Saint Machar’s Cathedral is a faithful witness to the medieval history of Aberdeen, Scotland. Its impressive architecture clad in granite is one of the attractions of old Aberdeen. It is located on the north side of the University, close to the historic King’s College Chapel, the Old House, and the Brig o’ Balgownie.
The fortified building, with twin towers and spire roofs, was constructed between the 12th and 16th centuries, with variations typical of the era. In 1560, during the Scottish Reformation, the presbytery was destroyed; and in 1688, a storm caused the collapse of the central tower and spire, affecting the choir and transepts. Worship was then confined to its central nave and the aisles of the previous building.
From the churchyard, the ruins of the original building, guarded by Historic Environment Scotland, can be observed. The site holds a significant number of tombs, chests, and stone effigies of bishops from the late Middle Ages.
In the walls of Saint Machar’s Cathedral is also buried the left quarter of the Scottish soldier William Wallace, who fought to free Scotland from England and was executed in 1305. His remains were sent to different regions of the country as a warning to dissenters.
Heraldic Ceiling
Saint Machar’s Cathedral remains a living place of worship and a witness to Christ to this day. Aberdeen’s main church can be visited any day of the week. On its tour, it is inevitable to observe the ceiling of the central nave built in the first half of the 16th century, consisting of flat panels displaying 48 coats of arms arranged in three rows of sixteen.
The ceiling displays the heraldic shields of kings of Europe, earls, and bishops of Scotland, including Pope Leo X, Henry VIII of England, and Saint Margaret of Scotland. In the northwest corner of the nave, an original frieze lists the bishops of Saint Machar’s Cathedral from Nechtan in 1131 to William Gordon in 1560, during the Reformation period. It is followed by Scottish monarchs from Máel Coluim II to Mary, Queen of Scots.
Stained Glass and Bells of St. Machar’s Cathedral
Another attraction of St. Machar’s Cathedral is its stained glass, filled with color and history. Each stained glass window documents a historical event. The St. Machar’s window, created by local artist Douglas Strachan, tells the traditional story of the foundation of the first church in the 6th century. This refers to the one built by Saint Machar where a river (the River Don) curves like a bishop’s crozier before flowing into the sea. It was founded in Old Aberdeen around the year 580.
The original church bells, removed during the Reformation, sank in a ship near Girdle Ness. But since 1987, the decommissioned bells from St. Stephen’s Church have been installed in St. Machar’s, notable for being designed for timbre change.
Well-Preserved Treasures
In Saint Machar’s Cathedral, important stone monuments are displayed, including a cross slab from Seaton that possibly dates from the 7th or 8th century, early evidence of Christianity. Effigies of the Cathedral clergy from the medieval period provide a detailed image of the clothing of the time. And a carved wooden triptych honors the archdeacon of Aberdeen, John Barbour, who died in 1395.
