OS1/25/13/72
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cathedral | Continued | [continued from page 71] day out of the quarry of Burnbane several burdens of stones". The stones for building the choir and cathedral were all of small size, as they had to be carried on horseback by means of curachs. Roads and carts were subsequent inventions. The workmen's wages did not exceed 3d [£0.0.3], nor that of the labourers 2d [£0.0.2], Scots per day. The mortar was carried in baskets on horseback. The cost of a man with a horse and baskets, or with a curach, was 3d [£0.0.3] Scots per day. In 1460 Bishop Lauder finished the cathedral. He built the porch of the south gate, and adorned it with several fine images. There is a gateway at the western end, of which there is no record. In 1464, Bishop Lauder dedicated the church to its old patron, St. Columba. *** In 1469, Bishop Lauder built the chapter-house, and also the steeple or greater tower of the cathedral. The height of that tower is about 96 feet, and its base 24 feet each side. It was at one time mounted with small cannon, and occupied in 1689, by the Cameronians in their defence of the town, There is, on the west side of the tower, a singular zig-zag rent from the top to the bottom, which seems to have been caused by the insufficient foundation of the northwest corner. *** The cathedral, which had been erected with so much taste and ability, became a noble ruin in 1560, and stands to this day a striking picture of the mutability of human opinions. On the 12th. of August that year, an authority, in the handwriting of Lord James Stewart, - judging from his signature, - and subscribed by him, Argyle and Ruthven, directed the lairds of Airntully and Kinvaid "to pass incontinent to the Kyrk of Dunkeld, and tak doun the haill images thereof, and bring furth to the Kirk-zayrd and burn tham oppinly. And siclyk cast down the altaris, and purge the Kyrk of all kinds of monuments of idolatyre. And this ye faill not to do, as ye will do us singular empleseur; and so committis to the protection of God. Faill not, but ze tak guid heyd, that neither the dasks, windocks, nor durris be ony ways hurt or broken - eyther glassin wark or iron wark." It would have been well had this order been literally obeyed, but the demolition was unfortunately carried on with a disposition of mind and temper more worthy of reprobation than applause. The cathedral and the choir were completely sacked. The windows were smashed, and the doors torn from their hinges. For the credit of the mob, it does not appear from the walls that fire had ever been applied as one of their engines of destruction. Tradition affirms that what these lairds had left undestroyed was demolished by the Laird of Cairdney, among whose family papers the original order for the destruction is to be found. This laird unroofed the cathedral, although one of his ancestors had honourably presided in it as bishop, whose tomb was and still is one of its attractions, and from whom part of his power as laird had been acquired. *** In 1691 or therabouts, the Atholl family [continued on page 73] |
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[Page] 72Transcribers who have contributed to this page.
Alison James- Moderator, SBlues
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