Edinburgh Synagogue

Edinburgh Synagogue is the main Orthodox Jewish place of worship in the Scottish capital, standing at 4a Salisbury Road in the Newington district, south of the city centre. The congregation behind it, the Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation, dates back to 1816, which makes it one of the oldest Jewish communities in Scotland.

What is the Edinburgh Synagogue?

It is a working synagogue and the home of an Ashkenazi congregation. Services follow the Ashkenazi rite, and the community operates under the auspices of the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth. For visitors it is both a living religious centre and a notable piece of early twentieth-century architecture.

How long has the community been in Edinburgh?

The congregation was established in 1816 as the Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation. Over the following century it moved between several premises. Early gatherings took place at Ross House, and from 1867 the community met in Park Place. In 1896 it moved again, to Graham Street, where it stayed until 1932, when the move to the present building on Salisbury Road took place.

Who designed the building and when was it built?

The Salisbury Road synagogue was designed by the architect James Miller and built between 1929 and 1932. Its style is usually described as Byzantine Revival, and it is built of red brick. According to one account, some planned features, including a double-walled dome, were left out of the final building because of cost.

The opening in 1932 was a significant moment for the city's Jewish population. Chief Rabbi Joseph Hertz consecrated the building, and it symbolised the coming together of the two main congregations in Edinburgh, which had previously been divided by rivalry. Accounts of its size differ: one source gives a capacity of 1,000 people, while an exhibition by the University of Edinburgh states 1,500.

What else is worth knowing?

The interior is known for its stained-glass windows by William Wilson, which were added after the building was completed. The complex also contains a mikveh, a ritual bath, which is described as one of only two in Scotland. The synagogue is a Category B listed building, a status granted on 29 March 1996 in recognition of its architectural and historical value.

Practical information

The synagogue is in Newington, a residential area with a good number of shops, cafes and student housing, within reach of the Old Town and the university quarter. Because it is an active place of worship, it is best to contact the congregation in advance if you hope to see the interior, and to respect the times of services and religious holidays.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Edinburgh Synagogue? At 4a Salisbury Road, in the Newington area of Edinburgh, Scotland.

When was the congregation founded? In 1816, as the Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation.

Who designed the current building? James Miller, with construction between 1929 and 1932.

Is the building protected? Yes, it is a Category B listed building, designated on 29 March 1996.

Is it still in use? Yes, it is an active Orthodox synagogue following the Ashkenazi rite.