(01224)485988

office@stmachar.com

Wheelchair Accessible

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Visitors

Visitors to the Cathedral

Everyone is welcome

You don’t have to be a member of the congregation to be welcome at St Machar’s. The building is open every day of the year. Visit this historic church as a tourist or join us for a Sunday Service or on special occasions. Or simply step in and take a moment for reflection and prayer.

Opening

Hours

1 April to 31 October
Monday - Saturday

9:30 am - 4:30 pm

1 November to 31 March
Monday - Saturday

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Sunday

12:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Services at 11am & 6pm

Essential Information

Cathedral Address: The Chanonry, Aberdeen AB24 1RQ.

Parking: there is adequate parking in the Chanonry along two sides of the graveyard.  Parking charges apply between 10 am and 4 pm on weekdays, but the charges are very low. 

Bus: there is no bus service to the door, but services 1, 2, 19 and 20 all come from the city centre to the vicinity. The city centre bus stops are on the north side of Union Street. On services 1, 2, and 19 alight at St Machar Drive. On service 20 alight at the Old Town House. The 20 stop in Old Aberdeen is closest, but the other services are more frequent. 

Walking and cycling: the Cathedral is approximately 2 miles north of the city centre. 

Group Visits: If you would like to book a guided group visit, contact office@stmachar.com.

School Visits: To arrange a school visit, contact the Education Officer at education@stmachar.com. You can find more information here.

 

When you arrive

Every visitor is given a printed guided tour of the Cathedral which provides basic information. There is also a Guide for children and a children’s section on our touch-screen display. 

The most important feature of the building is the ceiling decorated with 48 coats of arms representing Christendom as it was in 1520 when the ceiling was erected. A touch screen display allows closer inspection, as well as providing information about the windows and the history of the church.  

There are very limited toilet facilities; there is a toilet in an adjacent building for wheelchair users. 

Shop

The shop is small but has a varied stock to suit different tastes. The range of items changes with the seasons and religious festivals.   

We have greeting cards and prints from local artists, fused glass decorations and ornaments made in Aberdeen and other local hand-crafted items. 

 Prayer cubes with Celtic verses, olive holding crosses from the Holy Land and stone Celtic angels are some of our popular religious gifts. Coasters, cards, bags and porcelain hangings with various images of the Cathedral are also extremely popular as is the St Machar’s choir music CD. Books of Scottish interest often feature on the stall and several authors have a connection to the Cathedral. 

There are no refreshments, but there is confectionery from Fair Trade ranges and a local supplier who makes traditional boiled sweets with names like Soor Plooms. 

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Support Our Mission

In this country most churches and the church buildings are kept going by the giving of their members. Historic churches such as St Machar’s also benefit much from the generosity of visitors. When you visit St Machar’s please give something, out of gratitude for what you have seen. In the Cathedral there is a large donation chest and there are three card readers. You can also donate on this site. 

Donate Today
office@stmachar.com
01224 485988
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Opening Hours
1 April to 31 October
Monday - Saturday

9:30 am - 4:30 pm

1 November to 31 March
Monday - Saturday

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Sunday

12:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Services at 11am & 6pm

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  • The Cathedral Church of St Machar
  • The Chanonry
  • Aberdeen
  • AB24 1RQ
  • Scotland
Wheelchair Accessible
© Copyright St Machar's Cathedral
Scottish Charity Number: SC008157
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