Temple Old Kirk

I first learned about Temple Old Kirk, from a Facebook post by Scottish photographer, Colin Myers. There are only a few places I've visited that I went to because I saw a photo that sparked an immediate need to see the place for myself. This was one of them.

Temple Old Kirk is located in Temple Village about a half hour outside of Edinburgh.

The village of Temple was once known as Balantradoch from the Gaelic words Baile nan Trodach - Place of the Warriors. This site was the headquarters of the Order of Knights Templar in Scotland. 

The churchyard has many old and unique gravestones some dating back to the 1600's. I just love old graveyards! Scotland has the best of them.

It's located on the bank of the South Esk River. As you walk around imagining the scenes that took place here long ago, you can hear the sound of the babbling water. It's divine!

The family friend that brought me here did not seem to have the same sense of awe that I had visiting this place. It felt like such a privilege to walk the grounds. 

That's just one of the reasons I usually travel alone. Go where your heart takes you - not where your friends drag you. There's a reason you want to visit the places that call to you. Somehow someway you have a connection to it. 

The kirk is easy to spot but there's no parking to speak of. You can take the bus from Edinburgh to Temple and walk down Main Street far enough until you find the old iron gate at the bottom of the hill.

                  On to Rosslyn Chapel>>