Garnethill Synagogue

Garnethill Synagogue is Scotland’s first purpose-built Synagogue: a beautiful Category A listed building and an example of high Victorian architecture. Your visit will begin with an introduction from our guides, who will talk about the features and history of the building. You can then visit the lower ground floor to see displays, including an exhibition on Jewish immigrants settling in Scotland, from the late 1700s through to the present-day communities. Our exhibition, ‘Scotland a Sanctuary’ looks at the refugees who arrived in Scotland in the 1930s and 1940s, and how people from all backgrounds helped those in peril. In the Function Room our exhibition ‘Hidden Histories’ can be seen. This looks at the stories of six Scottish towns which formerly had a synagogue, but now retain few traces of their Jewish population. The choir will perform twice in the afternoon in the prayer hall at 2.15pm and 3pm, and teas and coffees will be available downstairs. We have a small shop on site.