Churches and Cathedrals in West Linton

"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."

"The modest Canongate Kirk was built in 1688 and completed three years later. It was founded for the residents of Canongate that had previously worshipped in the Abbey Church, until King James II converted the Church into a Chapel for the Order of the Thistle. Since the church is very bare, with practically no statues or paintings, the most eye-catching aspect of the temple is its blue benches on a maroon coloured carpet."

"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."

"Many years may have passed since Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code and the subsequent film came out, but floods of visitors still descend on Scotland's most beautiful and enigmatic church – Rosslyn Chapel. Built in the mid-15th century for Sir William St Clair, third prince of Orkney, its ornately carved interior – at odds with the architectural fashion of its time – is a monument to the mason's art, rich in symbolic imagery. Hourly talks by qualified guides are included with admission."

"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."

"You'll find an interesting and eclectic menu on at Treacle on Broughton Street. Sandwiches, burgers, pies, and noodles, alongside sharing platters and small snacks, ensure that there's always something on offer to satisfy your craving. There are some irresistible desserts to finish off and the drinks menu includes a stunning array of delectable cocktails."

"Treacle sits handily located on Broughton Street, close to the Playhouse Theatre, Vue Cinema and Princes Street shopping. It is a relaxed, quirky bar offering Asian inspired pub food. So, it’s a bit different from your average Scottish pub fare."

"There are three different private dining rooms at Otro, which can be hired separately or together to create plenty of space for family and friends. The team here have event managers too, which means there’s a handily helpful process in place already to see you through your planning. Dishes on the set menus can be tailored to your preference and/ or budget but as an idea of style dishes that are menu mainstays are chicken liver parfait with chutney and toasted sourdough, and roasted sea bass with chickpea and chorizo stew and salsa verde."

"Sadly, the tea was made with powder which results in a negative review. I asked the boba-barista (lol, I just made up a word) to make my drink with 25% sweetness, but he was unable to adjust the level of sweetness. The drink was a little too sweet for my taste."

"Plant-based, vegan, dairy free: Considerit ticks all the boxes. Grab an iced cinnamon bun or gorgeously gooey Oreo or Biscoff doughnut plus an oat milk latte or vegan ice cream milkshake at this low-key bakery and cafe (all chipboard benches and student vibe) on Edinburgh’s Southside. Before you leave, stock up on their hand-crafted chocolate bars (popcorn, chai spice and smoked sea salt flavours)."

"Located near the Meadows, Considerit is a relatively new addition to Edinburgh’s exciting foodie scene. If you’re vegan or lactose intolerant, this is one for you as Considerit believe in a plant-based future and therefore all their sweet treats are free from animal products!. Also, their doughnuts, chocolate, and ice cream are all hand crafted on a daily basis."

"Considerit is a must-visit for all the vegan sweet-tooths out there!. This place specialises in decadent chocolate, doughnuts and, in the warmer(?) weather, ice cream. Whether you are vegan or not, you are going to love the baked delights here at Considerit."

"It's by the sea – Newhaven Harbour is across the street – the interior looks like a well-appointed surf shack and it has ceviche, chowder, lobster, mussels and oysters on the menu. Meanwhile the specials board could bring scallops with black pudding, sea bream with potatoes, samphire and potted shrimp, and other simple, fresh dishes. Given the owners are Thai – and the premises used to house a Thai restaurant – there may be even be some Asian-inflected options at times."

"If you can't agree on whether to go for a seafood meal or get a nice juicy steak then this is the perfect compromise. You'll find a tempting menu for lunch and dinner that includes all manner of seafood, including pots of irresistible mussels, and matured Scotch beef steaks. It's conveniently located in the popular Grassmarket area, which is always bustling and vibrant."

"If you needed a reminder that you’re not far from the sea in Edinburgh, The Mussel and Steak Bar will serve it to you. This feels like a seafront restaurant, and though it might appear to be no-frills, the food here is incredible. If you like seafood, a bowl of rope-grown Scottish mussels with a glass of crisp, cold white wine is just about perfection."

"Smart, understated decor sets the scene for the thoughtfully prepared and well-presented seafood dishes on the menu here. You'll find a wide range of fresh seafood and an extensive champagne and wine list. The reasonable prices and generous portions served from the lunch menu are popular among diners."

"Set right on the waterfront in Leith, The Ship, with its black painted wooden tables outside, looks like a handsome pub. Step inside, though, and it's clear that this is more like a serious wine bar and restaurant. With a dedicated crustacea and molluscs menu, The Ship makes its focus clear: seafood."