Basic Site Details

Name: St Giles Cathedral
City or county: Edinburgh
Country: Scotland
Parish:  
Status: A listed
Grid ref:
Notes: CHECK Builder refs.

Alternative Names

The following alternative names are associated with this building/design:
 NameCurrent name?Notes
Item 1 of 2St Giles High Kirk  
Item 2 of 2St Giles Kirk  

Building Type Classification

The building is classified under the following categories:
 ClassificationOriginal classification?Notes
Item 1 of 1Cathedral  

Street Addresses

The following street addresses are associated with this building:
 AddressMain entrance?Notes
Item 1 of 1High StreetYes 

Events

The following date-based events are associated with this building:
 FromToEvent typeNotes
Item 1 of 321648 RepairRepair of crown spire
Item 2 of 321777 ProposedFor alterations by Craig
Item 3 of 321780 Alterations and additionsCraig awarded contract for alterations including refitting of High Church (i.e. choir) with Gothic pulpit, galleries etc
Item 4 of 3217961797Alterations and additions 
Item 5 of 321818 Plans drawn upProposals to remove the shops along the south side of the Cathedral. Complete 'reparation' of the Cathedral proposed.
Item 6 of 321821 Plans drawn up 
Item 7 of 3218291833ReconstructionReconstruction of exterior
Item 8 of 321842  Refitting of the nave as St Giles West Parish Church
Item 9 of 321867  Original sketch scheme for restoration
Item 10 of 321868  First proposals for restoration including improvements to the choir 'as proposed by the Lord Provost'
Item 11 of 3218711874 Restoration of choir
Item 12 of 3223 March 1874 OpenedReopened after restoration
Item 13 of 3225 April 1874  Restoration of choir completed
Item 14 of 321878  Restoration of south transept
Item 15 of 321881  Restoration of nave and north transept. James Craig's work removed.
Item 16 of 321883  Vestry, session house west door, north door and screen in north transept.
Item 17 of 321884  Royal pew
Item 18 of 321889  Memorial chapel to Dr Chambers
Item 19 of 3218891891 Tracery in window of St John's Chapel
Item 20 of 321891  Ladies' vestry in choir
Item 21 of 32After 1900Before 1911 Organ case
Item 22 of 32c. 1907c. 1910 Pendulum room in tower altered
Item 23 of 321910  Communion table (altered and removed to War Memorial Chapel in Albany Aisle)
Item 24 of 32c. 1927c. 1930 Alterations to vestries etc
Item 25 of 32November 1930March 1931 Screen, minister's chair and kneeler for Moray Aisle
Item 26 of 321935  Elders' chairs
Item 27 of 3219391940 New organ case
Item 28 of 321940 Build/constructionOpen screens and ceiling in vestibule
Item 29 of 321946 Alterations and additionsWar memorial chapel furnishings and extensive alterations to sanctuary for State service at which HM the Queen received the Crown of Scotland
Item 30 of 3219771980Restoration 
Item 31 of 3219811982Build/constructionStone staircase at end of S aisle
Item 32 of 3219841989RestorationGeneral restoration and re-ordering of interior, including new central holy table and pews.

