St. Cuthberts, Edinburgh

The church of St. Cuthberts in Edinburgh, set in the lower levels of Princes Street Gardens has always been neglected somewhat as one the architectural features of Edinburgh. It has had a chequered career. A church of St. Cuthberts was first mentioned in the 8th century and a church of some sort has stood on this spot from 850AD. There was a medieval church in 1127 and early maps identify it as the West Church.  In the late eighteenth century a spire was added but by the end of the nineteenth century the church had become unsafe. Eventually the architect Hippolyte Blanc decided it would be impossible to remodelled and the church was rebuilt on a much grander scale. The interior is a lot more ornate that most presbyterian churches. 

Trying to get a reasonable shot of it yesterday indicated perhaps why it has been neglected. It is surrounded by trees and even in winter it is almost impossible to get an overall view of the building.