St. Andrew’s and St. George’s West Church.Built to an unusual oval design by Maj

St. Andrew’s and St. George’s West Church.

Built to an unusual oval design by Major Andrew Fraser of the Royal Engineers, opened in 1784 as St. Andrew’s Church, this was the first church in Edinburgh’s New Town.

Two churches, one St Andrew’s (for Scotland) and the other St George’s (for England), were planned as principal elements in the New Town and originally intended to face each other down the length of George Street, but Laurence Dundas acquired the intended plot in St Andrew’s Square first and built his town house, relegating the church to its present position.  St Georges is now West Register House, with it’s fine green dome, which I used hide away in when I worked there in the late 80′s. 

I’ve been inside this church a few times, it has a fine corniced ceiling and a mezzanine type gallery for parishioners to sit. I used to pop in when they had one of their regular book sale days, all the proceeds of the sales o to Christian Aid. They also have a community café downstairs in the Undercroft. 

If you’re in Edinburgh during May it really is worth a wee look in, even if it’s just to have a nose about the place. 

The house Dundas had built is at 36 St Andrew Square and has been the Head Office of RBS since 1825.

Check out the church website below.

https://www.stagw.org.uk/