Open to visitors
Monday - Saturday
1 April to 31 October 9.30 am to 4.30 pm
1 November to 31 March 10 am to 4 pm
Sunday 2.00pm to 5.00pm
500TH ANNIVERSARY OF HERALDIC CEILING COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE 2ND OCTOBER 2022
On Sunday 2nd October 2022, a very special service was held in St Machar’s. It is a little over 500 years since Bishop Gavin Dunbar, on the authority of Pope Leo X, installed our unique Heraldic Ceiling, containing the Coats of Arms of the Scottish nobility, the Church Hierarchy and the crowned heads of the countries which then supported the Holy Roman Empire. This strong statement of faith and political power has survived all the religious and other changes and remains a unique historical artefact.
To celebrate the anniversary the service will be ecumenical with participation from the Catholic and Scottish Episcopal Churches. In addition, two anthems which have been composed specially for this occasion will be sung by the choir. One is the work of Sir James MacMillan, and the other was composed by Professor Paul Mealor.