Tron Kirk Market is a craft market inside a former church at 122 High St on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Browse handmade work by Scottish artists and makers, including paintings, prints, jewellery, clothing, pottery and woodwork. The church’s original interior and stained-glass windows give the market a quieter setting than the street outside. It’s a useful stop for a locally made gift; allow time to look around and speak with stallholders about their work.
A market inside a former church
Tron Kirk Market occupies the former Tron Kirk at 122 High St, on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. The church was built in the 17th century and served as Edinburgh’s main parish church from 1648 until 1952. Its name comes from a tron, a public weighing beam once used in town marketplaces. A market stood on the Royal Mile, close to the church.
The building’s history is visible as you browse. The church’s original interior and stained-glass windows remain part of the setting, giving the stalls a different feel from the souvenir shops along the street. Take a moment to look around the space as well as at the goods on display.
Handmade work by Scottish makers
The market brings together work by local artists and craftspeople. Its stalls sell items such as paintings, prints, jewellery, clothing, pottery and woodwork. That range makes it a practical place to browse for a gift, or to find something small to remember a visit to Edinburgh.
The goods are handmade, so prices may be higher than those of mass-produced souvenirs. If an item catches your eye, ask the maker about their craft and the work behind it. The market gives visitors a chance to buy directly from local artists.
A church shaped by Edinburgh’s past
The Tron Kirk was built between 1637 and 1647, during a period of religious and political conflict in Scotland. It became the city’s main parish church in 1648. In 1824, a fire destroyed its bell tower, which was later rebuilt.
The building also stands at a point in the Royal Mile’s changing street pattern. North Bridge and South Bridge later crossed the ridge near the kirk. Across the street, Anchor Close is associated with printer William Smellie, who printed the 1787 edition of Robert Burns’s Poems. The market is therefore a place to browse Scottish-made goods while spending time in a building tied to the city’s history.
FAQ
Where is Tron Kirk Market?
It is at 122 High St on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, inside the former Tron Kirk.
What can you buy at Tron Kirk Market?
The stalls sell handmade work by Scottish artists and makers, including jewellery, clothing, paintings, prints, pottery and woodwork.
Is Tron Kirk Market in a historic building?
Yes. The market is inside the 17th-century Tron Kirk, which served as Edinburgh’s main parish church from 1648 to 1952.
When is a good time to visit?
Weekdays are a good choice for a quieter browse.
