Built nearly 900 years ago in 1124, St Giles’ Cathedral is a famous historic church with a unique crown-shaped roof in Edinburgh, Scotland. For the first time in its 900-year history, the church has now announced an entry fee for non-Scottish tourists. Here’s the reason behind it.
St Giles’ Cathedral In Edinburgh Introduced Entry Fee For Tourists
A visit to Scotland can be deemed incomplete if one does not visit St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh. Visitors often come to see the bright, colourful stained-glass windows, detailed wooden carvings and walk in a building that has stood for nearly 900 years. According to the BBC, tourists from outside Scotland now need to pay to enter this popular tourist attraction for the first time in its 900-year history.
General admission to the building is set at £12 (₹1,528 approx.). Free entry is still offered to Scottish residents and people under 16 years of age. Scottish visitors can enter the cathedral for free by registering online and providing proof of residency. Visitors from elsewhere in the UK or other countries will need to pay for tickets to see this historic building from inside.
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Entry Fee To Generate Revenue For Its Operations
But why did the authorities suddenly take the decision to introduce an entry fee? According to the BBC, running the building costs more than £1 million annually. The St Giles’ Cathedral charity trust, which manages the cathedral, did not receive regular funding from the Scottish Government or local council. This is why they decided to introduce the entry charge.
The money generated from the tickets will ensure that the site can continue its long-term operation as a visitor attraction and a religious site. Plus, it will also help the cathedral continue as a cultural centre. Located on the capital’s historic Royal Mile, St Giles’ Cathedral welcomes more than 1.5 million visitors every year.
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If you ever get a chance to visit Edinburgh in Scotland, make sure to see this cathedral. It is not every day you get a chance to stand in a building so historic!
Cover Image Courtesy: St Giles’ Cathedral, Wikipedia/Kadellar
FAQs
Where is St Giles’ Cathedral?
St Giles’ Cathedral is located in Edinburgh, Scotland.