55 Churches to Explore in Scotland

Abercorn Church and Cemetery is a located near Queensferry and the southern side of the Forth Road Bridge. The church has a rich, and lengthy history. Although the structure is mainly post-reformation, the church was founded in the 11th century, being completed in the 12th century.

A majestic cathedral,which was the mother church of the provinces of Angus and Mearns, a centre from which the Culdee monks went out to minister to the local communities. It is in the Pointed style, but suffered maltreatment in 1806 at the hands of restorers, whose work was subsequently removed during the restoration completed in 1902. The western gable with its flamboyant window, Gothic door and massive square tower, parts of the choir, and the nave pillars and clerestory are all that is left

Cambuskenneth Abbey is one of Scotland's most important abbeys and is home to a fine collection of medieval grave slabs and architectural fragments. The abbey today is largely reduced to its foundations, however its bell tower remains. The neighbouring modern village of Cambuskenneth is named after it.

Carfin Lourdes Grotto, a Roman Catholic shrine in Scotland dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, was created in the early twentieth century. The "Carfin Grotto", as the shrine is locally referred to, was the brainchild of Father, later Canon Thomas N. Taylor, parish priest of St. Francis Xavier's Parish in the small, mining village of Carfin, which lies two miles east of Motherwell, in the West of Scotland.

Castle Semple Collegiate Church is located in Renfrewshire, Scotland. It is situated near the eastern end of Castle Semple Loch, within Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, and 2 miles west of Howwood on the B787, then on to the B776. The late Gothic church is under the protection of Historic Environment Scotland as a Scheduled monument.

Crathie Kirk is a small Church of Scotland parish church in the Scottish village of Crathie, best known for being the regular place of worship of the British royal family when they are in residence at the nearby Balmoral Castle. Crathie Kirk is now united with neighbouring Braemar to form a single parish with two places of worship. Eventually this parish will be further enlarged to include Glenmuick. The minister is the Reverend Kenneth Mackenzie. Mackenzie was previously minister of the Church

Crossraguel Abbey is one of the best preserved, most varied and most interesting of the many abbey ruins that are dotted across Scotland. Despite being a place of worship, this Cluniac monastery saw its fair share of conflict. The monks’ loyalty to Robert the Bruce eventually saw Crossraguel severely damaged in the Wars of Independence.

Dunblane Cathedral is a fascinating building that stands on a site that has been sacred for well over 1,000 years. Its beautiful Gothic exterior, conserved by a 19th-century restoration, hides a past of neglect and renewal. Today, the church is an active place of worship. Inside are Pictish carved stones, rare 15th-century choir stalls and handsome 19th-century church furnishings.

A complete Cistercian monastery in Scotland and features some of the best Gothic architecture in the country. The abbey was founded in 1142 by Fergus. Dundrennan is noted for the purity and restraint of its architecture, reflecting the austere Cistercian ideal. It is also built from very hard-weathering grey sandstone, so the original architectural forms and mouldings are well preserved.

Dunfermline Abbey is a Church of Scotland Parish Church in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland. The church occupies the site of the ancient chancel and transepts of a large medieval Benedictine abbey, which was sacked in 1560 during the Scottish Reformation and permitted to fall into disrepair. Part of the old abbey church continued in use at that time and some parts of the abbey infrastructure still remain. Dunfermline Abbey is one of Scotland's most important cultural sites.

Dunglass Collegiate Church was founded in the 1440s and dedicated to St Mary. It was a point of strategic importance during the ‘Wars of the Rough Wooing’ in the 1540s, fell out of religious use at the Reformation in 1560, and was converted into a farm building in the early 1700s. It is now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland and is situated in an idyllic situation surrounded by well manicured lawns and thick woodland. An interesting sundial stands on a mound adjacent to the ancient e

Elgin Cathedral, known as the ‘Lantern of the North’, is one of Scotland’s most beautiful medieval cathedrals. The cathedral was once richly carved and adorned with stained glass and painted decoration. A fine collection of architectural fragments hints at the building’s lost beauty, while documentary evidence sheds light on religious life at Elgin.

Falkirk Old & St. Modan's Parish Church also known as "Falkirk Trinity Church" is a congregation of the Church of Scotland in Falkirk, central Scotland. The medieval Old Parish Church is located in the centre of Falkirk, and may have been founded as early as the 7th century. The church was largely rebuilt in the 19th century, though the 18th-century steeple was retained. The church building is protected as a category A listed building.

Glasgow Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in mainland Scotland and is the oldest building in Glasgow. The tomb of the patron saint of Glasgow, Saint Mungo lies in the lower crypt of the cathedral.

Glenluce Abbey was founded around 1190 - 1192 by Cistercian Monks and it follows the standard architectural layout of a Cistercian Abbey. Glenluce is one of several Cistercian abbeys scattered around Scotland, but it has the unique feature of an advanced piped water supply. The ruins were consolidated and partly restored in 1898 by the Glasgow architect, Peter MacGregor Chalmers.[7] They are a scheduled ancient monument.

Govan Old Parish Church was the parish church of Govan district from 6th century untill 2007. The church is no longer used for regular sunday services but it still has daily morning services and open for visitors in the afternoon. The church has an internationally significant collection of early medieval sculpture known as Govan Stones.

Greyfriars Kirk is one of the most famous churches in Edinburgh where you'll find the famous Greyfriars Bobby buried. It is a Protestant church, built between 1602 and 1620, on the former site of a Franciscan monastery, making it one of the oldest buildings in Edinburgh.

One of Scotland’s most important medieval churches, dating from 1456. The church was founded in 1129 during the reign of David I, but the earliest part of the present church dates from the 15th century. As such it is the second oldest building in Stirling after Stirling Castle, parts of which date from the later 14th century. The chancel and tower were added in the 16th century.

Holyrood Abbey served as a royal residence from the start. Edinburgh Castle was an imposing fortress but was less private than the abbey. The abbey church was used as a parish church until the 17th century, and has been ruined since the 18th century. The remaining walls of the abbey lie adjacent to the palace, at the eastern end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile. The site of the abbey is protected as a scheduled monument.