The Dunkeld Cathedral Clergy

As has been said, one need for Dunkeld’s earlier bishops was to replace the existing community of Culdees by a chapter of clergy which could assist them in the running of their diocese and take part in the election of their successors. Cormac (c.1114—c.32), the first of the new line of bishops, apparently tried to introduce a priory of Augustinian canons to his cathedral. But he was unsuccessful in this and it is possible that the intended community was that which was eventually established on the island of Inchcolm. Into the early thirteenth century it seems the bishops had to call upon the parish clergy throughout the diocese to act as a form of chapter, under the leadership of the archdeacon.

Under the leadership of Bishop Gilbert (c.1229—36) and his successors, however, a chapter of secular canons (that is, a group of clergy not bound by monastic vows) began to be established. By the sixteenth century the chapter had come to consist of twenty­two canons, amongst whom the principal dignitaries were the dean (who led the chapter), the chantor (or precentor, who regulated the services), the treasurer (who looked after the cathedral’s precious possessions), and the chancellor (the businessman of the cathedral body). The rules by which they operated are said to have been based on those of Salisbury Cathedral in southern England.

Funds to pay for all these clergy were mainly found by appropriating the greater part of the income of many parish churches, although this had the side effect of impoverishing those parishes. It is perhaps some comfort that, even on the eve of the Reformation, the churches appropriated to Dunkeld seem to have been better maintained than those of some other cathedrals.

Regrettably, many of those canons were unable — because of their commitments elsewhere - or unwilling to spend much time at their cathedral and, to carry out the daily functions of the absentees, lesser paid substitutes known as vicars choral were appointed. Eventually Dunkeld had thirteen such vicars, together with six choristers. At a period when the Church offered the best means of advancement for the literate elite, it was perhaps natural that a cathedral canonry should be seen as a good way of rewarding favoured individuals, including faithful servants of the crown, but in the long run it was not to the advantage of the Church.