Thistle Chapel, Royal chapel in St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland
The Thistle Chapel features stone vaults with intricate ribs, carved bosses, and stained glass windows displaying heraldic designs and figurative patterns.
Commissioned in 1906 after a donation from the Earl of Leven's sons, architect Robert Lorimer completed the Gothic-style chapel in 1911.
The chapel serves as the ceremonial home for the Order of the Thistle, where sixteen knights gather annually to continue Scottish chivalric traditions.
Visitors can access the chapel through a low-vaulted vestibule at the east end of the Preston aisle within St Giles' Cathedral.
The chapel's decorative elements include carved angels playing bagpipes and individual stalls adorned with the knights' personal crests and helms.
Location: City of Edinburgh
Part of: St Giles' Cathedral
GPS coordinates: 55.94944,-3.19083
Latest update: March 6, 2025 20:07
St Giles' Cathedral
0 m
Court of Session
50 m
Heart of Midlothian
47 m
National Library of Scotland
100 m
Parliament House
35 m
Mercat Cross
43 m
The Real Mary King's Close
63 m
Edinburgh City Chambers
99 m
Advocates Library
76 m
Justiciary Building
115 m
Lothian Chambers
88 m
Edinburgh, West Parliament Square, Statue Of Fifth Duke Of Buccleuch
57 m
Alexander and Bucephalus
81 m
David Hume Memorial
101 m
Equestrian statue of Charles II
31 m
Edinburgh, 2-8 Parliament Square, High Court Of Justiciary And Court Of Session
49 m
Signet Library
58 m
Edinburgh, 94 - 116 Cowgate, Society Of Solicitors' Library
107 m
Parliament Hall, Edinburgh
52 m
Edinburgh, High Street, Parliament Square, Well
84 m
Statue of Margaret Tudor
28 m
Edinburgh, 174 - 180 High Street
92 m
National Library of Scotland building
100 m
Edinburgh, 186 High Street
85 m
Edinburgh, High Street, 3 K6 Telephone Kiosks
116 m
Edinburgh, 22-26 St Giles Street
109 m
Edinburgh, 6 Cockburn Street
121 m
Edinburgh, St Giles' Street, Telephone Call Box
125 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes