Interior of St. Machar's Cathedral, Old Aberdeen, showing the east end.

The date of this photograph is uncertain. Though the features shown give some indication of its age.

St. Machar Cathedral's organ, by Henry Willis & Sons of London, was sited prominently in front of the east window, that shown in this photograph, from its inauguration in September 1891 to its restoration and movement to its current location in around 1928.

This image is not terribly clear but the organ does not appear to be present in front of the east window. This suggests the photograph dates from after 1928.

The shown window, with its relatively ornate, foil tracery, was replaced with a smaller and simpler design which was finish and dedicated in 1953.

A newspaper article from The Scotsman of 21st September 1953, page 5, detailing the dedication, states that the old window, that shown here, was "regarded by many as the only unpleasing feature of the cathedral" and that it had been badly damaged during a WW2 air raid.

The structure obscuring part of the east window in this image is thought to be a patching of this bomb damage. Alternatively, it could be blinds being used to reduce morning sunlight that came through these clear glass panes.

Architect A. G. R. Mackenzie redesigned the window, building up either side of the arch in stone, and leaving three narrow windows. These featured stained glass designed by William Wilson of Edinburgh and had the theme of The Passion of Our Lord. This remains the window seen at St. Machar at the time of writing in 2026.

The reconstruction work was funded by a bequest by Florence Crombie of Parkhill, Dyce, and the window was in memory of her husband, Dr. James Edward Crombie, who had died in 1932.

The presence of the old east window in this image indicates that the photograph is pre-1953. With the absence of the organ, this suggest this photograph dates from between 1928 and 1952.

Location

Old Aberdeen

Keyword

Churches

Photographer