Basic Site Details Name: | St Giles Cathedral | City or county: | Edinburgh | Country: | Scotland | Parish: | | Status: | A listed | Grid ref: | | Notes: | CHECK Builder refs. | Alternative NamesThe following alternative names are associated with this building/design: | | Name | Current name? | Notes | | St Giles High Kirk | | | | St Giles Kirk | | |
Building Type ClassificationThe building is classified under the following categories: | | Classification | Original classification? | Notes | | Cathedral | | |
Street AddressesThe following street addresses are associated with this building: | | Address | Main entrance? | Notes | | High Street | Yes | |
EventsThe following date-based events are associated with this building: | | From | To | Event type | Notes | | 1648 | | Repair | Repair of crown spire | | 1777 | | Proposed | For alterations by Craig | | 1780 | | Alterations and additions | Craig awarded contract for alterations including refitting of High Church (i.e. choir) with Gothic pulpit, galleries etc | | 1796 | 1797 | Alterations and additions | | | 1818 | | Plans drawn up | Proposals to remove the shops along the south side of the Cathedral. Complete 'reparation' of the Cathedral proposed. | | 1821 | | Plans drawn up | | | 1829 | 1833 | Reconstruction | Reconstruction of exterior | | 1842 | | | Refitting of the nave as St Giles West Parish Church | | 1867 | | | Original sketch scheme for restoration | | 1868 | | | First proposals for restoration including improvements to the choir 'as proposed by the Lord Provost' | | 1871 | 1874 | | Restoration of choir | | 23 March 1874 | | Opened | Reopened after restoration | | 25 April 1874 | | | Restoration of choir completed | | 1878 | | | Restoration of south transept | | 1881 | | | Restoration of nave and north transept. James Craig's work removed. | | 1883 | | | Vestry, session house west door, north door and screen in north transept. | | 1884 | | | Royal pew | | 1889 | | | Memorial chapel to Dr Chambers | | 1889 | 1891 | | Tracery in window of St John's Chapel | | 1891 | | | Ladies' vestry in choir | | After 1900 | Before 1911 | | Organ case | | c. 1907 | c. 1910 | | Pendulum room in tower altered | | 1910 | | | Communion table (altered and removed to War Memorial Chapel in Albany Aisle) | | c. 1927 | c. 1930 | | Alterations to vestries etc | | November 1930 | March 1931 | | Screen, minister's chair and kneeler for Moray Aisle | | 1935 | | | Elders' chairs | | 1939 | 1940 | | New organ case | | 1940 | | Build/construction | Open screens and ceiling in vestibule | | 1946 | | Alterations and additions | War memorial chapel furnishings and extensive alterations to sanctuary for State service at which HM the Queen received the Crown of Scotland | | 1977 | 1980 | Restoration | | | 1981 | 1982 | Build/construction | Stone staircase at end of S aisle | | 1984 | 1989 | Restoration | General restoration and re-ordering of interior, including new central holy table and pews. |
PeopleDesign and ConstructionThe 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. | | Name | Role | Partnership Group | From | To | Notes | | John Mylne junior | | A | 1648 | | Repair of crown spire | | James Craig | | Z | 1777 | 1781 | Various 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.). | | Robert Burn | | Y | 1796 | 1797 | Alterations - mason work | | Archibald Elliot | | K | 1818 | | Proposals to remove the shops along the south side of the Cathedral. Complete 'reparation' of the Cathedral proposed. | | John Chalmers | | O | 1821 | | Drew up plans and elevations. | | William Burn | | X | 1829 | 1833 | Reconstruction of exterior | | Thomas Brown I | | | 1842 | | Refitting of the nave as St Giles West Parish Church | | Robert Morham | | | 1867 | | Original sketch scheme for restoration | | H M Office of Works (later Ministry of Works, Department of the Environment and Property Services Agency) | | B | 1868 | | 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) | | Robert Matheson | | B | 1868 | | 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) | | William Hay | | | 1871 | 1874 | Restoration of choir (included designs of statuettes on reredos) | | George Henderson | | C | 1878 | | Restoration of south transept | | Hay & Henderson | | C | 1878 | | Restoration of south transept | | William Hay | | C | 1878 | | Restoration of south transept | | George Henderson | | D | 1881 | | Restoration of nave and north transept. . | | Hay & Henderson | | D | 1881 | | Restoration of nave and north transept. | | William Hay | | D | 1881 | | Restoration of nave and north transept | | George Henderson | | E | 1883 | | Vestry, session house, west door, north door, screen in north transept | | Hay & Henderson | | E | 1883 | | Vestry, session house, west door, north door, screen in north transept | | William Hay | | E | 1883 | | Vestry, session house, west door, north door, screen in north transept | | George Henderson | | F | 1884 | | Royal Pew | | Hay & Henderson | | F | 1884 | | Royal Pew | | William Hay | | F | 1884 | | Royal Pew | | David MacGibbon | | G | 1889 | | Memorial chapel to Dr Chambers | | MacGibbon & Ross | | G | 1889 | | Memorial chapel to Dr Chambers | | Thomas Ross | | G | 1889 | | Memorial chapel to Dr Chambers | | David MacGibbon | | H | 1889 | 1891 | Tracery in window of St John's Chapel | | MacGibbon & Ross | | H | 1889 | 1891 | Tracery in window of St John's Chapel | | Thomas Ross | | H | 1889 | 1891 | Tracery in window of St John's Chapel | | David MacGibbon | | I | 1891 | | Ladies' vestry in choir | | MacGibbon & Ross | | I | 1891 | | Ladies' vestry in choir | | Thomas Ross | | I | 1891 | | Ladies' vestry in choir | | Joseph Marr Johnston | | | After 1900 | Before 1911 | Organ case | | (Sir) Robert Stodart Lorimer | | J | c. 1907 | c. 1912 | Pendulum room in tower | | (Sir) Robert Stodart Lorimer | | K | 1910 | | | | (Sir) Robert Stodart Lorimer | | L | c. 1912 | c. 1930 | Furniture, screen etc. for Albany Aisle and Chambers Aisle | | (Sir) Robert Stodart Lorimer | | M | c. 1927 | 1929 | New vestries - apparently finished posthumously | | John Fraser Matthew | | M | c. 1927 | c. 1931 | New vestries | | Lorimer & Matthew | | M | c. 1927 | c. 1931 | New vestries | | Lorimer & Matthew | | L | 1929 | c. 1930 | Furniture, screen etc. for Albany Aisle and Chambers Aisle | | John Fraser Matthew | | N | November 1930 | March 1931 | Sir John Findlay Memorial Screen, Dean's Chair/minister's chair, and kneeler for Moray Aisle | | Lorimer & Matthew | | N | November 1930 | March 1931 | Sir John Findlay Memorial Screen, Dean's Chair/minister's chair, and kneeler for Moray Aisle | | Reginald Francis Joseph Fairlie | | | 1935 | | Elders' chairs | | Alexander Esmé Gordon (or Esmé Gordon) | | O | 1939 | 1940 | New organ case | | James Robertson | | O | 1939 | 1940 | New organ case | | Robertson & Gordon | | O | 1939 | 1940 | New organ case | | Alexander Esmé Gordon (or Esmé Gordon) | | U | 1940 | | Open screens and ceiling in vestibule | | Alexander Esmé Gordon (or Esmé Gordon) | | W | 1946 | | War memorial chapel furnishings and extensive alterations to sanctuary for State service at which HM the Queen received the Crown of Scotland | | Gordon & Dey | | W | 1946 | | War memorial chapel furnishings and extensive alterations to sanctuary for State service at which HM the Queen received the Crown of Scotland | | William Gordon Dey | | W | 1946 | | War memorial chapel furnishings and extensive alterations to sanctuary for State service at which HM the Queen received the Crown of Scotland | | Andrew Stewart Brown | | A | 1977 | 1980 | Restoration | | James Walter Thorburn Simpson | | A | 1977 | 1980 | Restoration | | Simpson & Brown | | A | 1977 | 1980 | Restoration | | Andrew Stewart Brown | | T | 1981 | 1982 | Stone staircase at end of S aisle | | Bernard Feilden, Simpson & Brown | | T | 1981 | 1982 | Stone staircase at end of S aisle | | Bernard Melchior Feilden (Sir) | | T | 1981 | 1982 | Stone staircase at end of S aisle | | James Walter Thorburn Simpson | | T | 1981 | 1982 | Stone staircase at end of S aisle | | Simpson & Brown | | A | 1984 | 1989 | General restoration and re-ordering of interior, including new central holy table and pews. | | Andrew Stewart Brown | | S | 1984 | 1989 | General restoration and re-ordering of interior, including new central holy table and pews. | | Bernard Feilden, Simpson & Brown | | S | 1984 | | General restoration and re-ordering of interior | | Bernard Melchior Feilden (Sir) | | S | 1984 | 1989 | General restoration and re-ordering of interior. As consultant? | | James Walter Thorburn Simpson | | S | 1984 | 1989 | General restoration and re-ordering of interior, including new central holy table and pews. | | Campbell & Arnott | | Y | c. 2000 | 2003 | Design of new organ | | Douglas Philip Jarvie Laird | | Y | c. 2000 | 2003 | Design of new organ |
ClientsThe following individuals or organisations have commissioned work on this building/design: | | Name | Notes | | Chambers, Lord Provost William | Client for original 1867 restoration scheme |
