St Margaret’s Chapel is the oldest part of Edinburgh Castle and the oldest intact building in Edinburgh. It was built in her honour during the reign of her youngest son, King David 1 (1124 to 1153), on the highest point of the Castle Rock. As part of Edinburgh Castle it comes under the jurisdiction of Historic Environment Scotland, but it remains a place of worship, used for services, weddings and baptisms. The provision and maintenance of the furnishings and the placing of flowers in the Chapel each week are the responsibility of St Margaret’s Chapel Guild.

St Margaret’s Chapel Guild was founded in 1942 on the initiative of the Very Reverend Dr Ronald Selby Wright CVO TD, at that time minister of Canongate Kirk. The first Patron was HRH Princess Margaret, and on her death in 2002, HRH the Princess Royal became and remains Patron. Its main objects are to follow the example and practice the principles of St Margaret of Scotland and to arrange for those with the name of Margaret to place flowers in the Chapel twice in each week of the year. The Guild is non-denominational and anyone who has Margaret or a derivative of it in their name, can apply to join. Organisations named after St Margaret of Scotland can also apply to join as corporate members. The Guild holds services in the Chapel every year on St Margaret’s Day, 16th November.

The Guild has a long and happy association with St Margaret’s School, Edinburgh. For many years the Headmistress, Head Girl and Deputies would represent the school at the St Margaret’s Day service and lunch at Edinburgh Castle and many Guild members remember this fondly. The Guild was delighted to welcome the St Margaret’s Singers as corporate members in 2017, and had the pleasure of hearing the choir sing at the 75th anniversary of the Guild service in the Canongate Kirk in June 2017.

Each year, members of St. Margaret’s Singers are invited to arrange the flowers in St. Margaret’s Chapel. Linda, Fiona and Kate made a beautiful job of this in 2018.