People

Design and Construction

The following individuals or organisations have carried out design/construction work. Where architects or practices worked together, matching letters appear beside their names in the Partnership Group column.
 NameRolePartnership GroupFromToNotes
Item 1 of 64John Mylne junior A1648 Repair of crown spire
Item 2 of 64James Craig Z17771781Various proposed alterations in 1777 - not executed. However Craig given contract in 1780 for various works including refitting of High Church (i.e. choir) with Gothic pulpit, galleries etc.).
Item 3 of 64Robert Burn Y17961797Alterations - mason work
Item 4 of 64Archibald Elliot K1818 Proposals to remove the shops along the south side of the Cathedral. Complete 'reparation' of the Cathedral proposed.
Item 5 of 64John Chalmers O1821 Drew up plans and elevations.
Item 6 of 64William Burn X18291833Reconstruction of exterior
Item 7 of 64Thomas Brown I  1842 Refitting of the nave as St Giles West Parish Church
Item 8 of 64Robert Morham  1867 Original sketch scheme for restoration
Item 9 of 64H M Office of Works (later Ministry of Works, Department of the Environment and Property Services Agency) B1868 First proposals for restoration including improvements to the choir 'as proposed by the Lord Provost' (with Matheson as architect for Scotland in the Office of Works)
Item 10 of 64Robert Matheson B1868 First proposals for restoration including improvements to the choir 'as proposed by the Lord Provost' (Matheson as architect for Scotland in the Office of Works)
Item 11 of 64William Hay  18711874Restoration of choir (included designs of statuettes on reredos)
Item 12 of 64George Henderson C1878 Restoration of south transept
Item 13 of 64Hay & Henderson C1878 Restoration of south transept
Item 14 of 64William Hay C1878 Restoration of south transept
Item 15 of 64George Henderson D1881 Restoration of nave and north transept. .
Item 16 of 64Hay & Henderson D1881 Restoration of nave and north transept.
Item 17 of 64William Hay D1881 Restoration of nave and north transept
Item 18 of 64George Henderson E1883 Vestry, session house, west door, north door, screen in north transept
Item 19 of 64Hay & Henderson E1883 Vestry, session house, west door, north door, screen in north transept
Item 20 of 64William Hay E1883 Vestry, session house, west door, north door, screen in north transept
Item 21 of 64George Henderson F1884 Royal Pew
Item 22 of 64Hay & Henderson F1884 Royal Pew
Item 23 of 64William Hay F1884 Royal Pew
Item 24 of 64David MacGibbon G1889 Memorial chapel to Dr Chambers
Item 25 of 64MacGibbon & Ross G1889 Memorial chapel to Dr Chambers
Item 26 of 64Thomas Ross G1889 Memorial chapel to Dr Chambers
Item 27 of 64David MacGibbon H18891891Tracery in window of St John's Chapel
Item 28 of 64MacGibbon & Ross H18891891Tracery in window of St John's Chapel
Item 29 of 64Thomas Ross H18891891Tracery in window of St John's Chapel
Item 30 of 64David MacGibbon I1891 Ladies' vestry in choir
Item 31 of 64MacGibbon & Ross I1891 Ladies' vestry in choir
Item 32 of 64Thomas Ross I1891 Ladies' vestry in choir
Item 33 of 64Joseph Marr Johnston  After 1900Before 1911Organ case
Item 34 of 64(Sir) Robert Stodart Lorimer Jc. 1907c. 1912Pendulum room in tower
Item 35 of 64(Sir) Robert Stodart Lorimer K1910  
Item 36 of 64(Sir) Robert Stodart Lorimer Lc. 1912c. 1930Furniture, screen etc. for Albany Aisle and Chambers Aisle
Item 37 of 64(Sir) Robert Stodart Lorimer Mc. 19271929New vestries - apparently finished posthumously
Item 38 of 64John Fraser Matthew Mc. 1927c. 1931New vestries
Item 39 of 64Lorimer & Matthew Mc. 1927c. 1931New vestries
Item 40 of 64Lorimer & Matthew L1929c. 1930Furniture, screen etc. for Albany Aisle and Chambers Aisle
Item 41 of 64John Fraser Matthew NNovember 1930March 1931Sir John Findlay Memorial Screen, Dean's Chair/minister's chair, and kneeler for Moray Aisle
Item 42 of 64Lorimer & Matthew NNovember 1930March 1931Sir John Findlay Memorial Screen, Dean's Chair/minister's chair, and kneeler for Moray Aisle
Item 43 of 64Reginald Francis Joseph Fairlie  1935 Elders' chairs
Item 44 of 64Alexander Esmé Gordon (or Esmé Gordon) O19391940New organ case
Item 45 of 64James Robertson O19391940New organ case
Item 46 of 64Robertson & Gordon O19391940New organ case
Item 47 of 64Alexander Esmé Gordon (or Esmé Gordon) U1940 Open screens and ceiling in vestibule
Item 48 of 64Alexander Esmé Gordon (or Esmé Gordon) W1946 War memorial chapel furnishings and extensive alterations to sanctuary for State service at which HM the Queen received the Crown of Scotland
Item 49 of 64Gordon & Dey W1946 War memorial chapel furnishings and extensive alterations to sanctuary for State service at which HM the Queen received the Crown of Scotland
Item 50 of 64William Gordon Dey W1946 War memorial chapel furnishings and extensive alterations to sanctuary for State service at which HM the Queen received the Crown of Scotland
Item 51 of 64Andrew Stewart Brown A19771980Restoration
Item 52 of 64James Walter Thorburn Simpson A19771980Restoration
Item 53 of 64Simpson & Brown A19771980Restoration
Item 54 of 64Andrew Stewart Brown T19811982Stone staircase at end of S aisle
Item 55 of 64Bernard Feilden, Simpson & Brown T19811982Stone staircase at end of S aisle
Item 56 of 64Bernard Melchior Feilden (Sir) T19811982Stone staircase at end of S aisle
Item 57 of 64James Walter Thorburn Simpson T19811982Stone staircase at end of S aisle
Item 58 of 64Simpson & Brown A19841989General restoration and re-ordering of interior, including new central holy table and pews.
Item 59 of 64Andrew Stewart Brown S19841989General restoration and re-ordering of interior, including new central holy table and pews.
Item 60 of 64Bernard Feilden, Simpson & Brown S1984 General restoration and re-ordering of interior
Item 61 of 64Bernard Melchior Feilden (Sir) S19841989General restoration and re-ordering of interior. As consultant?
Item 62 of 64James Walter Thorburn Simpson S19841989General restoration and re-ordering of interior, including new central holy table and pews.
Item 63 of 64Campbell & Arnott Yc. 20002003Design of new organ
Item 64 of 64Douglas Philip Jarvie Laird Yc. 20002003Design of new organ

