St Margaret’s Chapel at The Gillis Centre in Edinburgh has been described as "a hidden gem" by the National Churches Trust (NCT).

The charity helps hundreds of churches, chapels and meeting houses each year to ensure they thrive.


The historic chapel is to benefit from a generous £10k grant from the charity to help with repairs, as announced in April.

The NCT website states: "This is a location with a rich and varied history.

"It's a hidden gem in the beautiful grounds of the Gillis Centre, the Chapel and adjoining former Convent was the first religious house to be built in Scotland after the Reformation."

The NCT has helped 13,000 places of worship since it was introduced in 2001, the vast majority of them churches.

The Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme allows listed churches, chapels, meeting houses and cathedrals to reclaim VAT on urgent repair projects.

Archbishop Cushley said: “St Margaret’s Chapel is a special place for the Archdiocese.

 "It is a quiet sanctuary, a reminder of our past, and a space for reflection and prayer at the regular events we host."

Find out more about the work of the National Churches Trust here.