Visiting the Cathedral

The Cathedral building and grounds are open almost every day for visiting, public services, and private prayer. Our opening hours are 8:00am-6:00pm Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm Saturday and Sunday. It is free to enter, and donations are gratefully received.

NB: from 26th December until 5th January inclusive, we are closed except for morning prayer (every day at 8am). Normal openings hours resume then.

Services times are available on our Services page. The Cathedral is fully wheelchair accessible; there is more information at Accessibility. We have more information too on the history of the building, and its design process.

We also have more information on hiring our spaces (for concerts and events, hiring our church hall, and using the Cathedral for your wedding).

Finding the Cathedral

St Mary's Cathedral is in the heart of Edinburgh's West End, under 5 minutes' walk from:

trains (Haymarket Station)
buses (West Maitland St/Atholl Cres/Chester St)
tram (West End)
and by bike (we are directly on the new City Centre West-East Link).

As an Eco-Congregation, we encourage everyone to leave the car at home if possible, and take one of these easy options!

Inside the Cathedral

Important details inside the Cathedral include Borthwick's The Presence, Lorimer's Rood Cross (Christ Crucified) and Paolozzi's Millenium Window.

Cathedral Nave

Cathedral Nave, during wedding

The Rose Window

Cathedral Nave

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The Cathedral Grounds

There is more information about the Cathedral grounds, and their ecological importance, here.

Old Coates House

This is the oldest house in Edinburgh. It was built between 1610 and 1615 by John Byres, and restored in 1830 by Sir Patrick Walker. Click for more information.

Cathedral from the south

A aerial view of the Cathedral

Old Coates House

This is the oldest house in Edinburgh. It was built between 1610 and 1615 by John Byres, and restored in 1830 by Sir Patrick Walker. Click for more information.

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The Song School

This is the small building to the North of Old Coates House to the north of the Cathedral. It was built in the 1880s for the Cathedral Choir’s daily rehearsals and it has been in use almost continuously since then. Its walls are decorated with stunning murals by Phoebe Anna Traquair which illustrate the biblical song known as the Benedicite after the Latin translation of its opening phrase, Benedicite, omnia opera Domini, Domino (O all ye Works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord).

Since it is used by the Choir for rehearsing every day, it is not open to the general public. However, it can be viewed by request, and occasional events (including weddings) are held there. More information is available at Song School.

St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh