Cardinal opens new hotel on church's land

THE leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland Cardinal Keith O'Brien has opened a new hotel in the Cowgate.

The Holiday Inn Express Hotel was built on church land next to St Patrick's Church that was leased to raise money for a £2 million overhaul of the building.

The money went towards improvements including a new altar, organ and community centre.

Cardinal O'Brien unveiled a plaque to mark the opening in front of church officials and hotel representatives.

St Patrick's is home to the remains of Margaret Sinclair, the Edinburgh nun who could become the city's first saint.