livin' on a prayer

Did you know that Glasgow has a medieval cathedral?

And that Glasgow was a medieval city?

You don't really think of it that way, since
it became a major city only with the Industrial Rev.


And just this little bit of the city, east of the centre,
retains medieval structures [and very few of them at that].


And of course my scaffolding curse continued.
{Bringing gorgeous historic buildings obscured
by massive grids of metal to you since 2005.}


Ggow Cathedral, also known as the High Kirk,
is the only mainland Scottish cathedral to have
survived the Reformation of 1560 virtually intact.


And yes, it's black with the pollution left from
the days of heavy industry on the Clyde.


But the darkened stone contrasts with its pretty green roof.


Empty niches; reminders of the Reformation.


And we're inside.


It's just as dark as the exterior.


So they need lights inside.
{And that sg is modern aka I Do Not Care About It.}


Damaged pillar.
{I think this would make an amazing fabric pattern.}


My requisite cathedral view.


Stone rood screen.


From quire towards west front.


And in the quire, looking east.


It's probably the smallest cathedral I've been in,
but still marvel-worthy.


Esp. the gorgeous wood ceiling with painted bosses.


Woahhhhhh we're half way there.


Glasgow Cathedral is threadbare Union Jacks.


Sacristy.


Dates to the early fifteenth century.


Another pair of French boots taking Scottish steps.


Elephant drawing & heraldry.


Red Rose of Lancaster, representin' my girl Margaret Tudor.


Threadbare Again.


The Beast and [Unicorn], Adored.


Back into quire.


Shall we go down to the crypt ?


Darkness.


Light.


St. Mungo's Well.
{No he was not invented by Ms. J.K.
He is the legendary founder of Ggow.
The cathedral is said to have been built over his remains.
And supposedly a spring sprung up, hence the well.}


Part of St. Mungo's tomb/shrine.


Oh hey Netherlandish roundels.


So Scottish, lolz.


Last view of the crypt.


Back upstairs & Glaswegian heraldry.


Macabre.


The aisle ceilings are also amazing;
they have random heraldic badges and words.


You'd miss it if you weren't looking up.


Always look up in cathedrals.


And now for the true highlight in a dark cathedral.


Blacader's Aisle, built by Archbishop Blacader
of Glasgow in the late fifteenth c.


It displays one of the most amazing collections
of carved and painted ceiling bosses en Écosse.


And you can actually see them at close view,
which is so rare in medieval buildings.


Four Heads and a L.A.M.B.


Memento Mori.


Ugh what an amazing room.
Back up the stairs.


And into the main kirk.


Last look down the south aisle.


And now outside to the eerie kirkyard.


Ooh I just love Scottish graves.


They are literally just built up into walls.


And dark and weathered and creepy.










And sometimes caged.


Royal Infirmary & kirkyard wall.


What's that behind the kirk walls?
Glasgow Necropolis, of course.


I'm booked on a two-hour tour of it next week.
Look for that in a week or so!
xx