Kirkliston - Parish Church

The oldest surviving building in Kirkliston is the kirk for which the town is named. Its elevated position raises it to a position of great prominence in the local topography. The mound it sits upon is partly a burial mound upon which the church has been superimposed.

The church was built around 1200. At one time the church belonged to the Knights Templar and the town was called Temple Liston.

The south doorway is the most significant part of the building, being an excellent example of a Romanesque style arched entrance, typical of the late 12th century, with multiple concentric geometric and sculpted forms in each curve. It was bricked up in the 1822 and the old north doorway, more restrained in design, was moved to the eastern wall to become the main entrance.