Canongate Kirk

General information

Canongate Kirk is a Presbyterian church and a member of the Church of Scotland, serving the parish of Canongate in Edinburgh's Old Town district. The parish includes The Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament. HM Queen Elizabeth attends Canongate Kirk from time to time when she is in residence at The Palace of Holyroodhouse. It is also the parish church for Edinburgh Castle and has strong military connections. The church was founded in 1688 and finished being built in 1691 on the order of King James VII. Canongate Kirkyard is the resting place of many Edinburgh notables including Adam Smith the economist, Robert Fergusson the poet, whose bronze statue stands outside the gate, and 'Clarinda', Robert Burns' muse and friend whose real name was Agnes Maclehose. The current minister is the Rev Neil Gardner. Sunday services include a family service at 10am and Parish Worship at 11.15am. All are welcome. During the summer months Canongate Kirk is open to visitors most days and there are free tours of the kirk and kirkyard.