Graham Reid | | 2 min read
In the far north of Scotland about halfway between Fraserburgh and Inverness is the city of Elgin, home to one of the most spectacular ruins in a country renown for them.
This was Elgin Cathedral, and at its peak was the second largest cathedral in the land. It was the only cathedral in Scotland with three towers.
A church on this site was started in the early part of the 13th century but two huge fires – one in 1270, the other 1390 – meant that it was rebuilt on a magnificent scale, its towering architecture ornately decorated.
The Protestant Reformation lead by the firebrand preacher John Knox meant that Catholic worship was abolished and the cathedral at Elgin fell into disuse and disrepair: lead from the roof was removed, the cathedral bells taken to Aberdeen and on Easter Sunday in 1711 the central tower collapsed.
The cathedral was left to languish at the mercy of the weather.
In more recent times conservationists, architectural historians and private enthusiasts have ensured this magnificent structure and the impressive Chapter House be preserved and open to the public.
Examples of carvings which would otherwise be very high are now on display and attest to the craft of the carvers of centuries ago.
We arrived at Elgin Cathedral in the late afternoon of a cold but clear day just before Christmas. We were the only people there, here is some of what we saw . . .
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the west front
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the choir and presbytery
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a bishop (left) and knight (right)
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the roof of the chapter house
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Carvings from various parts of the cathedral
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