The Gillis Centre, Edinburgh

The Gillis Centre is a place of Christian hospitality in the Roman Catholic tradition, welcoming guests from all faiths and none. It is also one of those oasis’ that is often lacking in busy cities of today, where one can relax and and find the peace, which at some stage in our lives we seek, but all too often do not always find.

The Gillis Centre is also the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Diocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, and of other organisations with the Roman Catholic Faith.In 1832 Bishop Gillis founded the St Margaret’s Convent, which became the first convent after the Reformation of the mid-16th century, during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots.

One christian who had heard about this venture, was Agnus Xavier Trail, who was the daughter of a Presbyterian minister and was a very fine miniature artist, some of her work can be seen in the National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh. She converted to Catholicism and later became know as Sister Agnus Xavier one of the founding Nuns. She another nun established St Margaret’s School.

From here I was to journey to Manchester for the weekend. The route was less scenic than of the last four weeks, but I had decided that I would just call in on Gretna Green and see this famous Registrar’s Office, it was a little disappointing, as building come and go... But the ice-cream was nice!