On this site there has been a place of worship for 900 years. John Knox served here as Minister in the post-reformation years. There are memorials to many important people in Scotland’s history. It has been the setting for important state occasions. The late Queen Elizabeth lay in state here.In the sanctuary, the present King received the Honours of Scotland. Here the Order of the Thistle has its chapel, in which new knights will be installed this summer. The banners of the Knights of the Thistle hang in the Preston Aisle.

The Doors Open Day will offer a unique conducted tour by a Knight of the Thistle, who will give a talk about this ancient order of chivalry, starting with the banners in the Preston Aisle and continuing into the Thistle Chapel. The tour will be offered at 10:45,11:45 and 13:45. It will be restricted to 15 people each time, so booking will be essential.

Visit the organ and see everything close-up; small groups of 8 people will be able to visit the organ loft and be introduced to the mysteries of the instrument.  Tours at 11:15, 12:15, 13:15 and 14:15.  Booking is essential.  It will also be possible to see and hear the tour via video link for those who are not able to obtain tickets.

St Giles’ is of course more than an ancient building. It is a living parish church with a congregation of some 400 people. The Doors Open Day will give opportunity to see some of the work that is done here, week by week. As at any other weekend, for example, the flower arrangers will be involved in their dedicated work in preparation for the Sunday services.

There will be opportunity to meet in the sanctuary the Banner Guild whose devoted work has created banners to hang on the four central pillars, a different set of banners for each of the seasons of the church year. A selection of these banners will be displayed, including a new set of banners commemorating the 900th anniversary.

Corporately, St Giles’ has always tried to help people in need: for this reason, we have included in the Doors Open Day some of the charities through whose agency we try to help. In the west end of the church, representatives of these charities will have their stations, telling visitors about their work.