Churches and Cathedrals in Balado

"The Canongate Kirk is a relatively simple building at the bottom of the Royal Mile. The church has many royal connections: in 1952, recently crowned Queen Elizabeth II was the first reigning monarch to visit while her granddaughter, Zara Philips, married here in 2011. Take a look at the coats of arms on the front two pews - these are the Royal Pew and the Castle Pew, reserved for visitors from the Royal family or Edinburgh Castle."

"In 1688 King James VII of Scotland (also King James II of England) ordered the construction of the Kirk of the Canongate and it was completed in 1691. Residents nearby had been using the Abbey Church but the King wanted to us that as a Chapel for the Order of the Thistle. The Kirk is architecturally unusual for Scotland with a Dutch-style end gable and a cruciform layout inside."

"If you’ve already seen St Giles’, you will notice that Canongate is designed in a very different style, much simpler and more austere, tipically Presbyterian."

"Located at the foot of Edinburgh Castle, St Cuthbert’s Parish Church is the spire you can see poking through the Edinburgh skyline whenever you see panoramic pictures of Edinburgh Castle itself. Expect to hear the Church’s ten bells on Sunday mornings and see beautiful wall paintings, stained glass windows and an organ built in 1899. Child friendly: yes, but no particular activities are available for them on a regular basis Address: St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, 5 Lothian Road, Edinburgh EH1 2EP Opening hours for visitors: Tue to Thu 10am – 3pm More information here."

"Address: Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH1 2EP, Scotland, UK Tel: +44 (0)131 229 1142 St. Cuthbert's stands alongside the West Princes Street Gardens and just up from the Royal Lyceum Theatre, where it was built on the remains of six previous historic churches. Visitors will be able to admire a stunning marble pulpit, colourful stained-glass windows, war memorials and an Italian Renaissance-style interior."

"Address: 28 Manor Place / Palmerston Place, Edinburgh, EH12 5AW, Scotland, UK Tel: +44 (0)131 225 6293 Designed by George Gilbert Scott, the Cathedral Church of St. Mary the Virgin is located on the western side of the city centre. Construction of the cathedral began in 1874 and whilst the nave was opened just five years later, the twin spires on its western side were not actually completed until 1917. Highlights include impressive neo-Gothic architecture, well-preserved stained-glass windows, murals and an outstanding art collection, as well as daily choral services."

"St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral is a short walk from Princes Street towards Haymarket. Its spires are visible from most places in Edinburgh, especially looking west from Princes Street. Not only does this cathedral offer a place of stillness in the bustling Scottish capital, there are also opportunities such as learning to be a stonemason in the Cathedral Workshop or a Cathedral Chorister at St Mary’s Music School."

"The neo-Gothic St. Mary's Cathedral is a striking building set in large grounds. Designed by George Gilbert Scott, it was consecrated in 1879. St. Mary's is the largest ecclesiastical building to be built in Scotland since the Reformation."

"Address: 61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD, Scotland, UK Tel: +44 (0)131 556 1798 This popular Roman Catholic church dates back to 1814, being designed by James Gillespie Graham. Each month on the third Tuesday, look out for the organ and choir recitals. The adjacent Cafe Camino provides a rather tempting menu, offering bacon sandwiches, freshly made soup, lunchboxes for children, a choice of beverages (including coffee, tea, wine, beer and cider) and tubs of locally produced ice cream."

"St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, originally called the Chapel of St Mary’s, held its first masses in August 1814. The Cathedral houses the National Shrine of St Andrew, Scotland’s patron saint, and even has an underground passage leading to a priest’s house in York Place. It wasn’t until the 1970s that passers by could see the Cathedral in its full splendor when tenements in front of the building were demolished."

"Also dating back to the 1800s, Old St Paul’s has since been renovated multiple times – the nave extended and the chancel floor raised with marble. Nearly all of the many panes of stained glass, ornaments and vestments were made possible by fundraising or donations. Unusually, the gargoyles at Old St Paul’s are located inside, not on the exterior of the church as is common on buildings of this period."

"Address: East London Street, Edinburgh, EH7 4BL, Scotland, UK Mansfield Place Church is to be found within the New Town area, standing close to the bus depot and the King George V Park. Built in 1872 by Robert Rowand Anderson, this old church has had many uses over the years and once even functioned as a nightclub. Today, it is owned by the Mansfield Traquair Trust, a conservation group who have actively restored the building over a number of years."

"Ten Hill Place Hotel is one of Edinburgh’s premier city centre hotels just 0. 5 miles from Edinburgh Waverley Rail Station. Opened in 2006, this 4-star modern hotel is situated in a quiet Georgian square, still within walking distance of all the city’s main attractions - 5 minutes’ walk from the Royal Mile, the focal point of the annual Edinburgh Festival and Edinburgh’s main shopping area of Princes Street, overlooked by the iconic Edinburgh Castle, only a 15 minute walk away."

"Back by popular demand, the Village Festival summer popup will return to its Waverley location across the road from Princes Street Gardens. Expect drinks, food traders and live music on bustling Princes Street. For latest updates, check out the Facebook page."

"Located in the village-like suburb of Edinburgh, Bruntsfield, the Black Ivy is a stylish neighbourhood bar and restaurant. Their Drafthouse specialises in crisp tank beer, creative cocktails, and from the kitchen you can expect comfort food with the occasional twist and more-ish bar bites to pair with your pint. If you fancy soaking up the sun they also have a sunny terrace, perfect for morning coffee, evening drinks or even toasting marshmallows over the fire pit."

"What: Black Ivy’s stunning location on the edge of the Bruntsfield Links is appealing enough as it is, but when you add in the fact that the bar and restaurant also has a gorgeous terrace, coming here for dinner becomes a no-brainer. Al fresco dining and drinking isn’t just limited to the summer at The Black Ivy either, as there are heaters and canopies on hand to keep you good and toasty.Where: 4 Alvanley Terrace, EH9 1DU"

"To be honest- any restaurant covered in foliage with a bohemian vibe is my kind of place!. Black Ivy is actually a self-described ‘local luxury’ hotel located in Bruntsfield that has a wonderful restaurant for brunch, lunch or dinner. It is especially bonnie at Christmas time when it is covered in Christmas decorations."

"Chizuru Tei is popular for its delicious selection of bento boxes to carry out. You can also eat in at their friendly and welcoming Haymarket restaurant. Either way, you'll fine some fresh and tasty sushi here."

"Tabla is one of the best Indian restaurants in the whole of central Scotland, its bustling, modern dining room catering to a loyal clientele of locals tucking into authentic dishes such as andhra wada (lentil..."

"Pitching itself as Perths only authentic Indian restaurant, Tabla is centrally situated on South Street, only a short meander from the River Tay."