While in Scotland last April, we visited three of its historical holy sites. Saint Giles Cathedral, Iona Abbey, and Rosslyn Chapel. Saint Giles is one of the most magnificent churches I’ve ever visited. As I watched on the tele, the vigil of Queen Elizabeth’s casket at Saint Giles, I found myself transported back into that glorious sacred space. For more information on all three of these sites, visit the Historic Scotland website.
Saint Giles Cathedral, the High Kirk of Scotland (Presbyterian) in Edinburgh. Founded in 1124 by Kind David I, it was Catholic until the Protestant Reformation in 1560. Protestant reform leader, John Knox, preached at Saint Giles. Saint Giles is known as the patron saint of beggars, the disabled, depression, cancer and madness. He is commonly depicted with a deer or an arrow. Sept 1 is Saint Giles Feast Day.
Click on any image in each collection for Gallery View.
- 01 St Giles Nave 4114 web
- 02 St Giles Nave Ceiling 4067 web
- 03 St Giles One of Many Windows 4073 web
- 04 St Giles Blue Window 4065 web
- 05 St Giles Pipe Organ 4086 web
- 06 St Giles Pipe Organ 4087 web
- 07 St Giles Prayer Candles 4092 web
- 08 St Giles Iron work 4107 web
- 09 St Giles Scottish Seal 4103 web
- 10 St Giles Thistle Chapel 4359 web
Iona Abbey, Isle of Iona, Scotland. (Ecumenical Christian) Founded in 563 by Saint Columba of Ireland, it is said that he brought Christianity to Scotland, and that the Book of Kells was written here. Construction of the Benedictine Abbey was started in the early 1200s and probably completed around the 1450. All but two of the cloister walkway columns have been rebuilt and carved by a sculptor over 30 years from 1967-1997. The sculpture in the cloister center garden is The Descent of the Spirit, by Lithuanian Jewish artist, Jacques Lipchitz. Columba is the Patron Saint of Derry. June 9 is Saint Columba’s Feast Day.
- 01 Replica of St Johns Cross 3879 web
- 02 St Orans Chapel 3880 web
- 03 Looking East 3838 web
- 04 Looking West toward the Entry 3843 web
- 05 St Columba Window 3849 web
- 06 Impromptu Altar 3844 web
- 07 Offering Table 3848 web
- 08 Cloister Walkway 3851 web
- 09 Descent of the Spirit 3856 web
- 10 Column Reconstruction 3875 web
Rosslyn Chapel, Rosslyn, Scotland just south of Edinburgh. (Episcopalian) William St Claire, 3rd and last Prince of Orkney began building it in 1446. It features a stone block ceiling with a keystone, that if removed the whole thing would tumble down. There are many intricate and unique carvings throughout the interior and exterior, highlighting the talents of the stone masons if its time. The soft sandstone, however, doesn’t weather well, and it required a metal cap to save the roof damaged by moisture. Rosslyn Chapel was the site of the last scene in the movie, The DaVinci Code, bringing it to modern prominence and helping to raise money for repair and a visitors center.
- 01 Rosslyn Chapel 4179 web
- 02 Rosslyn Chapel Ceiling Keystone 4183 web
- 03 Rosslyn Chapel 4180 web
- 04 Rosslyn Chapel Apprentices Column 4184 web
- 05 Rosslyn Sacristy 4200 web
- 06 Rosslyn Chapel 4185 web
- 07 Rosslyn Window 4222 web
- 08 Rosslyn Organ Pipes 4215 web
- 09 Rosslyn Devil Carving 4217 web
- 10 Rosslyn Exterior Window Detail 4239 web
Really lovely images Lisa, Mahalo for sharing! What a holy trip you had!