Greyfriars Kirk
Greyfriars Kirk
4.5
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksArchitectural BuildingsCemeteriesReligious Sites
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Founded in 1620, Greyfriars Kirk it is the first church built in post-Reformation Edinburgh. We’re open to visitors for most of the year. The interior boasts impressive stained glass windows and a magnificent pipe organ. In our museum, see an original old painting of Greyfriars Bobby and a copy of The National Covenant. The Kirkyard is famous for being the resting place of Greyfriars Bobby. Some of Scotland’s most celebrated figures, including James Hutton and Mary Erskine are also buried here. Recently, Harry Potter fans enjoy discovering the headstones of names that allegedly inspired some of JK Rowling’s famous characters. Maps of the Kirkyard are on sale in our souvenir shop during visitor opening. Experience our history, stories, traditions! We look forward to welcoming you.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
1,410 reviews
Excellent
767
Very good
518
Average
117
Poor
6
Terrible
2
Buddapies
Bedfordshire, UK152 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We specifically searched out Bobby, the dedication to Bobby was nicely presented. It was a wet and windy day so did not stay (thanks storm Babet), would have liked to explore the church yard more.
Written 30 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clevlander
Springfield, IL4,974 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Historic cemetery and Presbyterian Church with such long and distinguished history. The place feels silent and solemn with people being respectful of the place.
Written 4 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IlyaNJ
Marlboro, NJ1,009 contributions
Mar 2023
The church is not too lavishly decorated, but the organ is super-impressive, and there are several vivid stained-glass windows. Plenty of local history context and very pleasant gardens (plus an eye-catching cemetery) around. Free to enter, with donation suggestions.
Written 20 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cadley13
Lancashire30 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
Great for any Harry Potter fan to come and see some of the graves that gave J.K. Rowling many characters names for her world famous books
Written 12 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian T
London, UK6,782 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
The Greyfriars Kirk is a parish church of the Church of Scotland, located a short walk from Grassmarket in Edinburgh’s Old Town. It’s surrounded by the fascinating Greyfriars Kirkyard.
The church was built between 1602 and 1620, on the former site of a Franciscan monastery which belonged to the Observantine Franciscans who had arrived in Edinburgh from the Netherlands in the mid-15th century. The Franciscans were known as the Greyfriars for the colour of their robes, so the kirk gained the name Greyfriars. The church is one of the oldest buildings in Edinburgh, and certainly worth a visit.
The church structure appears simple and uncomplicated, and far less grand than you would expect. You will notice the absence of a tower or steeple. There was one, but it was destroyed in 1718 when some gunpowder which was stored in the church exploded.
The church has some nice features, including some lovely stained glass windows, and a fine organ. One curiosity I noticed was an American flag hanging above the sanctuary. A volunteer at the church explained that Greyfriars Kirk opened on Christmas Day in 1620 at the same time that the Pilgrims had landed in the United States. The flag, which has flown at the White House in Washington D.C., was presented by the American Consul in Edinburgh on the church’s 350th anniversary in 1970.
Greyfriars Kirk is open to visitors daylight hours, and is well worth exploring. It is easily reached on foot from the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle. Combine it with a visit to the Greyfriars Kirkyard, the memorial headstone to the Greyfrioars Bobby (a dog) and the nearby statue of the Greyfriars Bobby, and you’ll be able to while away a few hours quite delightfully.
The church was built between 1602 and 1620, on the former site of a Franciscan monastery which belonged to the Observantine Franciscans who had arrived in Edinburgh from the Netherlands in the mid-15th century. The Franciscans were known as the Greyfriars for the colour of their robes, so the kirk gained the name Greyfriars. The church is one of the oldest buildings in Edinburgh, and certainly worth a visit.
The church structure appears simple and uncomplicated, and far less grand than you would expect. You will notice the absence of a tower or steeple. There was one, but it was destroyed in 1718 when some gunpowder which was stored in the church exploded.
The church has some nice features, including some lovely stained glass windows, and a fine organ. One curiosity I noticed was an American flag hanging above the sanctuary. A volunteer at the church explained that Greyfriars Kirk opened on Christmas Day in 1620 at the same time that the Pilgrims had landed in the United States. The flag, which has flown at the White House in Washington D.C., was presented by the American Consul in Edinburgh on the church’s 350th anniversary in 1970.
Greyfriars Kirk is open to visitors daylight hours, and is well worth exploring. It is easily reached on foot from the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle. Combine it with a visit to the Greyfriars Kirkyard, the memorial headstone to the Greyfrioars Bobby (a dog) and the nearby statue of the Greyfriars Bobby, and you’ll be able to while away a few hours quite delightfully.
Written 4 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TWal1
Canberra, Australia2,861 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Our free walking tour ended in Greyfriars Kirk and we heard some interesting stories about the area. Fascinating history.
