Dunkeld Cathedral

The Dunkeld Cathedral is a now partially in ruins former cathedral in the Scottish village of Dunkeld in the Council Area Perth and Kinross . In 1971 the structure was included in the Scottish monument lists in the highest monument category A. Furthermore, the facility is protected as a Scheduled Monument .

history

Dunkeld is an early Christian site in Scotland that is believed to have been in use since the 6th century. In this century a simple monastery was built. King Kenneth MacAlpin , who united the kingdoms of the Picts and Scots in 843 , had relics of St. Columban of Iona brought to a church in Dunkeld to protect them from robbing Vikings . With the construction of a fortified monastery, MacAlpin may have made Dunkeld the Christian center of early medieval Scotland. From 943 St Andrews formed the center.

King Alexander I (1107–1124) gave the location new impetus. In the same century the diocese of Dunkeld was established. However, construction of the Dunkeld Cathedral probably did not begin before the 13th century. The first phase of construction was the choir in the 14th century. The nave was also opened in the following century . The west tower and the chapter house were built between 1450 and 1475. The cathedral was damaged in the tumult of the Reformation . In 1571 the bishopric was dissolved and the roof of the Dunkeld Cathedral was covered. During the first Jacobite Rising in 1689, the Battle of Dunkeld was fought around Dunkeld Cathedral . In 1691 the choir was restored and has served as a parish church ever since .

In 1762 the tracery of the choir was renovated; the cornices and pinnacles followed in 1818. The latter work was planned by Archibald Elliot . Dunn & Watson carried out the roof truss renewal and interior modernization in 1908. The cathedral's long construction period is reflected in the mix of architectural styles. Essentially Romanesque and Gothic motifs can be found.