The upper section of Glasgow Cathedral’s 15th-century spire will be carefully dismantled and rebuilt as part of a major three-year conservation project. The work follows the discovery that corroding components of a steel support structure installed decades ago have been damaging the medieval stonework.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES), which cares for the cathedral, has begun the project to protect the 225-foot (69-metre) spire, one of the most recognisable features of Glasgow’s skyline.
Detailed surveys found that bolts securing a steel frame installed inside the spire in 1970 have rusted over time. As the metal has corroded and expanded, it has pushed against the surrounding masonry, resulting in cracks and movement in the stone. According to HES, increased rainfall has worsened the corrosion, illustrating some of the challenges that a changing climate poses for historic buildings.
“Glasgow Cathedral is a defining part of the city’s skyline and one of Scotland’s great medieval buildings,” said David Borthwick, Head of South Region at HES. “Conservation work to the spire has been ongoing, but detailed surveys have confirmed that the upper section of the spire must now be taken down and rebuilt to secure it for the future.
“Our teams are combining traditional craft skills with modern conservation expertise to tackle complex damage high above the cathedral roofline,” Borthwick added. “It is challenging work, but it is essential if we are to protect as much historic stone as possible and keep this nationally important monument resilient in a changing climate.”
Preserving the medieval stonework
Photo by Marcok / Wikimedia Commons
HES stonemasons have already begun carving replacement stones for the project. Wherever possible, however, conservation teams intend to retain and reinstall the original medieval material when the upper section of the spire is rebuilt.
The work will take place in carefully planned phases over three years, with the schedule affected by suitable weather conditions and the safety requirements involved in working high above the cathedral.
Repairs have also been required at the top of the cathedral in the past. In 2013, Historic Scotland completed a £30,000 programme of work after corrosion damaged the spike at the summit and storms tore off part of the weathercock. The project also included repointing the steeple.
A 15th-century landmark
Engraving of Glasgow Cathedral from Theatrum Scotiae (1693).
Glasgow Cathedral is the oldest surviving building in Glasgow and the only medieval cathedral on the Scottish mainland to have survived the Protestant Reformation of 1560 virtually intact.
Dedicated to St Kentigern, better known as St Mungo, the present cathedral has its origins in the 12th century. Much of the surviving building dates from an extensive rebuilding during the 13th century, while later medieval additions included the central tower and spire.
The cathedral originally had a wooden spire, but it was destroyed by lightning in 1406. The present stone spire was subsequently constructed during the 15th century. Historic Environment Scotland describes the cathedral as one of the most important surviving medieval buildings in Scotland.
Despite the Reformation, the cathedral continued to be used for worship. Today it remains an active parish church of the Church of Scotland while also being cared for as a nationally important historic monument.
HES has also issued a warning following recent incidents in which people gained unauthorised access to the scaffolding surrounding the cathedral. “As well as being extremely dangerous, activity like this disrupts conservation work, diverts our resources, and adds avoidable security costs,” Borthwick said. “We would ask anyone who witnesses trespassing on the site or has any information about these incidents to contact Police Scotland.”
The three-year conservation project will result in a temporary change to Glasgow’s skyline as the head of the medieval spire is taken apart. Once the necessary repairs are completed, the surviving medieval stones will be reinstated alongside newly carved replacements.
The upper section of Glasgow Cathedral’s 15th-century spire will be carefully dismantled and rebuilt as part of a major three-year conservation project. The work follows the discovery that corroding components of a steel support structure installed decades ago have been damaging the medieval stonework.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES), which cares for the cathedral, has begun the project to protect the 225-foot (69-metre) spire, one of the most recognisable features of Glasgow’s skyline.
Detailed surveys found that bolts securing a steel frame installed inside the spire in 1970 have rusted over time. As the metal has corroded and expanded, it has pushed against the surrounding masonry, resulting in cracks and movement in the stone. According to HES, increased rainfall has worsened the corrosion, illustrating some of the challenges that a changing climate poses for historic buildings.
“Glasgow Cathedral is a defining part of the city’s skyline and one of Scotland’s great medieval buildings,” said David Borthwick, Head of South Region at HES. “Conservation work to the spire has been ongoing, but detailed surveys have confirmed that the upper section of the spire must now be taken down and rebuilt to secure it for the future.
“Our teams are combining traditional craft skills with modern conservation expertise to tackle complex damage high above the cathedral roofline,” Borthwick added. “It is challenging work, but it is essential if we are to protect as much historic stone as possible and keep this nationally important monument resilient in a changing climate.”
Preserving the medieval stonework
HES stonemasons have already begun carving replacement stones for the project. Wherever possible, however, conservation teams intend to retain and reinstall the original medieval material when the upper section of the spire is rebuilt.
The work will take place in carefully planned phases over three years, with the schedule affected by suitable weather conditions and the safety requirements involved in working high above the cathedral.
Repairs have also been required at the top of the cathedral in the past. In 2013, Historic Scotland completed a £30,000 programme of work after corrosion damaged the spike at the summit and storms tore off part of the weathercock. The project also included repointing the steeple.
A 15th-century landmark
Glasgow Cathedral is the oldest surviving building in Glasgow and the only medieval cathedral on the Scottish mainland to have survived the Protestant Reformation of 1560 virtually intact.
Dedicated to St Kentigern, better known as St Mungo, the present cathedral has its origins in the 12th century. Much of the surviving building dates from an extensive rebuilding during the 13th century, while later medieval additions included the central tower and spire.
The cathedral originally had a wooden spire, but it was destroyed by lightning in 1406. The present stone spire was subsequently constructed during the 15th century. Historic Environment Scotland describes the cathedral as one of the most important surviving medieval buildings in Scotland.
Despite the Reformation, the cathedral continued to be used for worship. Today it remains an active parish church of the Church of Scotland while also being cared for as a nationally important historic monument.
HES has also issued a warning following recent incidents in which people gained unauthorised access to the scaffolding surrounding the cathedral. “As well as being extremely dangerous, activity like this disrupts conservation work, diverts our resources, and adds avoidable security costs,” Borthwick said. “We would ask anyone who witnesses trespassing on the site or has any information about these incidents to contact Police Scotland.”
The three-year conservation project will result in a temporary change to Glasgow’s skyline as the head of the medieval spire is taken apart. Once the necessary repairs are completed, the surviving medieval stones will be reinstated alongside newly carved replacements.
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