It is worth exploring a little further to see some of the graves and epitaphs. Certainly different times and the headstones remind us of past practices and beliefs.
It is worth exploring a little further to see some of the graves and epitaphs. Certainly different times and the headstones remind us of past practices and beliefs.
Written 17 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheMargeaux
Reno, NV67 contributions
Jul 2022
I stumbled across this because I was looking for Tom Riddles grave which I never found. But the cemetery at Greyfriars Kirk is interesting to look around. Even though it was closed the day I was there the building is interesting. On my way out of the Greyfriars grounds there is a statue of Greyfriars bobby which is an interesting bit of history. So stop and read and take a picture.
Written 12 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vessi80
North Lanarkshire, UK1,080 contributions
Sep 2022
The original building dates back to 1620 and several rebuilds and restorations later, there remains an impressive gabled exterior.
Inside is a spacious light filled sanctuary with first class stained glass by the likes of Ballantine and a stylish contemporary organ.
The historic National Covenant was read out and signed right here in 1638 and the small museum reflects its importance with artefacts like Covenanters' swords.
The kirk continues important community work and the video on the Grassmarket Community Project is a must see.
If you go down to the bottom of the kirkyard onto Candlemaker Row, you'll find their workshop, education and cultural space plus the wonderful social enterprise cafe,Coffee Saints .
Memorable visit and made to feel very welcome.
Check website for opening hours and the programme of concerts.
Inside is a spacious light filled sanctuary with first class stained glass by the likes of Ballantine and a stylish contemporary organ.
The historic National Covenant was read out and signed right here in 1638 and the small museum reflects its importance with artefacts like Covenanters' swords.
The kirk continues important community work and the video on the Grassmarket Community Project is a must see.
If you go down to the bottom of the kirkyard onto Candlemaker Row, you'll find their workshop, education and cultural space plus the wonderful social enterprise cafe,Coffee Saints .
Memorable visit and made to feel very welcome.
Check website for opening hours and the programme of concerts.
Written 3 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
top-trippers
Bolton, UK611 contributions
Sep 2021
Whilst he had hoped to see the permanent exhibition about the church’s history including the signing of National Covenant here, we did not go in as it looked as if an art event was being set up. We did spend an interesting half hour meandering around the small atmospheric graveyard. You can see a section of the city’s original defensive wall and there is a memorial to the 1200 or so Covenanters who were corralled here, many left to die without shelter, food or water. The kirkyard also houses the mausoleum of “Bloody Mackenzie”, one of the chief prosecutors of the Covenanters, which is said to be haunted by the thousands of plague victims buried beneath in a mass grave. There are a couple of mortsafes which were installed to prevent graverobbing and, bodysnatching by the likes of the infamous Burke and Hare. By the main east door, a memorial stone honours Greyfriars Bobby, the loyal Skye Terrier who sat on the nearby grave of his owner, John Gray, for 14 years. (There is commemorative fountain to the dog opposite the neighbouring Greyfriar’s Bobby tavern, and his dish and collar can be seen at the Museum of Edinburgh). These days, most people visit the church for the Harry Potter connection. J.K. Rowling penned some of her stories at the nearby Elephant House café and the names of some of her characters (including Hermione’s cat Cruikshanks or Crookshanks), may have come from the gravestones. There also is a good view of the neighbouring George Heriot's School (whose dramatic Gothic architecture and house tournaments might be the inspiration for Hogwart’s) and beyond to the city’s Castle. You can get a map of the grave yard from the church. Worth a stop if you have the time.
Written 3 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Virginia C
6 contributions
Aug 2021
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Greyfriars. Lots of history and interest. Lovely warm welcome. very relaxing. No booking necessary which was a boon. Toilets too!!
Written 4 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Violet Earlgrey
Montichiari, Italy4 contributions
May I visit the graveyard on my own or I have to book a tour?
Greyfriars Kirk
Edinburgh, UK
Hi there,
the kirkyard is open 24/7 and you are welcome to visit alone. There are plenty of tours available if you wish to learn more about the site.
Andy
Jules4411
Limoux, France4 contributions
Bonjour, j'ai vu dans plusieurs commentaires que l'on pouvait visiter de nuit. Or, j'ai vu que ça fermait à 16h30. Quelqu'un pourrait il me renseigner ? Y'a t'il des visites en français ? Merci
Viajar es el mayor regalo
Madrid, Spain1,384 contributions
You can do a free tour in French, for sure, it is worth visiting.
I am not sure about opening times, I was there around 15:30 in December, it was already dark but open.
How much is the access to the cemetery? Is a booking needed?
Elfocurioso
Province of Turin, Italy826 contributions
its open all days and free
BSchatte
Austin, TX58 contributions
Can you access the kirkyard (graveyard) before/after opening hours of the church itself?
youngatheartseventy
Oxted, UK58 contributions
yes you can access graveyard before and after opening hours of church.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Greyfriars Kirk
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