Good Catholic Churches in Scotland and Wales?

[CatholicWhovian]

I’m going on vacation to the UK for two months from April to May. My original itinerary was to visit several churches in London as part of my Holy Week celebrations, posted in this thread here. (forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=920747&page=2). However I learned just last night that my relatives are offering me to stay in Scotland for one week, since it’s so far away from the capital, and some visits in north Wales. Also I want to visit Cardiff in south Wales and one of my relatives is willing to bring me to Manchester in north England?

Anyone living in those parts of the UK? Does anyone know of good Catholic churches and sites in the places I’ve mentioned. Please don’t include any sites from south England or around London. Already have enough sites in my itinerary for that.

 

[Bruised_Reed]

I’m going on vacation to the UK for two months from April to May. My original itinerary was to visit several churches in London as part of my Holy Week celebrations, posted in this thread here. (forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=920747&page=2). However I learned just last night that my relatives are offering me to stay in Scotland for one week, since it’s so far away from the capital, and some visits in north Wales. Also I want to visit Cardiff in south Wales and one of my relatives is willing to bring me to Manchester in north England?

Anyone living in those parts of the UK? Does anyone know of good Catholic churches and sites in the places I’ve mentioned. Please don’t include any sites from south England or around London. Already have enough sites in my itinerary for that.

I don’t know personally but you could contact Seraphic Single if you are interested in a EF Mass in Scotland.

Don’t get lost in the rift and watch out for weevils.

(or “You’re going to Cardiff?” aggressively fangirls

 

[maryray]

Hi, I live in Scotland. Almost every town has a Catholic Church and there are Catholic cathedrals in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Have fun trip.

 

[CatholicWhovian]

Hi, I live in Scotland. Almost every town has a Catholic Church and there are Catholic cathedrals in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Have fun trip.

Are you sure? How strong is the Church of Scotland compared to the Catholic Church? From what I know the former is stronger than the latter in terms of impact on culture and institution.

 

[thistle]

Are you sure? How strong is the Church of Scotland compared to the Catholic Church? From what I know the former is stronger than the latter in terms of impact on culture and institution.

I come from a small town (10,000 pop.) on the east coast of Scotland and it has a Catholic Church. Catholic Churches are all over Scotland.

I’m curious about the expression “good” Catholic Churches. Do you know bad Catholic Churches?

 

[CatholicWhovian]

I come from a small town (10,000 pop.) on the east coast of Scotland and it has a Catholic Church. Catholic Churches are all over Scotland.

I’m curious about the expression “good” Catholic Churches. Do you know bad Catholic Churches?

Not as much as in England?

What I meant by “good” churches I meant good and beautiful churches to visit. Plus points if the church has any big historical significance.

 

[thistle]

Not as much as in England?

What I meant by “good” churches I meant good and beautiful churches to visit. Plus points if the church has any big historical significance.

Your thread is only about Scotland and Wales.

The population of England is about 53 million and that of Scotland about 5 million so obviously there will be more in England.

 

[CatholicWhovian]

Your thread is only about Scotland and Wales.

The population of England is about 53 million and that of Scotland about 5 million so obviously there will be more in England.

Ok…

Now can you answer my question?

 

[Aslan10]

Ok…

Now can you answer my question?

I was in Scotland last year, it was absolutely beautiful, and I wish I was still there. If you are looking to go to old historical Cathedrals, there truly are not many. The reason being, that during the Scottish Reformation, all of the Churches were converted to the Church of Scotland. If you are looking to go to mass while there, there are TONS of Catholic Churches that go back to the 19th century, due to the high Irish and Polish immigration. There are many parishes across Scotland as the above poster mentioned. But most of the ancient Churches or “Kirks” form what is now the Church of Scotland (aka Presbyterian). Wales, I’m not so sure on. Anyway, you will not be for want in Scotland for Catholic Churches or ancient Churches, and everything is so beautiful, and the people are friendly. Edinburgh is the prettiest city I’ve ever been in. I wish I lived there. haha

 

[Denise1957]

If you visit Glasgow (my favorite big city in Scotland - the people there very friendly), you should consider visiting the crypt of St. Mungo (also known as St. Kentigern). The crypt is located in the Glasgow Cathedral, which was built in the 12th century, but unfortunately it was taken over by the Reformers, and has been Church of Scotland (Episcopalian) since then. It was the site of popular pilgrimages before the Reformation, in veneration of St. Mungo, who is the patron saint of Glasgow. But you can still visit the crypt, which I haven’t done, but would if I visit Scotland again.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasgow_Cathedral

Photo of St. Mungo’s crypt (tomb):

