Edinburgh
Walkers may wish to use Cameron Black’s comprehensive guide, titled ‘The Saint Andrew’s Way’. Routes for car and cycle are described following each section below. For those not following Cameron’s route suggestions for shorter walks are given.
By Public Transport
To check times go to Traveline Scotland and click on Plan your Journey on left side of page.
Journey Links
Margaret remains in the centre of Edinburgh’s sacred places. At the highest point of the Castle stands St Margaret’s Chapel. In the midst of the panoply of war and military might this is a pearl of pure devotion. The Chapel was probably built by Margaret’s son David on the site of his mother’s place of prayer. From the Castle you can follow a Royal Pilgrim Way to Holyrood Abbey which David founded in honour of his mother’s ebony cross- the haly rude. Beyond the Abbey and the new Scottish Paliament is St Margaret’s Well in Holyrood Park. The well housing was originally part of St Triduana’s Well at Restalrig. The area is full of natural springs leading to a major brewing industry here, begun by the monks.
En route on the Royal Mile are a series of important churches including St Giles Cathedral, Old St Paul’s Episcopal Church, St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, and the Kirk of the Canongate, which was built as a successor to Holyrood Abbey Church, when James VII and II wished to convert it into his Chapel Royal. The Abbey Chuch itself is now an evocative ruin in the grounds of Holyroodhouse Palace, but beyond the east and west ends of Princes Street are St Mary’s Roman Catholic and St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedrals both of which continue St Margaret’s traditions. Margaret’s inspiration is carried forward through worship but also through education and social action.
Many in Scotland continue to ask for the grace and humility to follow in Margaret’s Way of prayer and compassionate action.