Dunkeld Cathedral is a Church of Scotland place of worship which 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 began in 1260 and was 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.

It is not formally a 'cathedral', as the Church of Scotland nowadays has neither cathedrals nor bishops, but it is one of a number of similar former cathedrals which has continued to carry the name.

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.

In the 17th century, the Bishopric of Dunkeld became an appendage of the Crown and subsequently descended to the Earls of Fife. Dunkeld Cathedral is today a Crown property, through Historic Environment Scotland, and a scheduled monument.

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

thumbnail|right|[[Tomb of Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan, c. 1420

Other noteworthy burials include:

  • John Scotus, (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 of Dunkeld (1309–1337)
  • Michael de Monymusk, Bishop of Dunkeld (1370–1376)
  • The 1st Earl of Atholl (c. 1440–1512)
  • Robert Cockburn, Bishop of Dunkeld (1524–1526)
  • Charles Edward Stuart, Count Roehenstart (1784–1854)

<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px">

File:Dunkeld Cathedral Interior 1, Dunkeld, UK - Diliff.jpg|The cathedral's interior looking towards the altar

File:Dunkeld Cathedral - the east window - geograph.org.uk - 1138997.jpg|East window

Dunkeld Cathedral Exterior, Dunkeld, UK - Diliff.jpg|The ruins of the nave

File:The Nave at Dunkeld Cathedral - geograph.org.uk - 1586200.jpg|Nave interior

File:Arches in the nave, Dunkeld Cathedral - geograph.org.uk - 1353277.jpg|Arches in the nave

Image:The Tower Dunkeld Cathedral.jpg|The Tower of Dunkeld Cathedral

File:Dunkeld Cathedral Precincts - geograph.org.uk - 971357.jpg|View from the tower

</gallery>

See also

  • Crínán of Dunkeld
  • Bishop of Dunkeld
  • List of Church of Scotland parishes
  • List of cathedrals in Scotland

References

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