About the Guild
The Guild
St Margaret’s Chapel Guild was founded in 1942 to both provide flowers for the Chapel and maintain it’s interior. The Guild is a Scottish charity registered with the Scottish Charity Regulator. Its charitable purposes are to promote the knowledge and understanding of the life and works of St Margaret of Scotland and to follow her example in relation to supporting family life, piety, religious education, care of church buildings and tolerance amongst religious groups. Our members have either a first or middle name of Margaret, or a derivation of it.
The original idea for the Guild came from the then Minister of the Canongate, the Very Reverend Dr. Ronald Selby Wright. Princess Margaret was its first patron, and it was led until 1958 by Lady Russell, whose husband had been instrumental in the Chapel’s restoration and re-dedication, and then by her daughter Mrs Margaret Anne Macaulay.
The Guild now has more than 300 members who meet annually on St Margaret’s Day for services in the Chapel, lunch and the annual general meeting. Donations are made annually to charities which reflect the values of St Margaret and we raise money through donations including a payment point set within the Chapel itself. A series of events are held throughout the year, including coffee mornings, visits to places associated with St Margaret, and pilgrim walks.
Not all of those with the name of Margaret who wish to be associated with the Guild live near enough to be able to take their place in the rota for placing flowers in the Chapel, or attend the celebrations on St Margaret’s Day. All members follow the same aims, receive the Guild’s newsletter, and those members with geographical constraints are encouraged to place flowers in their own churches on St Margaret’s Day.
If you have a name that is Margaret, or a derivation of it (eg Maggie, Meghan, Daisy, Margaritte, Meg, etc) you could join our Guild and be part of our fellowship. To find out more, email our membership secretary: Margaret Crawford
Guild History
A booklet was produced to celebrate the Guild’s 75 Anniversary in 2017. It documents the history of the Guild, and was based on the archive material that the Guild has.
The archive is now housed at the Castle and copies of the booklet are currently available in the Chapel.
Guild Artefacts
The Guild has a number of items that are not always on display in the Chapel. Here is a selection of them.
Lady Kate Gill’s book of St Margaret’s Chapel in Edinburgh Castle
Last year, Lady Kate Gill, Lead/Organiser of Edinburgh Decorative and Fine Art Society, decide that her Group would compile a Bound Book on St Margaret’s Chapel.
The Group choose to produce Bound Books on Churches which are of Historical interest. It is deemed a great honour if your Church is chosen. The Book is now complete, and I have to say that it is very beautiful indeed. When these books are produced, one copy is in the National Library in George IV Bridge, another copy is placed in the V & A Museum in London and the third copy is given to the Church, which it is compiled about, to be placed in their Archives.
Lady Gill presented the Book to our President, Reverend Neil Gardner for the Guild in St Margaret’s Chapel on Friday 29th March 2019. There is also a recording of the church furnishings in the Chapel.
The Kneeler
This is usually brought out for St Margaret’s Day or for weddings and christenings in St Margaret’s Chapel.
The Banner
This was designed and made by a group of Margarets for the 1993 Commemoration of Queen Margaret’s death. It is usually on display at the Canongate Kirk, but is brought to the Castle for the AGM and used in annual Processions commemorating St Margaret in Dunfermline
Guild Silver
The Russell Chalice was made as a memorial to Sir David and Lady Russell. It is used at christenings