Related Buildings, Structures and DesignsChild StructuresThis structure or site has the following component or child structures (click on an item to view details): | | Building Name | Notes | | St Giles Cathedral, 5th Battalion Royal Scots First World War Memorial | With 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. | | St Giles Cathedral, 94th (City of Edinburgh) HAA Regiment 2nd World War memorial | | | St Giles Cathedral, Albany Chapel, memorial to the 416th Field Company of Royal Engineers | Sculptor Mr Fanindra Rose and enamels by Miss Kirkwood. | | St Giles Cathedral, Archibald Marquess of Argyle Monument | | | St Giles Cathedral, Chapel of the Order of the Thistle | Final 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. | | St Giles Cathedral, Dempster Memorial | | | St Giles Cathedral, Finlay Memorial | | | St Giles Cathedral, General Sir John Ewart Memorial | | | St Giles Cathedral, Lord Justice General Inglis Memorial | | | St Giles Cathedral, Marquess of Montrose Monument | | | St Giles Cathedral, Memorial to Alastair Hunter MacFarlane | Now in storage | | St Giles Cathedral, Memorial to the 15th Royal Scots Battalion | | | St Giles Cathedral, Memorial to the 17th Royal Scots Battalion | | | St Giles Cathedral, Monument to Chalmers | This may refer to the monument to Thomas Chambers - tablet with portrait by Pilkington Jackson. | | St Giles Cathedral, Monument to George Lorimer | | | St Giles Cathedral, Monument to John Stuart Blackie | Stone panel with portrait, in south aisle. | | St Giles Cathedral, Monument to Rev Robert Nisbet | | | St Giles Cathedral, Ogilvie Memorial | | | St Giles Cathedral, organ | | | St Giles Cathedral, R S Lorimer Memorial | Robert Blackwood surveyor worked in conjunction with Railton. | | St Giles Cathedral, Royal Army Medical Corps Memorial | | | St Giles Cathedral, Royal Scots Boer Memorial | Memorial is signed. | | St Giles Cathedral, Royal Scots Ist World War Memorial | With Pilkington Jackson, sculptor. Memorial for 4th and 16th Royal Scots | | St Giles Cathedral, Scottish Ministers War Memorial | | | St Giles Cathedral, screen and reredos | In south aisle of nave. Later removed to north side of crossing. Now in RMS | | St Giles Cathedral, Shrine of Youth | | | St Giles Cathedral, War Memorial to 6th Royal Scots | |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this building: | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Colvin, Howard | 2008 | A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 | | London: YUP. 4th edition | | | Cruft, K and Fraser, A (ed) | 1995 | James Craig 1744-1795 | | | p110-112. Gives full details of documents relating to Craig work. | | Gifford, John, McWilliam, Colin and Walker, David M | 1984 | Edinburgh (The Buildings of Scotland) | | Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd | pp106-116 | | Glendinning, M, MacInnes, R and MacKechnie, A | 1996 | A History of Scottish Architecture | | | p595 | | History of the King's Works | | | | | v6 p254 | | Lees, J Cameron | 1889 | St Giles' Edinburgh | | | p402 | | Mylne, R S | | The Master Masons to the Crown of Scotland | | | p144 | | Nuttgens, Patrick | 1959 | Reginald Fairlie 1883-1952: A Scottish Architect | | Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd | p47 | | RSA | 1868 | | | | 160 (for 1868 proposed work) | | RSA | 1880 | | | | 976 | | RSA | 1883 | | | | 995 | | RSA | 1940 | | | | 56 (organ case) | | Simpson & Brown | 2012 | Simpson & Brown Architects:Thirty-five years in practice 1977-2012 | | | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this building: | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | British Architect | 1891 | | | Check date | | Builder | 29 March 1873 | XXXI | | p250 | | Builder | 25 April 1874 | XXXII | | p350 | | Builder | 30 May 1874 | XXXII | | p455 CHECK | | Builder | 22 February 1879 | XXXVII | | p211 | | Builder | Late 1880 | XXXIX | | p34 CHECK | | Builder | 1890 | LVIII or LIX | | Check date | | Builder | 5 August 1893 | LXV | | | | Building News | 1889 | | | Check date | | Peterhead Sentinel | Between 1 June 1888 and 8 | | | | | Scots Magazine | 1 September 1818 | | | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this building: | | Source | Archive name | Source catalogue no. | Notes | | Edinburgh City Archives | Edinburgh Town Council Minutes | 1780/02/23 | For later scheme by Craig. | | Historic Environment Scotland | Listed Buildings Register | 27381 | | | National Archives of Scotland (formerly SRO) | Register House Plans | | No numbers given in HS List. Plans of 1871 by William Hay | | National Archives of Scotland (formerly SRO) | Register House Plans | RHP 6512/8-12 | | | National Library of Scotland | Manuscript Collection | MS 502, 1-8 | Earlier scheme for Craig work on St Giles (1777) | | National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMS | Drawings Collection | | Organ case for new organ by Henry Willis, designed by Esme Gordon. Now destroyed. Wooden model survives in NMRS Acc No 1999/107 | | National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMS | Hay and Henderson Collection | | HH10/1 (north screen); HH1/39-40 | | National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMS | Lorimer and Matthew Collection | | LOR E/114/1, LOR E/116, LOR E/353, LOR E/362 | | National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMS | NMRS Architects Index | | | | Public Record Office | Office of Works Records | MPD 193 | | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA 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) |
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