The Cathedral... Photo

Photographer’s Note

Well.....the ruins of the Cathedral of course... :P

Sitting at the eastern end of St Andrews' two main streets is the imposing, if slightly confusing, collection of ruins that together make up St Andrews Cathedral and a number of associated religious buildings.

Either way, the settlement that became St Andrews rose through the dark ages to an eminent position in the Scottish Church, a process that was accelerated when Viking raids led to the removal from Iona of St Columba's relics in 849AD, and with them much of Iona's power base.

By 1144 St Andrews' place in the Scottish Church was confirmed with the setting up here of a community of Augustinian Canons. At the same time, an existing band of clergy, the Culdees, were displaced, eventually finding a permanent home in the most easterly of the three churches on the rocky promontory occupied by the cathedral. This, the church of St Mary on the Rock, is now barely visible above ground level on a site overlooking the harbour outside the precinct wall of the cathedral.

The Augustinians took as their own St Rule's Church, which dates from about 1130, but which was extended in 1144 to accommodate them. Today, all that remains of St Rule's Church is a small part of the chancel and the implausibly high tower. This is accessible to visitors and, at 100ft high, provides superb views over St Andrews and the surrounding area.

Nave and West Gable

Abbot's House

St Rules Church from the East

By 1160 it was clear that St Rule's Church was too small to accommodate the ambitions of the Bishops, and work began on what was to become the largest cathedral ever to be built in Scotland. The work took nearly 150 years to complete. It was eventually consecrated on 5 July 1318 in the presence of Robert the Bruce.

The cathedral was not blessed by favourable elements or good luck, either during its construction or afterwards. Shortly after the nave was completed, the west end of the cathedral was blown down in a gale in 1270. This was rebuilt in a slightly different position, where parts of it remain today.

Then the English stripped the lead from the part-built roofs to make shot during the Wars of Independence. In 1378 the cathedral was badly damaged by fire and had to be extensively rebuilt. And in 1409 it was the turn of the end of the south transept to collapse under the force of a winter storm.

But it was a wind of another kind that brought about the sudden end of the cathedral: the wind of change wrought by the Reformation. On 11 June 1559 John Knox preached a sermon in St Andrews parish church that so aroused the congregation they immediately went to the cathedral and destroyed the splendid fittings and furnishings associated by the reformers with "popery" (see our Historical Timeline).

The end followed quickly. The Church of St Mary on the Rock was probably completely destroyed shortly after it was first attacked. The cathedral and its friary effectively ceased to function on 14 June 1559 when further attacks took place, and within a week all the friars has been "violently expelled" from St Andrews.

Over the following decades there continued to be debate about restoring this, the greatest of Scottish cathedrals, but by the late 1600s the cathedral's main role was as a quarry providing much of the building material for the subsequent development of St Andrews.

Today, what remains is rather fragmentary. A fair part of the magnificent precinct wall surrounding the cathedral can still be seen. Within it, you will find a portion of the west end of the cathedral, facing St Andrews, plus one nave wall, looking rather bleak, and the east gable.

To the south of the main cathedral, visitors today can still wander around part of the cloister or examine the graves unearthed under the floor of the chapter house. There is also an excellent visitor centre in the undercroft of the refectory, on the south side of the cloister.

rigoletto, siolaw, dip, AiresSantos, ChrisJ, Buin, bostankorkulugu, carper, andante, josepmarin, Charo, quillo, ElAprendiz, angie-barcelona, PixelTerror, Photo65Net, danos, fanni, keribar, axiotea has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

siolaw (25668) 2008-09-09 23:37

Hola Oscar
The English weather was not too friendly, to say the least, you nevertheless managed to get good detail sharpness and pleasant contrast level! it is surprising for me to see a cathedral in such a state... we have them well kept, mostly... and rebuilt, if destroyed by war!
Regards to you!
;D
Laurent

dip (12402) 2008-09-09 23:43

Hi Oscar,
a photo of an classic theme with the classic weather,but a very nice!
very well composed with excellent framing and good clarity too.
well done!
Dimitris.

