Churches
Old St Mungo’s Church, Penicuik
Almost hidden behind the current St Mungo’s Church stands the ruins of the old, original church of the same name. It is surrounded by the most tranquil churchyard I have ever had the pleasure to explore – and I spotted a little deer on the other side of the fence too! 🥰 History…
Read MoreSt Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh
From a Leper Hospital to violent riots to today’s popular visitor attraction, St Giles’ Cathedral on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile covers it all. Steeped in rich history and magnificent architecture, St Giles’ is a must-see for every heritage tourist. In The Beginning It is believed that the site where St Giles is located…
Read MoreYork Minster Chapter House
Friday the 13th has always been deemed unlucky. Well, certainly since October 1307. On this day – Friday 13 October 1307 – all members of the Knights Templar in France were arrested and subsequently condemned to death. This was the beginning of a Europe-wide persecution of the Order of the Knights Templar. This…
Read MoreSt Mary the Virgin Church, Ponteland
Standing solidly on the bank of the River Pont in Northumberland is the ancient church of St Mary the Virgin. A church has stood here for ages, giving comfort and protection to the community. From Saxon times, through the wars with the Scots to the present day, St Mary’s has been (and still is)…
Read MoreIona Abbey, Scotland
Millions of people have been travelling to Iona Abbey over the past 1400 years. Many would have walked along Sraid Nam Marbh (the Street of the Dead), past the high crosses, to the holy-of-holies, St Columba’s shrine. It is here, to the Benedictine Abbey, that I have come to join the many who…
Read MoreGala Aisle, Scotland
The first parish kirk in Galashiels stood on a site just south of the Old Town Cross, along Church Street. It was built in 1617 and used as the only parish church in the town until 1813. This church was originally oblong in shape with a gallery around three sides. The centre of…
Read MoreSt Cuthbert’s Church, York
As part of my research into Anchoritism during the Middle Ages in the North of England, I ventured to the ancient city of York. This city offers a vast array of medieval buildings, and one can spend days exploring. My particular interest during this trip was the Parish Church of St Cuthbert’s, located…
Read MoreSt Oran’s Chapel, Isle of Iona
Local legend has it that St Oran’s Chapel is named after Oran, a faithful follower of St Columba. The story goes that St Columba created Reilig Odhrain (the burial ground) shortly after arriving on the Isle of Iona. The thing is, he needed a faithful Christian soul to be buried there as part of…
Read MoreSt Martin le Grand, York
Slightly hidden, just off Coney Street, is the ancient church of St Martin le Grand. Of course, the church is also known as St Martin Coney Street. Why it has two names, no one seems to know. What I do know is that the two names create serious confusion when one tries to research…
Read MoreFala and Soutra Church, Scotland
As is often the case when exploring, we stumbled across the little parish church of Fala and Soutra purely by chance. After looking around the site of Soutra Aisle, we were on our way home on the A68 when I spotted the church spire off to the right. We decided that there was enough…
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