St John the Evangelist Church

When St John's was built between 1816 – 18, there was a Gothic revival going on and architect William Burn really packed in the 'faux medieval' features with tall spires, pointed arches and an astoundingly elaborate vaulted ceiling.

The stained glass windows are worth a visit alone. They are amongst the vivid, most dramatic you will see anywhere. The majority are the work of James Ballantine.

A visit to St John's is not complete without visiting the Terrace where you will find Henderson's vegetarian restaurant, One World fair trade shop and the Cornerstone Bookshop residing in the vaults.

(While you're here, you might want to visit neighbouring St Cuthbert Church – although next to each other, they are in different postcode areas). 

Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4BJ

0131 229 7565

office@stjohns-edinburgh.org.uk

http://stjohns-edinburgh.org.uk

@ChurchofStJohn

 

St Cuthbert's Kirk & Kirkyard

St Cuthbert's Kirk is thought to be the oldest site of worship in Edinburgh. Although the present building only dates from 1894, the current church is the seventh building on this spot since St Cuthbert first came to Edinburgh around 1300 years ago.

The oldest gravestone is that of Rev Robert Pont, who died in 1606. By 1738, grave robbing was a frequent occurrence (and continued for another 100 years until the law changed to allow the donation of bodies to medical science) so walls were made higher, nightly patrols were made and burials began to be recorded.

The kirk is open to the public April to September 10-4 (Mon-Saturday) where, amongst many other treasures, you can see a Tiffany stained glass window, the ornate apse and frieze of the Last Supper. Agatha Christie married her second husband Max Mallowan in the side chapel here in 1930. Visitors are actively encouraged and the friendly volunteers are happy to answer questions.

(While you're here, you might want to visit neighbouring St John' the Evangelist Church – although next to each other, they are in different postcode areas).

A path in the kirkyard leads to Princes Street Gardens West.

5 Lothian Rd, Edinburgh EH1 2EP

0131 229 1142

friends@st-cuthberts.net

st-cuthberts.net

Magdalene Chapel

Built between 1541 and 1547, Magdalene Chapel is the headquarters of the Scottish Reformation Society and contains the only surviving intact pre-Reformation stained-glass window in Scotland.

0131 220 1450

info@scottishreformationsociety.org

Also of interest are the 'brods' (receipts for donations received) which line the walls like a latter day supporters' wall.

The Chapel is open to visitors, usually on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10.30-2.30, however you are advised to check first.

Debenhams

111-112 Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3AA

0844 561 6161

debenhams.com

@debenhams

Prior to being the flagship store of the retail giant, this Grade B listed building was a theatre and cafe and, originally, the home of the Scottish Conservative Club. It still contains a beautiful curved staircase and three stained glass windows, dedicated to the memory of Benjamin Disraeli, which were constructed in 1884 and are the work of James Ballantine & Son (whose work can be seen in Greyfriars Kirk (1 Greyfriars, Edinburgh EH1 2QQ), St John the Evangelist Church (Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4BJ) and St. Giles Cathedral, as well as the House of Lords).

Hidden incongruously amongst the ladieswear on the first floor, is the oak panelled Victorian library featuring antique books and a bust of Gladstone - a remnant of the Liberal Club which also used to be on this site.