Churches and Cathedrals in Harburn

"I suggest a late lunch after you explore the charming, cobbled streets of this historic area and experience some street performers, Canongate Kirkyard (Adam Smith is buried here), Dunbar Close, St. Giles Cathedral, and eventually Edinburgh Castle itself, all the way at the top of the Royal Mile (Be sure to book your Edinburgh Castle skip the line tickets in advance). The charm and beauty of Edinburgh, Scotland never cease to amaze me."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"Situated at the foot of the Castle and nestled amidst its churchyard and an abundance of greenery is St Cuthbert’s. It is widely believed that a church has been standing in this spot since 850 AD, making it technically Edinburgh’s oldest building. The architecture and decoration of the church is particularly ornate, which made it a source of some controversy when it was first designed."

"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."

"Scotland is not especially renowned for its culinary highlights. However, if you are staying in Edinburgh, you will be blessed with a very rich food scene extending much further than Haggis and fish and chips. As every major city, Edinburgh has a very broad and multicultural food scene."

"Lush have made a name for themselves with unique, handmade, ethically sourced health and beauty products. Now they have taken the next step an offer spa treatments from their Edinburgh store. Like their products, the treatments are unconventional and fresh and more specifically tailored to the individual than is the norm."

"If you love Lush or want to experience something different from your usual spa experience, Lush Spa is a must-try!. Each treatment therapist is highly knowledgeable and professional from the moment you meet them and will have a consultation with you before selecting the products for your treatment!"

"Village Hotel Edinburgh is located just 8 miles and 15 minutes drive time from Edinburgh Airport. It is just 2 miles from Edinburgh city centre and Haymarket railway and 3 miles from Edinburgh Waverley train station. Nearby attractions include Edinburgh Castle - Royal Yacht Britannia and Princes Street - a shopaholics dream location."

"My absolute favourite pub in Edinburgh – perfect if you’re a rock fan, and definitely something unique and different if you’re not. When I first visited this place, I couldn’t tell if it was gimmicky or awesome, but I’ve very much come to terms with the fact it’s the latter!. It’s pretty much a spooky themed pub set deep in the vaults of Southbridge."

"If the supernatural sends shivers up your spine, steer clear from The Banshee Labyrinth — it is said that this bar is one of the most haunted spots in Edinburgh. Chills aside, this pub is a grand spot for live bands, film screenings, and comedy too. Another popular haunt during the Fringe, The Banshee is more than booze and boogie monsters."

"Conveniently located on the Royal Mile, The Inn on the Mile occupies one of the city’s most prestigious historic landmarks, the British Linen Bank. The building’s heritage has been sensitively preserved while creating a homely boutique hotel that is welcoming and comfortable, with each of the nine bedrooms offering clean, contemporary interiors. A lockable safe, iPod dock, GHD hair straighteners, and a large flatscreen television are standard in all rooms, while delicious home cooked dishes that exploit the finest flavours of locally sourced ingredients are served fresh from the Inn on the Mile kitchen."

"Tucked along the Royal Mile, The Inn on the Mile offers a quaint honeymoon experience. A lot of local attractions, shops, bars and restaurants are a short walk away, but if you want to venture further out, Edinburgh Waverley station is only 5 minutes walk away. Warm guest rooms have flat-screens, well-stocked minibars, coffee makers and bathrooms with rainfall showerheads and free-standing hot tubs."

"Best for Partygoers In a nutshell Pub lovers, this Royal Mile hotel could be just the place you’re looking for. With nine modern bedrooms, The Inn on the Mile, as the name suggests, is also home to a lively pub and kitchen. Once the British Linen Bank, the eye-catching building with its ornate frontage still retains references to its banking past (like the pennies on the front of the bar)."