Catholic Church site in Edinburgh to be sold after nearly 200 years

A historic site which has been in the hands of the Catholic Church in Scotland since 1834 is being placed on the market due to maintenance costs.

The Gillis Centre Complex in Edinburgh will be sold by the the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh in September.

Archbishop Leo Cushley said the decision came after a long review process concluded that continued investment in the site would not be the best use of resources.

The site in Marchmont, which consists of an A-listed neo-Norman chapel and other B-listed buildings, will continue to host church events until it is sold.

It follows a string of Scotland's sacred buildings being sold off in recent years.

Both the Catholic church and the Church of Scotland say the sales are necessary because of changing congregations and financial issues.

Many communities have attempted - and failed - to buy their local churches with sales happening quickly.

The Edinburgh site was brought into the Catholic Church when it was bought by Bishop James Gillis in 1834.

The same year, St Margaret's Convent and School opened and it remained an education site and home for nuns for the next 152 years, until Gillis College, a seminary, opened in 1986.

Then in 1993 the buildings became home to offices of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

Due to the complexity and the sensitive nature around the sale, it is expected to take about two years.

Archbishop Cushley said the trustees are required to ensure that resources are used in support of the Archdiocese's charitable purposes.

He said they have responded carefully and responsibly regarding the stewardship of the Archdiocese and how best to support their mission.

He said: "The Gillis Centre holds historical, spiritual and personal significance for many clergy and people across the Archdiocese and beyond as a place of formation, prayer, administration, education and encounter, so I ask for your prayers as we undertake this next chapter together."

Fr Jeremy Milne, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, also said the centre holds a special place for the Church.

"We will now work to support the sale process and will relocate to suitable alternative premises in Edinburgh in due course.

"Clergy and parishioners will be updated throughout this process," he added.

The whole site is made up of the A-listed chapel and conventual buildings comprising of a dairy, sundial gatepiers and boundary walls created by James Gillespie Graham in 1835.

In 1855, St Margaret's Tower and more gatepiers and walls were built and can still be seen today from Strathearn Road.

St Margaret's was the first religious house to be founded in Scotland since the Reformation in 1560.

As the sale gets closer, there will be more information about potential new owners but the church has noted noted that the A & B-listed buildings on the site are protected under planning law and must be maintained unless a new owner seeks listed building consent.

A spokesperson for the archdiocese added: "While it is too early to comment on the future ownership or use of the site, I would like to assure you that the process will be handled with great care and sensitivity.

"We are mindful of the site's historical importance and the interests of local residents, and these considerations will inform our approach as the sale progresses."