Although not an archdiocese until 1472, St Andrews was recognised as the chief see of the Scottish church from at least the 11th century. It came to be one of two archdioceses of the Scottish church, from the early 16th century having the bishoprics of Aberdeen, Brechin, Caithness, Dunblane, Dunkeld, Moray, Orkney and Ross as suffragans.
Origins
One Pictish king-list credits Óengus II, King of the Picts (died 834), as the founder of the monastery-church at St Andrews, but an obituary of a St Andrews' abbot is recorded in the Annals of Ulster for the year 747, around seven decades before this king ruled. The obituary of Túathalán, the abbot in question, constitutes the earliest literary evidence for St Andrews. It is possible that the church was founded during the reign of Óengus I, who had been ruling during this time.
The diocese continues the titles of three ancient Scottish dioceses. The Diocese of St Andrews was founded in 906 and was raised to an archdiocese in 1465. Throughout the Scottish Reformation the diocese continued under the auspices of moderate, Episcopalian reformers. From 1704 till 1726, the archbishopric was vacant, until it was recreated as the Diocese of Fife. In 1842, the diocese, no longer an archdiocese, was moved back to St Andrews and united with the Diocese of Dunkeld and Dunblane.
The name Dùn Chailleann means Fort of the Caledonii or of the Caledonians. The 'fort' is presumably that on King's Seat, slightly north of the town (NO 009 440). Both these place-names imply an early importance for the area of the later town and bishop's seat, stretching back into the Iron Age.
Dunkeld (Duncalden and variants in early documents) is said to have been 'founded' or 'built' by Caustantín son of Fergus, king of the Picts (d. 820). This founding likely referred to one of an ecclesiastical nature on a site already of secular importance. Probably originally constructed as a simple group of wattle huts, the monastery - or at least its church - was rebuilt in the 9th century by Kenneth I of Scotland (reigned 843–858). Caustantín of the Picts brought Scotland's share of the relics of Columba from Iona to Dunkeld at the same time others were taken to Kells in Ireland, to protect them from Viking raids. Dunkeld became the prime bishopric in eastern Scotland until supplanted in importance by St Andrews since the 10th century.
Dunblane (Scottish Gaelic:Dùn Bhlàthain) is a small cathedral town and former Royal burgh north of Stirling in the Stirling council area of Scotland. The town is situated off the A9 road which has been bypassed since 1991, on the way north to Perth. Its main landmark is Dunblane Cathedral and the Allan Water runs through the town centre, with the Cathedral and the High Street on the east side. Dunblane had a population of 8,114 at the 2001 census which grew to 8,811 at the 2011 census, both figures computed according to the 2010 definition of the locality.
The name Dunblane is sometimes said to mean "fort of Blane", commemorating an early saint (Old IrishBláán) who flourished probably in the late 6th century. His main seat was originally Kingarth on the Isle of Bute. He or his followers may have founded a church at Dunblane - it is likely that the cult of Bláán came there with settlers from what is now Argyll in later centuries. The earliest spellings of the name Dunblane are of the form Dul Blaan, the first element being a Pictish word for 'water meadow, haugh' which was borrowed into Gaelic. This is more likely a name than 'fort of Blane', given that saints do not usually have forts, while we have parallels to Dul Blaan in such Scottish place-names such as Dalserf, Dalmarnock and Dalpatrick, all of which commemorate saints.
Diocesan pilgrims joined together on the Fife Pilgrim Way from Ceres to St Andrews on 10th September 2021, led by guides Revd Alasdair Coles and Nick Cooke.
About 30 began the journey in Ceres, and with those joining along the way at stops at Craigtoun, Hallow Hill and Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church, we were about 60-strong by the time we reached All Saints' Episcopal Church for refreshments and Evening Prayer.
published: 13 Sep 2021
Diocesan Pilgrimage 2021 - Fife Pilgrim Way from Ceres to St Andrews
The die hards on the way from Ceres.
published: 10 Sep 2021
Diocesan Pilgrimage 2021 destination: Bishop Ian leads a service of Evening Prayer
Bishop Ian leads Evening Prayer at All Saints' Episcopal Church in St Andrews, our pilgrimage destination.
We are pilgrims on the way...
may we journey well
* To see highlights from throughout the day, visit this link on our Diocesan YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Lb5W-9clYU8
published: 15 Sep 2021
A Christmas message from Bishop Ian, December 2022
published: 19 Dec 2022
Diocesan Evensong 21st November 2021 with installations of Dean and Honorary Canons
St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane Diocesan Evensong held on Sunday 21st November 2021 at St Nininan's Cathedral in Perth. (To view in HD, click on the settings gear wheel near the bottom right of the video. To the right of 'Quality' click the arrow to select 1080 HD. Makes a BIG difference!)
During the service, the Very Revd Graham Taylor was installed as Dean; Revd Celia Matthews and Revd Kenny Rathband were installed as Honorary Canons; Revd Professor Trevor Hart was installed as Honorary Canon Theologian; and Dr John Ferguson Smith was installed as Honorary Lay Canon.