Clients

The following individuals or organisations have commissioned work on this building/design:
 NameNotes
Item 1 of 1Chambers, Lord Provost WilliamClient for original 1867 restoration scheme

Related Buildings, Structures and Designs

Child Structures

This structure or site has the following component or child structures (click on an item to view details):
 Building NameNotes
Item 1 of 27St Giles Cathedral, 5th Battalion Royal Scots First World War MemorialWith C d'O Pilkington Jackson, sculptor. B of S attributes the executed memorial to F C Mears, but drawings by Lorimer exist in the Lorimer Collection; several architects may have been asked to submit designs.
Item 2 of 27St Giles Cathedral, 94th (City of Edinburgh) HAA Regiment 2nd World War memorial 
Item 3 of 27St Giles Cathedral, Albany Chapel, memorial to the 416th Field Company of Royal EngineersSculptor Mr Fanindra Rose and enamels by Miss Kirkwood.
Item 4 of 27St Giles Cathedral, Archibald Marquess of Argyle Monument 
Item 5 of 27St Giles Cathedral, Chapel of the Order of the ThistleFinal cost: £25,735 2 9 - which exceeded the sum of £22,000 provided for the building and the £2,000 for the endowment.

1920s stonework by A Colville & Co.

East window by Douglas Strachan.

