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Dunkeld Cathedral

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Dunkeld Cathedral is in the Town of Dunkeld, 14 miles northwest of Perth, just off the main A9 road.

The earliest parts of the Cathedral seen today are from 1318.

The Cathedral can be visited Free of charge April to September 10.00am to 5.30pm / October to March 10.00am to 4.00pm. Postcode: PH8 0AW

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The Image top is from the entrance to the Cathedral, found by going to The Cross in Dunkeld centre with the Atholl Fountain, then walking up Cathedral Street.

The second image shows the Cathedral Gardens with views over the River Tay, a real scenic spot.

The third image shows the Cathedral south side with restoration work being carried out on the ruins of the Chapter House next to the Tower. The Choir on the right side is now used as a Church of Scotland with a small Museum covering the history of the Cathedral and Dunkeld.

Dunkeld Cathedral History

Pre 500s - tribal Picts were in control of the area with little known about their religious beliefs.

500s - a small Monastery was built on this site at Dunkeld after Columba visited the area.

800s - a more substantial Monastery of reddish sandstone was built.

800s - Viking raids in the northwest of Scotland led to Relics of St Columba being brought to Dunkeld Cathedral for safe keeping. This led to Dunkeld becoming the top place of worship in Scotland.

900s - the Relics of St Columba were moved to St Andrews, leading to St Andrews Cathedral becoming the top place of worship in Scotland.

1045 - Abbot Crinan of Dunkeld led a rebellion against King Macbeth, in an attempt to have his 14 year old grandson Malcolm proclaimed King. Crinan was killed in battle at Dunkeld. His grandson became King Malcolm III in 1058.

Macbeth is the King in the William Shakespeare play Macbeth, set around this area.

1300s early - the Choir of Dunkeld Cathedral was completed using some of the reddish sandstone from the earlier Monastery for Bishop William Sinclair.

1405? - Alexander Stewart is laid to rest in a Tomb in Dunkeld Cathedral. Stewart was known as the Wolf of Badenoch, after destroying the town of Forres, Pluscarden Abbey, and Elgin Cathedral in 1390.

1400s middle - the Chapter House, Tower, and South Porch were completed for Bishop Thomas Lauder.

1560 - Dunkeld Cathedral was extensively damaged during the Reformation, as Scotland converted from Catholic to Protestant.

1600 - the Choir was re-roofed to be used as a Protestant Parish Church.

1689 - the Battle of Dunkeld took place at the Cathedral. The Catholic King James had been overthrown by his Protestant daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange, leading to Jacobite's trying to have James returned to the throne. The Jacobite's were defeated in this battle, leading to King James living in exile in France.

1908 - the Choir was altered to its present day form.

1920s - the Choir became a Church of Scotland with the Tower and Naive taken into State care.

Dunkeld Cathedral is still used as the town's Church of Scotland parish church, with the congregation using the smaller Little Dunkeld Church in winter.

The small Chapter House Museum has a collection of relics from medieval times. It also covers the history of Dunkeld.

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Dunkeld Cathedral Photos
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