InasiaJones (19707) 2008-09-09 23:53

Hi Oscarino,

My first trip to Europe was in UK, and Scotland was one of the most seductive place. I've return there 6 years later, because I had a great impression from the Highlands. St. Andrews was surely a memorable place along the way and I remember this cathedral's ruins very well.

I'm glad to see your photo for personal considerations, but aesthetically, it's also very interesting. The tormented sky and the low light convey the right mood for the subject and location. I don't know if you had to use a tripod or if you've opted to crank up the ISO, but it seems very sharp, even under these difficult light conditions.

You travel a lot and in very cool places.

Cheers!

André

AiresSantos (41178) 2008-09-10 0:34

Hola Oscar
Beautiful view of the Cathedral's ruins with the people there. They give us a scale
Fine colours taking in consideration the dark weather
Best Regards
Aires

rigoletto (25934) 2008-09-10 0:40

Ola Oscar,
The ruins of Scotland are legendary, and they really give good photos with green grass and a dull, greyish shy. You used this chance very well and made an attractive ruin photo. Did you check all your photos carefully for any spectres? :))
Rgs,
Deniz

stefanocer (10311) 2008-09-10 1:12

Quite impressive atmosphere here Oscar , good composition light and colours , well done.
Stefano.

ChrisJ (69396) 2008-09-10 2:01

Hola oscar

Even in ruins, the old cathedral is still an imposing sight. The overcast sky adds mood & atmosphere, & allows maximum shadow detail. Tfs.

Buin (36754) 2008-09-10 3:40

Hallo Oscar!
A great and very atmospheric photo taken from a skillful angle! In combination with your note an outstanding contribution to TE!
Greetings from still summerly Germany!
Frank

bostankorkulugu (33326) 2008-09-10 5:07

this one makes me wanna go to scotland... spend a weekend there in a depressive mood away from everyone... walk among these ruins... have beer and whiskey here and there... stay in a small hotel hanging on a cliff... watch the sea gulls pass by and fall a sleep...

thanks oscar, for the dream...

krkt:)

carper (63877) 2008-09-10 7:00

a very good one Oscar,
nice composition, fine balance and a good contrast I like it, have a nice evening.
regard Jaap

andante (7092) 2008-09-10 7:07

Hola Fiera,

A la verdad, que cuando te canseis de la informatica, podeis hacer de fotografo. Hacer una foto interante de una pila de piedras viejas toma conocimientos, y me gusta esta presentacion.
Una forca abracada amic,
Enrique

josepmarin (33561) 2008-09-10 9:20

Hola Òscar,
Un lloc molt maco i unes bones ruïnes, però allà no fa mai sol?
Encara que fos un ratet, que som mediterranis!
La foto és maca, amb la llum del dia ennuvolat, i amb la gent que dóna vida i una bona referència.
Bon record de les vacances, i bona foto.
Salut,
Josep
M'acaba de trucar l'Emile, ara se'n van cap a Venècia, fan el creuer i el dia 24 a la nit arriben a BCN. Em tornarà a trucar quam arribin, per quedar pel dia 25, que podem anar al Port Olímpic i dinar allà. Ja parlarem a veure quan et va bé a tú.

cherryripe (18794) 2008-09-10 14:45

Hola Oscar
Se nota que tuviste mal tiempo. No podias inventar un rayo de sol con photoshop ???
Vale son ruinas bonitas con un hierba tan verde alrededor.
Un saludo
Nikki
P.S. Estoy haciendo algo que tu no estas: mirando el partido de la seleccion mientras que escribo. Hay una cosa rara: la TVE internacional esta hechando el partido.

P.P.S.S.
Vas a cambiar tu D50 por el D90 ?

sacavem (8028) 2008-09-10 15:42

Olá Oscar,

The Cathedral?
Deveria ser uma bela catedral, é muito triste ver um monumento deste destruido pelo tempo...
Excelente encuadre con buenos detalles.
un abrazo,
Filipe

Charo (31651) 2008-09-11 3:19

Hola Oscar,
El tiempo no ha sido muy bueno en ninguna parte, por lo que veo, pero eso le da muy buena atmósfera a estas ruinas. Buena toma.
Saludos,
Charo

quillo (7060) 2008-09-11 13:14

-

Hola Oscar...... simple pero interesante y efectiva el encuadre bien equilibrado, los colores bien conseguidos, enhorabuena.

