St Machar, Aberdeen

St Machar's Cathedral, Aberdeen

St Machar's Cathedral, located in the historic area of Old Aberdeen, Scotland, is a significant edifice of the Church of Scotland. While it no longer functions as the seat of a bishop and is thus technically a 'high kirk,' its history spans over a millennium, tracing its origins to a foundation by Saint Machar around 580 AD. The present structure is the culmination of centuries of development, incorporating remnants of a Norman cathedral established in 1131 and extensive rebuilding and modifications that occurred from the late 13th century through the 16th century.

History and Development

The legend of St Machar's founding involves a divine instruction to establish a church at a specific bend of the River Don. The Norman cathedral, built after the see was transferred from Mortlach to Aberdeen, saw little of its original fabric survive. Significant architectural contributions were made by a series of bishops, including Henry Cheyne, Alexander Kininmund II, Henry Lichtoun, and Gavin Dunbar. These efforts resulted in the construction of the nave, western towers, and spires, with much of the building primarily constructed from outlayer granite.

The Scottish Reformation in 1560 led to the demolition of the chancel, and a severe storm in 1688 caused the collapse of the central tower, destroying the choir and transepts. Consequently, the current church comprises only the nave and aisles of the earlier building. The ruined transepts and crossing are now maintained by Historic Environment Scotland and contain important medieval bishops' tombs.

Architectural Significance and Features

St Machar's is noted for its unique 16th-century heraldic ceiling, a flat panelled expanse adorned with the coats of arms of contemporary European monarchs, Scottish archbishops, bishops, and prominent families. The western facade is characterized by twin towers, believed to have been inspired by the fortified tower houses of the 14th century, and the spires crowning these towers were added in the 15th century. The cathedral also features significant stone carvings, including capitals from the Norman period and late medieval effigies.

Ministry and Conservation

The cathedral has a rich history of ministry, with notable figures serving as ministers throughout its Presbyterian period. Recent decades have seen considerable investment in conservation and restoration work, including the renewal of battlements on the western towers and the careful display of historic artefacts. In 1987, bells from another church were restored and installed, making it one of the few churches in Scotland equipped for change ringing. A substantial project in 2020 addressed the re-slating of the roof, cleaning of the heraldic ceiling, and repair of stained glass windows.