Church Overview

There is known to have been Christian church on this site since at least the early 970s when a Culdee monastery existed there. By the late 11th or early 12th century, the bishopric or diocese was firmly established at Brechin, its greatest manifestation today being the magnificent round tower that was built around 1100. 

Slightly-tapering with its conical cap, this 86ft high tower is evocative of the early Celtic church and is one of only two to survive in Scotland. Its doorway, with its carved crucifix, saints, beasts and other carved mouldings, is six feet off the ground, providing security for the people or valuables held within.

The round tower was originally free-standing and was only attached to the cathedral in 1806. This occurred during a ‘restoration’ of the cathedral that saw large parts of its medieval fabric demolished and lost in a quest to create a fabricated notion of its ‘original’ Gothic form. The tower almost shared the same fate, as the unnamed architect suggested quarrying it for its dressed masonry, before some local landowners threatened to hang the first man from the top of the tower who removed any stones from it! The tower is now a Scheduled Monument in its own right and is cared for separately from the cathedral by Historic Environment Scotland.

The Cathedral contains fragments of 13th, 14th and 15th-century medieval architecture incorporated into the building, which was substantially rebuilt and reordered during major renovations in 1900-2, supervised by architect  John Honeyman, partner in the firm of Honeyman, Keppie & Mackintosh).

Special features inside include a 12th-century font and a collection of hugely significant medieval sculptured stones and  impressive Pictish monuments. The Cathedral also possesses a stunning assemblage of 20th-century stained glass by a panoply of well-known artists, such as Henry Holiday, Gordon Webster, Douglas Strachan, Herbert Hendrie, David Gauld, Hugh Easton and the firm of Morris & Co as well as the largest group of William Wilson windows in Scotland.

The pipe organ is by Peter Conacher & Co and was installed in 1878. It has been substantially repaired, rebuilt and refurbished on a number of occasions since then. The church contains some exquisitely carved wooden furnishings, particularly the pulpit designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the pews in the chancel with depictions of the four symbols of the Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

In 1953, the Society of the Friends of Brechin Cathedral was established to assist the local congregation in fundraising for and maintaining the Cathedral, which their many volunteers did diligently for over 70 years. In Feb 2020, the Church of Scotland congregation was dissolved and ownership of the building was transferred the General Trustees and a final service was held on the 28 Nov 2021. The Society of Friends took then full control of the building until a new Brechin Cathedral Trust could be formally established. This Trust is now working closely with the Church of Scotland General Trustees to secure a sustainable and long-lasting community-led future for this iconic medieval building.

Services

No regular services are now held in the building. 

Opening Arrangements

Check the Brechin Cathedral Trust’s website or social media for details of special events and open days.

Disclaimer

The information about churches in Scotland’s Churches Scheme has been provided by the congregations or taken from the Historic Scotland list and published sources, in particular, the Buildings of Scotland volumes and the RIAS Illustrated Architectural Guides. To contact this specific church please complete the Contact this Church form above. The information is not authoritative; please contact Scotland’s Churches Trust to let us know of any errors or omissions.