St Margaret's

St Margaret’s Chapel stands inside Edinburgh Castle on a rocky crag above the city. Built in the 12th century, it is the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh and an example of Romanesque architecture. The small stone chapel has a rectangular nave and a round chancel arch decorated with chevron mouldings. Five round-headed windows and a Romanesque arch above the door show its style. The north wall was renewed, while the other three walls remain 61 cm thick. The chapel once formed part of the castle’s royal lodgings to the north. The chapel is linked to Saint Margaret of Scotland, an English princess who married Malcolm III in the 11th century. After her death in 1093, she was buried at Dunfermline Abbey and later canonised in 1250. In 1314 Robert the Bruce captured the castle and spared the chapel, ordering its repair on his deathbed. The chapel fell into disuse after the Reformation and served as a gunpowder store. In 1845 Sir Daniel Wilson recognised its importance, and Queen Victoria supported its restoration in 1851–1852. Inside, the restored chapel has a barrel-vaulted nave added in the 19th century. Five stained-glass windows by Douglas Strachan depict St Margaret, St Andrew, St Columba, St Ninian and William Wallace. The St Margaret’s Chapel Guild, founded in 1942, maintains the chapel and arranges fresh flowers for visitors. The guild’s members must have the name Margaret or a variant. Baptisms and weddings are held here, and a display case holds a facsimile of the St Margaret’s Gospel book.