Seven windows by Louis Davis, with tracery lights by Karl Parsons.
Item 6 of 27St Giles Cathedral, Dempster Memorial 
Item 7 of 27St Giles Cathedral, Finlay Memorial 
Item 8 of 27St Giles Cathedral, General Sir John Ewart Memorial 
Item 9 of 27St Giles Cathedral, Lord Justice General Inglis Memorial 
Item 10 of 27St Giles Cathedral, Marquess of Montrose Monument 
Item 11 of 27St Giles Cathedral, Memorial to Alastair Hunter MacFarlaneNow in storage
Item 12 of 27St Giles Cathedral, Memorial to the 15th Royal Scots Battalion 
Item 13 of 27St Giles Cathedral, Memorial to the 17th Royal Scots Battalion 
Item 14 of 27St Giles Cathedral, Monument to ChalmersThis may refer to the monument to Thomas Chambers - tablet with portrait by Pilkington Jackson.
Item 15 of 27St Giles Cathedral, Monument to George Lorimer 
Item 16 of 27St Giles Cathedral, Monument to John Stuart BlackieStone panel with portrait, in south aisle.
Item 17 of 27St Giles Cathedral, Monument to Rev Robert Nisbet 
Item 18 of 27St Giles Cathedral, Ogilvie Memorial 
Item 19 of 27St Giles Cathedral, organ 
Item 20 of 27St Giles Cathedral, R S Lorimer MemorialRobert Blackwood surveyor worked in conjunction with Railton.
Item 21 of 27St Giles Cathedral, Royal Army Medical Corps Memorial 
Item 22 of 27St Giles Cathedral, Royal Scots Boer MemorialMemorial is signed.
Item 23 of 27St Giles Cathedral, Royal Scots Ist World War MemorialWith Pilkington Jackson, sculptor. Memorial for 4th and 16th Royal Scots
Item 24 of 27St Giles Cathedral, Scottish Ministers War Memorial 
Item 25 of 27St Giles Cathedral, screen and reredosIn south aisle of nave. Later removed to north side of crossing. Now in RMS
Item 26 of 27St Giles Cathedral, Shrine of Youth 
Item 27 of 27St Giles Cathedral, War Memorial to 6th Royal Scots 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this building:
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 13Colvin, Howard2008A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 London: YUP. 4th edition 
Item 2 of 13Cruft, K and Fraser, A (ed)1995James Craig 1744-1795  p110-112. Gives full details of documents relating to Craig work.
Item 3 of 13Gifford, John, McWilliam, Colin and Walker, David M1984Edinburgh (The Buildings of Scotland) Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltdpp106-116
Item 4 of 13Glendinning, M, MacInnes, R and MacKechnie, A1996A History of Scottish Architecture  p595
Item 5 of 13History of the King's Works    v6 p254
Item 6 of 13Lees, J Cameron1889St Giles' Edinburgh  p402
Item 7 of 13Mylne, R S The Master Masons to the Crown of Scotland  p144
Item 8 of 13Nuttgens, Patrick1959Reginald Fairlie 1883-1952: A Scottish Architect Edinburgh: Oliver & Boydp47
Item 9 of 13RSA1868   160 (for 1868 proposed work)
Item 10 of 13RSA1880   976
Item 11 of 13RSA1883   995
Item 12 of 13RSA1940   56 (organ case)
Item 13 of 13Simpson & Brown2012Simpson & Brown Architects:Thirty-five years in practice 1977-2012   

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this building:
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 11British Architect1891  Check date
Item 2 of 11Builder29 March 1873XXXI p250
Item 3 of 11Builder25 April 1874XXXII p350
Item 4 of 11Builder30 May 1874XXXII p455 CHECK
Item 5 of 11Builder22 February 1879XXXVII p211
Item 6 of 11BuilderLate 1880XXXIX p34 CHECK
Item 7 of 11Builder1890LVIII or LIX Check date
Item 8 of 11Builder5 August 1893LXV  
Item 9 of 11Building News1889  Check date
Item 10 of 11Peterhead SentinelBetween 1 June 1888 and 8   
Item 11 of 11Scots Magazine1 September 1818   

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this building:
 SourceArchive nameSource catalogue no.Notes
Item 1 of 11Edinburgh City ArchivesEdinburgh Town Council Minutes1780/02/23For later scheme by Craig.
Item 2 of 11Historic Environment ScotlandListed Buildings Register27381 
Item 3 of 11National Archives of Scotland (formerly SRO)Register House Plans No numbers given in HS List. Plans of 1871 by William Hay
Item 4 of 11National Archives of Scotland (formerly SRO)Register House PlansRHP 6512/8-12 
Item 5 of 11National Library of ScotlandManuscript CollectionMS 502, 1-8Earlier scheme for Craig work on St Giles (1777)
Item 6 of 11National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMSDrawings Collection Organ case for new organ by Henry Willis, designed by Esme Gordon. Now destroyed. Wooden model survives in NMRS Acc No 1999/107
Item 7 of 11National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMSHay and Henderson Collection HH10/1 (north screen); HH1/39-40
Item 8 of 11National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMSLorimer and Matthew Collection LOR E/114/1, LOR E/116, LOR E/353, LOR E/362
Item 9 of 11National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMSNMRS Architects Index  
Item 10 of 11Public Record OfficeOffice of Works RecordsMPD 193 
Item 11 of 11RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers Joseph Marr Johnston: L v18 no1372; John Fraser Matthew: L no3904 (box 18) & F no2945 (box 14); Alexander Esme Gordon: F no 5129 (Combined Box 58)