
Parish Church of St. Cuthbert: History
Journey to St. Cuthbert's Church
The Parish Church of St. Cuthbert lies hidden in the trees to the western end of Princes Street Gardens (and under the Edinburgh Castle) in Edinburgh.
Ordnance Survey Map (NT247735)
Visitors Information
Visitors information may be found at Parish Church of St. Cuthbert, Edinburgh website. General tourist information for Edinburgh as a whole may be found on the Edinburgh & The Lothians website.
Additional Photos of St. Cuthbert's Church
Information Sign on St. Cuthbert's Church
St. Cuthbert's Church
St. Cuthbert's Church
St. Cuthbert's Church
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