the graveyard around st cuthberts church, with the statues and gravestones, a surprisingly quiet place considering it's location in the middle of such a busy area. edinburgh castle is also in the background.

St Cuthberts Church Graveyard - Edinburgh visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'St Cuthberts Church Graveyard' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Lothian.

St Cuthberts church in Edinburgh stands next to St John's Church and Princes Street Gardens. A church dedicated St Cuthbert has existed on this site since the 9th century and it is mentioned in writings in the 12th century. Most of the current building of St Cuthbert's dates from the 18th century, though the Nisbet of Dean vault on the North side dates from 1692. As well as an active church, St Cuthbert's is also a minor tourist attraction.

The burial ground around St Cuthberts has increased over time. Until the end of the 16th century it was open to the countryside and a place where sheep grazed. After 1597 a wall was built around it. In 1787 part of Nor' Loch (now Princes Street Gardens) was drained to increase the burial site and in 1827 a watchtower was built to protect the graves from graverobbing by bodysnatchers.

In 1841 a railway tunnel leading to Edinburgh Waverley Station was built under the site. The graveyard was considered completely full and a health risk by the Edinburgh Medical Officer of Health in 1863, and new burials ordered to cease in 1874.

St Cuthbert's Church
5 Lothian Rd,
Edinburgh EH1 2EP

Bus: Princess Street and Lothian Road.
Walk: West end of Princess Street, next to the church of St John's church, about 5 minutes walk from Edinburgh Tourist Information Office.