St Giles' Cathedral, also known as the
High Kirk of Edinburgh, is the principal place of worship of the
Church of Scotland in
Edinburgh. Its distinctive
crown steeple is a prominent feature of the city skyline, at about a third of the way down the
Royal Mile which runs from the
Castle to
Holyrood Palace. The church has been one of Edinburgh's religious focal points for approximately 900 years. The present church dates from the late 14th century, though it was extensively restored in the 19th century, and is protected as a
category A listed building. Today it is sometimes regarded as the "Mother Church of
Presbyterianism". The cathedral is dedicated to
Saint Giles, who is the
patron saint of Edinburgh, as well as of cripples and
lepers, and was a very popular saint in the
Middle Ages. It is the Church of Scotland
parish church for part of Edinburgh's
Old Town.