Interior of the
Cathedral Nave

The Building of the Dunkeld Cathedral

The cathedral we now see at Dunkeld is almost entirely a late medieval building. We know a great deal about its construction, partly from surviving heraldry, but mainly from references in an account of the lives of its bishops which was written in 1555 by Abbot Alexander Myln of Cambuskenneth Abbey near Stirling. Myln had been dean of the Angus part of the diocese from 1505 to 1514, and was official of the diocese from 1513 to about 1519. He became one of the leading figures in the Church of his day, and in 1532 was chosen as first president of Scotland’s new college of justice. But he clearly retained fond memories of his con­nection with Dunkeld Cathedral, and was particularly devoted to the memory of Bishop George Brown (1483-1515).

 Myln tells us that the eastern limb was built by Bishop William Sinclair (1309—37), who employed Master Robert the mason for this purpose. But, although some of this work may indeed have been Sinclair’s contribution, it is clear that parts of the lower walls of the eastern limb - and possibly much of the upper walls as well - are of the mid and later thirteenth century and thus predated Sinclair. This suggests that, for the earliest work, Myln may not be entirely reliable, although this is perhaps hardly surprising when we remember that he was writing at a distance of more than two centuries after the construction of the oldest surviving parts. For the later work, however, much of what he says is supported by other evidence, and is generally acceptable.

The nave was started in 1406 by Bishop Robert Cardeny (1398-1437) and was continued by Bishops Donald Macnachtan (1437) and John Ralston (1447—52). It was eventually completed by Bishop Thomas Lauder (1452—75), who consecrated it for worship in 1464. Lauder also built the south porch, started work on the chapter house in 1457, and began construction of the tower in 1467. Lauder placed his coat of arms on the upper walls of the nave above the porch, on the chapter house, and on the lower stage of the tower. The tower was presumably finished by Bishop James Livingston (1475-83), whose arms were placed near its top.
Myln also tells us a great deal about who fitted up the various parts of the building and provided the sumptuous furnishings which were the backdrop to the worship.

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