St Machar's Cathedral
St Machar's Cathedral
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
382 reviews
Excellent
236
Very good
131
Average
11
Poor
2
Terrible
2
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claudio d
Viterbo, Italy41,919 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
The church (obviously no longer a cathedral, since it belongs to the Presbyterian rite) has very ancient origins (perhaps seventh century), but was rebuilt several times; the building that can be seen today is what remains of the one built between 1380 and 1520: what remains because at the end of the seventeenth century the entire eastern part (choir, cruise and transepts, with its central tower) was destroyed and was never rebuilt, so that the church ends with the end of the three naves. The two splendid and mighty towers of the facade are the oldest part and are also the most striking external architectural element; they seem more like towers suitable for a castle rather than a church. The overall external impact is significant, not only for the towers but for the overall Gothic structure; the presence of the large cemetery around adds further suggestion. The interior, which is accessed from the right side as the portal of the facade has been buffered, is sober, substantially devoid of decorations (very reminiscent of ancient Romanesque churches, if it were not for the widespread presence of the pointed arch) divided into three naves by columns holding pointed arches. The walls are in exposed stone ashlar, but once had to be plastered and frescoed. However, there are two details that immediately catch the attention: the artistic stained glass windows (the oldest, like the seven on the facade, date back to 1870) and the heraldic wooden ceiling of the nave, in which there are 48 coats of arms arranged on three rows of sixteen. Wandering around the church you can then observe other elements of some interest, such as several ancient burials or the War Memorial, as well as noticing some particularities, such as the different ceiling and the different windows that characterize the aisles; the organ is from 1890. The church is located in the north of Aberdeen (about 400 metres north of the University), in a sparsely urbanised area full of greenery and trees but which was once Old Aberdeen.
Automatically translated
Written August 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rhonda T
Puerto Aventuras, Mexico341 contributions
May 2022
Nothing special about this one. Even though we showed up within the time frame outlined on their website for opening hours, the caretaker tried to tell me it was closed. I pointed out the website information and he almost begrudgingly let me in. Once inside I was very underwhelmed. Much nicer cathedrals elsewhere.
Written May 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
null
Edinburgh, UK4 contributions
Sep 2021
A very beautiful cathedral with a quaint and peaceful atmosphere. The staff were most friendly and I got into a very good conversation with a particular staff member named David. We talked about the Heraldic Ceiling and discussed the arms in great detail. All in all a pleasant place to spend an hour.
Written September 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
smiler1956
Birmingham, UK602 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Visited whilst in Aberdeen, with my wife, son and Granddaughter. An amazing building with some wonderful stain glass window, and a newly refurbished balcony. The staff were informative, friendly and interesting. Well worth a visit.
Written September 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew303
Edinburgh, UK1,461 contributions
St Machar's Cathedral is located in Old Aberdeen, to the north of Aberdeen's city centre. This superb, very historic church is also the parish church for Old Aberdeen, with regular Sunday services. There has been a church on the site since the 6th century, but the current building largely dates from the 15th century. The 16th century ceiling (with numerous heraldic shields of European monarchs of the era) is particularly noteworthy. Open daily until 17.00 (16.00 in winter months).
Old Aberdeen also contains the main campus of the University of Aberdeen; it can be reached from the city centre by bus 20.
St Machar's Cathedral website: www.stmachar.com
University of Aberdeen website: www.abdn.ac.uk
Old Aberdeen community website: www.oldaberdeen.org.uk
Old Aberdeen also contains the main campus of the University of Aberdeen; it can be reached from the city centre by bus 20.
St Machar's Cathedral website: www.stmachar.com
University of Aberdeen website: www.abdn.ac.uk
Old Aberdeen community website: www.oldaberdeen.org.uk
Written April 20, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Murno
Angus, UK91 contributions
Jan 2013 • Solo
This is a lovely cathedral, impressive both from the inside and outside. The wooden ceiling is particularly interesting, boasting a large number (48) of heraldic shields. Housed inside is an interesting early Christian cross, surviving from an earlier church nearby. The graveyard is also very interesting, boasting a large number of graves, varying greatly in age and style. Well worth a visit.
Written January 30, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katarzyna1
Warsaw, Poland96 contributions
Dec 2012 • Family
One of the must to see places in Aberdeen. Historical building in the quiet environment constituting old city together with very close University of Aberdeen. There is no entrance fee but you can make a donation. There are leaflets in different languages (even Polish that is not a case in even the most popular places) so you can read all history that is very interesting. Lady selling post cards was very helpful and explained all additional questions.
Written January 5, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
donhawthorn
Ellon105 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
A historic cathedral which not only provides regular worship opportunities but is host to a series of musical and other events. For example The Bach Choir performs here. New minisiter is Rev Jane Barron, the first female cleric in a long and distinguished history. A well stocked shop with quality items is available and visitors are made welcome during the week. A detailed booklet reveals the mysteries of the magnificent heraldic ceiling and other features. Acoustics are first rate when hosting special events such as on Remembrance Sunday.
A living committed congregation. Bell ringers welcome you to this wonderful church.
A living committed congregation. Bell ringers welcome you to this wonderful church.
Written December 11, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alibali27
Grangemouth, UK557 contributions
May 2021 • Solo
Lovely old church. It’s open most days and is beautiful inside. It was lovely and peaceful inside and I was able to light a candle and say a prayer.
Written July 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ednamaymorrice
Aberdeen, UK82 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
Went along to the Christmas Eve watchnight service. Very last minute decision but an excellent one. The service was beautiful, the cathedral beautiful and the acoustics excellent.
Spent a good half an hour afterwards having a good look around the inside and reading about the building and its history. No one in a hurry to chase you out.
Made our Christmas Eve/Day.
Spent a good half an hour afterwards having a good look around the inside and reading about the building and its history. No one in a hurry to chase you out.
Made our Christmas Eve/Day.
Written December 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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