Dunkeld Cathedral

Dunkeld Cathedral
History
Authorising papal bull	N/A
Associated people	Crínán of Dunkeld
Administration
Diocese	Diocese of Dunkeld
Clergy
Bishop(s)	John the Scot, Robert de Cardeny, Gavin Douglas, Robert Crichton

Dunkeld Cathedral stands on the north bank of the River Tay in Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross, Scotland. Built in square-stone style of predominantly grey sandstone, the cathedral proper was begun in 1260 and completed in 1501. It stands on the site of the former Culdee Monastery of Dunkeld, stones from which can be seen as an irregular reddish streak in the eastern gable.

History

Because of the long construction period, the cathedral shows mixed architecture. Gothic and Norman elements are intermingled throughout the structure. Although partly in ruins, the cathedral is in regular use today and is open to the public.

Relics of Saint Columba, including his bones, were said to have been kept at Dunkeld until the Reformation, at which time they were removed to Ireland. Some believe there are still undiscovered Columban relics buried within the cathedral grounds.

The original monastery at Dunkeld dated from the sixth or early seventh century, founded after an expedition of Saint Columba to the Land of Alba. It was at first a simple collection of wattle huts. During the ninth century Causantín mac Fergusa constructed a more substantial monastery of reddish sandstone and declared Dunkeld the Primacy (centre) of the faith in Alba.

For reasons not completely understood, the Celtic bell believed to have been used at the monastery is not preserved in the cathedral. Instead, it was used in the Little Dunkeld Church, the parish church of the district of Minor or Lesser Dunkeld. Possibly this was because the later Augustinian canons regarded Culdeeism as heresy, and refused relics or saints of that faith.

In the 11th century, the Celtic Abbacy of Dunkeld became an appanage of the Crown and subsequently descended to the Earls of Fife. Dunkeld Cathedral is today a Crown property, through Historic Scotland.

In 1689 the Battle of Dunkeld was fought around the cathedral between the Jacobite Highlanders loyal to James II and VII and a government force supporting William of Orange, with the latter winning the day.

Parish

Dunkeld Cathedral is still used as the town's Church of Scotland parish church, with services every Sunday (although the congregation uses the smaller "Little Dunkeld" Church during winter months.) The current minister (since 2001) is the Reverend R. Fraser Penny.

The small Chapter House Museum offers a collection of relics from monastic and medieval times, and local history exhibits.

Burials

The Tomb of Alexander Stewart

Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan, known as "the Wolf of Badenoch", was buried in the cathedral following his death in 1405, where his tomb, surmounted by his armoured effigy, can still be seen. Other noteworthy burials include:

• John Scotus (bishop of Dunkeld), (1183–1203)
• Geoffrey de Liberatione, Bishop of Dunkeld (1236/7–1249)
• Richard de Inverkeithing, a chamberlain of King Alexander II of Scotland and Bishop of Dunkeld (1250/2–1272)
• William Sinclair (bishop), Bishop of Dunkeld (1309–1337)
• Michael de Monymusk, Bishop of Dunkeld (1370–1376)
• John Stewart, 1st Earl of Atholl, (c. 1440–1512)
• Robert Cockburn, Bishop of Dunkeld (1524–1526)
• Charles Edward Stuart, Count Roehenstart (1784–1854)

Gallery

• The Tower Dunkeld Cathedral.jpg

  The Tower of Dunkeld Cathedral

• Dunkeld Cathedral Interior 2, Dunkeld, UK - Diliff.jpg

  The cathedral's interior seen from the altar

• Dunkeld Cathedral Interior 1, Dunkeld, UK - Diliff.jpg

  The cathedral's interior looking towards the altar

• 

  The ruins of the nave

• The Nave at Dunkeld Cathedral - geograph.org.uk - 1586200.jpg

  Nave interior

• Arches in the nave, Dunkeld Cathedral - geograph.org.uk - 1353277.jpg

  Arches in the nave

• Dunkeld Cathedral Precincts - geograph.org.uk - 971357.jpg

  View from the tower

• Dunkeld Cathedral - the east window - geograph.org.uk - 1138997.jpg

  East window

See also

• Crínán of Dunkeld
• Bishop of Dunkeld
• List of Church of Scotland parishes
• The Hermitage (Scotland)
• List of cathedrals in Scotland

External links

• Dunkeld Cathedral
• 1894 Floor Plan
• Engraving of Dunkeld Cathedral in 1693 by John Slezer at National Library of Scotland