Church bell silenced after 186 years following complaints that it's too loud

Edinburgh City Council is examining ways to make a church bell quieter after learning it exceeds World Health Organisation night-time noise limits.

St Stephen's Church in Stockbridge has been chiming every hour for almost 190 years but it is thought the bell may have become louder over time.



Now the 186-year-old bell has been temporarily stopped from ringing until a solution can be found. It follows four complaints from residents in the area. The church was designed by "Athens of the North" architect William Henry Playfair.

The church has a 160ft tower and the longest clock pendulum in Europe. An Edinburgh City Council spokeswoman said: "The bell has been temporarily silenced so that we can investigate concerns about noise."