Visit to Glasgow Cathedral.

Glasgow Cathedral, also called the High Kirk of Glasgow, also called the Cathedral of St Kentigern, also called the Cathedral of St Mungo, is located quite near to Buchanan Street Bus Station, which gave me ample opportunity to explore it, when I had some time to kill between buses.

I had no idea how to get to the Cathedral, I asked a local chap, who worked at the bus station, ho to get to it. He had no idea, although he suggested that it may be along Cathedral Street, which as chance would have it, it was. I was delighted to approach the building from the direction of Cathedral Street, because one could clearly make out the Gothic spire in the distance. I was, to say the least, rather stunned when I approached this gloriously Gothic building, for I did not expect to find such a jewel in Glasgow, but be assured, dear reader, that the area in which the Cathedral is situated, leaves one in no doubt, that this is a "Reformed area", before you even reach the Cathedral doors, you are greeted with the "John Knox" museum, I did not venture in on this occasion, but I will be sure to put my beak in, the next time I have a chance. High above the hill behind the Cathedral is Glasgow Necropolis, on the summit of the hill is the "John Knox Memorial", in style rather similar to Nelson's Column, London. There he stands, the great Reformer, atop a perch peering down at the medieval Cathedral, inspiring Protestant thought, and defending the people from Catholic tendencies.

I walked slowly to the front of the Cathedral, the first thing one notices, is that there appears to be a lot of regeneration work on the outside of the Cathedral, for scaffolding and builders are there in abundance. I noted that above the main door, the West door, there appeared to be a portal, that displayed vandalism of the Reformation era, for you would expect to see in this portal, at least Christ in majesty with the just on one side, and the dammed on the other, not so on this particular façade, for it appears that hammer and chisel have taken that away.  It is at this point that I should add, that although I ma referring to the building as a Cathedral, it is not a cathedral, for it does not contain the throne of Bishop, rather the term Cathedral is used in it's historical context, for the building once was a Cathedral, indeed it is said to contain the tomb of St Mungo, "Ora pro Nobis", the alleged tomb serves as an altar in the crypt chapel, indeed I prayed there, in that most ancient of places.

I entered the Cathedral form the south side, and I was walked in, I was struck by the sheer space inside, I did not ask the Presbyterian in the Blue Geneva "ish" gown, to guide me, for I have an understanding of the places, and I knew where I wanted to go. First to the High Altar, then to the Sacristy, then to the crypt. Indeed the place was stunning, beautiful, magisterial, one could feel the centuries of Christian inspired worship in this place. The High Altar is beautiful, a shame that it is not used for it's intended purpose, then down I went to the crypt, which is worth visiting alone, for it is resplendent with medieval Gothic arches, ancient pillars, and all the glories of that past era, no wonder Sir Walter Scott wrote about in his novel of Rob Roy, indeed I would not be surprised to learn that the building somehow inspired his romantic vision of the middle ages.

I chanted a Kyrie Elison in the Lady Chapel, I wonder if that is the first time that Latin has been heard in those hallowed places, since the time of the Reformation, I really felt the ancient of days, present there with me, and I encourage all peoples, who visit Glasgow, to take the time to visit that place

                                               Looking down from the High Altar. (The Rood Screen)

                                                    The Tomb of St Mungo, Patron Saint of Glasgow