In addition to the Cathedral's main and nave roof, the Westmorland Green slate also is employed on the choir roofs, north and south choir aisle and aisle roofs, the north and south transept roofs and Chapter House roof. Constructed principally out of sandstone from the Craigleith Quarry, the Cathedral is renowned for its three spires, the main one towering to 270 feet, and which is supported by internal diagonal buttresses.
With its foundation laid in 1874, the Cathedral stands today as an active place of worship, and focuses on the concern of the disadvantaged at home and abroad for ecological matters.