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Mungo#mediaviewer/File:Stmungotomb.JPG

 

[Aslan10]

If you visit Glasgow (my favorite big city in Scotland - the people there very friendly), you should consider visiting the crypt of St. Mungo (also known as St. Kentigern). The crypt is located in the Glasgow Cathedral, which was built in the 12th century, but unfortunately it was taken over by the Reformers, and has been Church of Scotland (Episcopalian) since then. It was the site of popular pilgrimages before the Reformation, in veneration of St. Mungo, who is the patron saint of Glasgow. But you can still visit the crypt, which I haven’t done, but would if I visit Scotland again.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasgow_Cathedral

Photo of St. Mungo’s crypt (tomb):

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Mungo#mediaviewer/File:Stmungotomb.JPG

I’m not trying to be picky, but I just want to point out, the Church of Scotland is Presbyterian not Episcopalian. I grew up Presbyterian, with lots of Scottish heritage. Just a heads up.

 

[Denise1957]

I’m not trying to be picky, but I just want to point out, the Church of Scotland is Presbyterian not Episcopalian. I grew up Presbyterian, with lots of Scottish heritage. Just a heads up.

Oops! Thank you for the correction.

 

[Hodegetria]

Hi, I’m not from UK, but I have some info from a book called “Europe’s Monastery and Convent Guesthouses- A Pilgrim’s Travel Guide” by Kevin J. Wright, publisher is Liguori, year 2000. So it’s kind of old, but probably these places are still going strong…

BTW, these websites are good for Catholic travel info, I checked them:
www.catholicpilgrims.com
www.catholicshrines.com

From the book:
Sancta Maria Abbey Nunraw, Garvald, East Lothian Scotland

Pluscarden Abbey
St. Benedict’s or St. Scholastica’s Retreat, Elgin, Morayshire Scotland

Nothing listed for Wales

Have a great trip!

 

[Francis_C_1]

Hi I’m from the North East of Scotland. As has been said most towns have a Catholic church. For example the city of Aberdeen pop 200,000 people has 7 Catholic Churches. The Catholic population of Scotland is 16%, but in Glasgow some areas this is high as 40%. There has been a large amount of Polish people coming to work in Scotland which has boosted the Catholic population further. Just bear in mind although Scotland is not big in world terms, it does cover one third of Britain, it would take you 6 hours to drive from the far south to the far North, Scotland is roughly twice the size of the state of Vermont. However the towns in the central belt are close to each other and Glasgow to Edinburgh is only a 1 hour trip. Most churches have web sites so it should be easy enough to find out mass times etc. Hope this has been helpful hope you have a good trip.

 

[Dulcie]

Hi, I’m originally from Scotland. If you’re looking for EF masses then there are a few, including one at 11.30 AM every week in St Andrew’s Catholic Church, Ravelston, Edinburgh. For NO there are loads - central examples would include St Mary’s RC Cathedral, Edinburgh (don’t get it confused with St Mary’s Episcopalian Cathedral!) and St Patrick’s on the Cowgate, Edinburgh.

In terms of beautiful churches to visit then you will probably be most interested in the pre-Reformation churches, most of which are now Protestant after the Reformation. Examples include St Giles, the High Kirk of Edinburgh on the Royal Mile (well worth a visit; don’t miss the Thistle Chapel inside). The only extant example of pre-Reformation Catholic stained glass left in Scotland is in the historic Magdalen Chapel (now, rather bizarrely, under the care of the Scottish Reformation Society!) scottishreformationsociety.org/the-magdalen-chapel/ ; you can visit on Thursday afternoons. There are also extremely interesting graveyards at Greyfriars Kirk and the Canongate Kirk (the Queen’s church when she’s in Edinburgh). St Margaret’s Chapel inside Edinburgh Castle is also very ancient and beautiful.

Elsewhere in Scotland, one of the previous posters mentioned Pluscarden Abbey, and I second that: it’s a stunning place, incredibly peaceful and beautiful, still run by the Benedictines. I think you can book in there for a retreat if you like. pluscardenabbey.org/home.asp

Finally, there is a fascinating community of Transalpine Redemptorists on one of the tiniest, most remote Scottish islands, Papa Stronsay. papastronsay.com/ I have never visited, but I think it can be arranged, and their whole way of life looks truly incredible. Some of these places might be worth looking up online even if you don’t actually get to go there on your visit.

Have a great trip!

 

[CatholicWhovian]

What about Catholic churches and sites in Wales? Anyone who’s Welsh or who lives in Wales who knows some?

 

[OraLabora]

cbcew.org.uk/CBCEW-Home/Dioceses