Church Overview

Twelfth-century Duddingston Kirk is one of the oldest churches used for regular worship in Scotland. The present appearance follows alterations in the 17th and 18th centuries and a careful and respectful restoration by Robert Rowand Anderson in 1889. The interior shows the history of the building from the Norman arch, 17th century memorials to the 19th century stained glass windows by Duncan Strachan.

Windows include one to the Pinkerton family: Alan Pinkerton (1819-1884), born in Glasgow, founded the Pinkerton Detective Agency in America. The octagonal building at the entrance to the churchyard is a combined watch-tower (to guard against body-snatchers) and session house.

The artists JM Turner was a visitor and Minister John (Jock) Thomson was himself a notable landscape painter. Sir Walter Scott was an elder at Duddingston and is supposed to have sketched out his novel “Heart of Midlothian” in the manse garden. Duddingston Loch is the birthplace of the rules of curling.

Their Garden Room Café, which borders their historic graveyard and the hidden gem that is Dr Neil’s Garden, is open serving teas and coffees, cakes and light snacks, Thurs and Fridays 10am-4pm and Saturdays and Sundays 1pm-4pm.

Services

Sunday 10.00am and 11.30am; Wednesday 10.00am

Opening Arrangements

March to October Wed to Sun 10am-2pm or by arrangement

Disclaimer

The information about churches in Scotland’s Churches Scheme has been provided by the congregations or taken from the Historic Scotland list and published sources, in particular, the Buildings of Scotland volumes and the RIAS Illustrated Architectural Guides. To contact this specific church please complete the Contact this Church form above. The information is not authoritative; please contact Scotland’s Churches Trust to let us know of any errors or omissions.