Duddingston Church, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Duddingston Kirk is a Parish Church, located adjacent to Holyrood Park. The church was built in or around 1124 by Dodin, a Norman knight, on land granted to Kelso Abbey by King David I of Scotland. As originally built, the church consisted of the chancel, nave and square tower. The traditional pattern of an east-west axis was adopted. The original entrance on the south wall includes a particularly fine example of Scoto-Norman stone carving, with a round-topped doorway. Following the enlargement of the parish boundaries, the Prestonfield Aisle was added in 1631. This consists of a gallery, downstairs area and burial vaults were on the north side. In 1968 the church's interior was reconditioned, with the former pipe organ removed.

The entrance to the churchyard from Duddingston village is notable for its gatehouse, built as a lookout point to deter “bodysnatchers” in the early 19th century. The Edinburgh bodysnatchers, known as 'resurrectionists,' stole recently buried corpses to sell to anatomists, and, as in the notorious case of Burke and Hare, sometimes also resorted to murder.

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User Reviews

janet forbes (Jinty) (11 months ago)
As with all worship venues, this is a lovely Church, who are celebrating 900 years! Lots of activities and fundraisers in the pipeline. Thanks to all for your lovely warm welcome.

Obe Wan Ed (16 months ago)
900 year old church, still in service. Beautiful and adjacent to Dr. Neil's garden. Definitely worth a look.

Kelly Heimlich (17 months ago)
We had a wee wander in this lovely, peaceful place. There is something about old graveyards that is just so welcoming. During the daytime. lol

Jonas Crespo (3 years ago)
The parish church stands within the churchyard on a slight eminence overlooking Duddingston Loch. It was built in the 12th century as an unaisled, two-chambered, Romanesque building, and was enlarged in the 17th century by the addition of a north aisle and a central western tower. The original masonry has been repaired and in part renewed, either in the course of that alteration or on a subsequent occasion when the windows were enlarged.

Paul Jewell (3 years ago)
A fantastic place to go inside, full of history and stories. May I just say that you also must meet the .Minister Jim Jack, he brings laughter and joy whenever he speaks. He is an asset to the Kirk and is loved dearly by his parishioners.

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