St Andrews Cathedral

On a plan of the town from about 1531, a chancel appears, and seals affixed to the city and college charters bear representations of other buildings attached.

The cathedral was finally completed in 1318 and featured a central tower and six turrets; of these remain two at the east and one of the two at the western extremity, rising to a height of 30 metres (100 feet).

In June 1559 during the Reformation, a Protestant mob incited by the preaching of John Knox ransacked the cathedral; the interior of the building was destroyed.

St Rule's tower is located in the cathedral grounds but antedates it, having served as the church of the priory up to the early 12th century.

Originally, the tower and adjoining choir were part of the church built in the 11th century to house the relics of St Andrew.

Built in grey sandstone ashlar, and (for its date) immensely tall (33 m), it is a land- and sea-mark seen from many miles away, its prominence doubtless meant to guide pilgrims to the place of the Apostle's relics.

The tower was originally ascended using ladders between wooden floors, but a stone spiral staircase was inserted in the 18th century.

William de Lamberton , Bishop of St Andrews who rebuilt and dedicated the cathedral in 1318
A speculative reconstruction of the cathedral's appearance prior to its abandonment
St Rule's Tower and remains of Eastern wall of later Cathedral, as seen from the former courtyard on 12 June 2023
Recent view of the St Rule's Tower, remains of Eastern wall of later Cathedral, and the graveyard beneath, 10 October 2022.
The ruins of the nave of St. Andrews Cathedral
Remains of the arcade that used to support the main hall of the cathedral in the Middle Ages.
Archway over main west door, St Andrews Cathedral
Historic view of St Andrews Cathedral
The St Andrews Sarcophagus.
St Rule's tower
The Whyte-Melville memorial, St Andrews
The view from the top of St. Rule's Tower
The Eastern Cemetery, St Andrews, looking south to the bay