Saludos.

-

ElAprendiz (7370) 2008-09-11 18:53

Hola Tigre:

Ya podes dedicarte a la historia, palentología, o algo asi

El paso inclemente del tiempo se puede apreciar aqui. Un punto de vista equilibrado, buen encuadre y adecuado manejo de la luz.

Saludos, John

Cretense (54578) 2008-09-12 6:37

Hola Oscar!

Un fantastico catedral antiguo, y una gran toma. impecable encuadre y composicion, gran manejo de la luz, a pesar del cielo nublado! Felicidades!

Un saludo,
Hercules

angie-barcelona (1886) 2008-09-12 10:10

Hola Oscar,

la foto reflecteix molt bé l'ambient quan es passeja per St.Andrews... realment mira que feia mal temps... amb aquest cel... però s'ha de reconèixer que és un dels llocs millors d'Escòcia...

I l'explicació, sembles una enciclopèdia... Felicitats!!!

Gemma

pablominto (39848) 2008-09-12 23:04

Hello Oscar,

Probably once a proud piece of architecture, now reduced to a site of ruins!
But the story of a ruin is often more interesting than the story of a preserved church, so here too...
A well composed presentation, the point of view is effective and the details sharp!

Greetings,
Pablo -

PixelTerror (85994) 2008-09-13 2:01

Hola Oscar,
Worthless to wait for a service happening there on sunday, better go directly to the pub instead ;-)
From the arch style and its style relative to people it might have been impressive but today it's sadly ruined, good result given the weather.
Have a nice day JY

Photo65Net (43084) 2008-09-13 2:30

Hello Oscar,
Superb use of this dark light ton enhance architecture and create nice mood.
I like the result, beautiful job,
Have a nice week-end,
JB.

danos (31538) 2008-09-13 8:04

Hola Oscar,
Nice presentation of these ruins of St Andrews church.The general view is perfect that in combination with the sharpness and the clarity make the scene great.Very informative your note.Well done.

Have a nice weekend,Danos

fanni (8677) 2008-09-14 4:04

Hello Oscar,
excellent composition! the Cathedral (well yes, parts of it, of course) looks so grand in this almost mysterious lighting even despite the fact that these are only ruins; the spirit still remains.
I like this colour gamma; the blue-grey colour of the sky, the specific colour of the ruins and the green grass it create a special mood of the photo.
best regards,
Elena

keribar (42652) 2008-09-14 10:24

Hello Oscar,
I am very impressed by the picture in dull weather which seems to go with the sad story of the cathedral. In full sunshine it would not be so strong. In England and Scotland there are a lot of ruined abbeys and churches, probbaly so after the religion wars.
Yours friendly - Izzet

Colombiana (2540) 2008-09-14 20:16

Hola-hola Oscar !
Pues a mi si me parece que el tiempo si ayudo la foto--contradiciendo unos comentarios con respecto al clima. De hecho, me gusta mucho el ambiente tenebroso e inquietante para recordarnos de la antiguedad del lugar cuyo valor historico nos recuentas en tu nota. Ni que hablar de la composicion, los colores, exposicion y todo lo demas... esta chevere todo!
Maryori :)

PD: Aqui en Miami nos salvamos de Ike afortunadamente, solo trajo mucho viento; ese huracan se fue directo a Texas... y va viste en la TV el resto de la historia...

axiotea (15869) 2008-09-20 0:24

Olà Oscar
These ruins are amazing, especially the one with the towers, arches and stand well against the overcast and pleasant sky. The green grass is also an eye catcher.
Abraço
Marilyn

brevbrev14 (370) 2008-09-21 8:41

ciao Oscar!!! :))
a classic image....but well captured and with a great classic sky..cloudy sky better...
My brother loves your town...i am not sure but next year i would like to come back to Barcelona with osme friends..
ciao!
Valeria

beso gordo!

Greg1949 (8499) 2008-10-15 4:23

Oscar, this is a great shot. The sky really works well with the ruins, a clear blue background would be almost incongruous in this case. Colors are subtle and the detail is crisp, great capture.

Greg