The Diocese of Edinburgh is the largest Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) diocese — covering Edinburgh, the Lothians, the Scottish Borders and parts of Fife with around 70 churches. St Mary's Cathedral Edinburgh is the largest cathedral built in Scotland since the Reformation.
The Diocese of Edinburgh (SEC) at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop John Armes
- Coverage
- Edinburgh, Lothians, Scottish Borders, parts of Fife
- Parishes
- ~70 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Provost of the Cathedral and Diocesan Synod Standing Committee
- Capital programme
- Scottish Episcopal Church Provincial Net Zero Fund
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £18,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- St Mary's Cathedral Edinburgh (largest post-Reformation Scottish cathedral)
- Old St Paul's Edinburgh
- Cathedral of the Isles Cumbrae (smallest UK cathedral)
- St John the Evangelist Edinburgh
- St Mary's Dalkeith
Funding stack for Edinburgh (SEC) parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Edinburgh (SEC) combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| SEC Provincial Net Zero Fund | Up to £18,000 | 35-55% |
| Scottish Government Net Zero programme | Variable | 10-25% |
| Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme (UK-wide) | 20% of capex | 20% |
| Historic Environment Scotland grants (Cat A/B) | Variable | 5-15% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Edinburgh (SEC)
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Edinburgh (SEC), any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Provost of the Cathedral and Diocesan Synod Standing Committee, on the advice of the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC). For a well-prepared solar application, the typical timescale from PCC resolution to faculty grant is 10-18 weeks for non-listed and Grade II buildings, extending to 18-26 weeks for Grade II* and Grade I where Historic England consultation is required.
We have prepared faculty applications across the Diocese of Edinburgh (SEC) and know the DAC office, diocesan architect, and Net Zero Officer personally. See our 2026 PCC guide to faculty jurisdiction for the full process, or our faculty application service page for our delivery approach.
Cities and towns covered in the Diocese of Edinburgh (SEC)
We deliver across the Edinburgh, Lothians, Scottish Borders, parts of Fife footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Edinburgh (SEC) parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Edinburgh (SEC), PCC-ready report inside 7 working days
- On-site survey — structural and electrical engineers; engagement with diocesan architect
- Faculty application — Statement of Significance, Statement of Needs, DAC consultation, representation at chancery
- Grant applications — Scottish Episcopal Church Provincial Net Zero Fund, Buildings for Mission, Listed Places of Worship VAT scheme
- Install and commission — typically 1-3 weeks on site, with full PCC training and monitoring active
- Post-commissioning — Eco Church credit logged, parish magazine feature, annual carbon report
Common questions — Diocese of Edinburgh (SEC) parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Edinburgh (SEC) have?
Approximately 70 parishes across Edinburgh, Lothians, Scottish Borders, parts of Fife.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Edinburgh (SEC)?
Provost of the Cathedral and Diocesan Synod Standing Committee grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Edinburgh (SEC) has committed to net zero by 2030, in line with (or ahead of) the Church of England's national 2030 General Synod commitment.
What grant funding is available for Edinburgh (SEC) parish solar?
The principal route is the Scottish Episcopal Church Provincial Net Zero Fund, with awards up to £18,000. This combines with national Buildings for Mission grants, the Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme, and charitable trust funding to typically cover 50-100% of capex.
How long does a faculty application take in the Diocese of Edinburgh (SEC)?
For a well-prepared solar faculty application, 10-18 weeks for non-listed and Grade II buildings; longer for Grade II* and Grade I where Historic England consultation is required.