Revd Canon Kenny Rathband was also presented with a gift, and his wife Ruth, flowers, in celebration and appreciation of his time as Dean from 2007 to 2021.
Congratulations to all!
published: 22 Nov 2021
Diocesan PIlgrimage 2021 highlights - Fife Pilgrim Way
Diocesan pilgrims joined together on the Fife Pilgrim Way from Ceres to St Andrews on 10th September 2021, led by guides Revd Alasdair Coles and Nick Cooke.
About 30 began the journey in Ceres, and with those joining along the way at stops at Craigtoun, Hallow Hill and Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church, we were about 60-strong by the time we reached All Saints' Episcopal Church for refreshments and Evening Prayer.
To see the full reflections and prayers at each stop along the way, follow these links!:
Coaltown of Callange (Margaret Gray):
https://youtu.be/tbAIpS9aXYA
Kinninmonth Hill (Prof Alan Werrity):
https://youtu.be/gGO9aJRmnKc
Drumcarrow Craig (Revd Elaine Garman):
https://youtu.be/5aIJ0Z-Xdkw
Craigtoun Park (Revd Gerry Dillon):
https://youtu.be/KxXNQ7DJX3E
Hallow Hill (...
published: 14 Sep 2021
We have a new Deacon! Rachael Wright is ordained
Rachael Wright was ordained to the diaconate on Sunday 2nd October 2022 at St Ninian's Cathedral in Perth.
Bishop Ian sums up the day: 'The Church of God has been changed... we have a new Deacon!'
published: 05 Oct 2022
What is a Lay Reader?
Some Lay Readers in the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) discuss their Ministry and what it means in the Church, in their communities, and for them.
Conversations were filmed at the SEC Lay Readers Conference held 28th to 30th October 2022 at St Ninian's Cathedral in Perth.
published: 13 Dec 2022
Bishop Ian gives final blessing at Synod 2023
published: 22 Mar 2023
The Diocese Bids Carol Aitchison a Fond Farewell
This was the last Diocesan Synod Carol will attend in her role as Bishop's PA and Office Manager. Words and flowers and a gift and a card are not sufficient to express the immense gratitude and love we in the diocese have for her. But Bishop Ian does a pretty good job at trying to capture our thanks and appreciation.
Diocesan pilgrims joined together on the Fife Pilgrim Way from Ceres to St Andrews on 10th September 2021, led by guides Revd Alasdair Coles and Nick Cooke.
A...
Diocesan pilgrims joined together on the Fife Pilgrim Way from Ceres to St Andrews on 10th September 2021, led by guides Revd Alasdair Coles and Nick Cooke.
About 30 began the journey in Ceres, and with those joining along the way at stops at Craigtoun, Hallow Hill and Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church, we were about 60-strong by the time we reached All Saints' Episcopal Church for refreshments and Evening Prayer.
Diocesan pilgrims joined together on the Fife Pilgrim Way from Ceres to St Andrews on 10th September 2021, led by guides Revd Alasdair Coles and Nick Cooke.
About 30 began the journey in Ceres, and with those joining along the way at stops at Craigtoun, Hallow Hill and Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church, we were about 60-strong by the time we reached All Saints' Episcopal Church for refreshments and Evening Prayer.
Bishop Ian leads Evening Prayer at All Saints' Episcopal Church in St Andrews, our pilgrimage destination.
We are pilgrims on the way...
may we journey well
*...
Bishop Ian leads Evening Prayer at All Saints' Episcopal Church in St Andrews, our pilgrimage destination.
We are pilgrims on the way...
may we journey well
* To see highlights from throughout the day, visit this link on our Diocesan YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Lb5W-9clYU8
Bishop Ian leads Evening Prayer at All Saints' Episcopal Church in St Andrews, our pilgrimage destination.
We are pilgrims on the way...
may we journey well
* To see highlights from throughout the day, visit this link on our Diocesan YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Lb5W-9clYU8
St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane Diocesan Evensong held on Sunday 21st November 2021 at St Nininan's Cathedral in Perth. (To view in HD, click on the settings ...
St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane Diocesan Evensong held on Sunday 21st November 2021 at St Nininan's Cathedral in Perth. (To view in HD, click on the settings gear wheel near the bottom right of the video. To the right of 'Quality' click the arrow to select 1080 HD. Makes a BIG difference!)
During the service, the Very Revd Graham Taylor was installed as Dean; Revd Celia Matthews and Revd Kenny Rathband were installed as Honorary Canons; Revd Professor Trevor Hart was installed as Honorary Canon Theologian; and Dr John Ferguson Smith was installed as Honorary Lay Canon.
Revd Canon Kenny Rathband was also presented with a gift, and his wife Ruth, flowers, in celebration and appreciation of his time as Dean from 2007 to 2021.
Congratulations to all!
St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane Diocesan Evensong held on Sunday 21st November 2021 at St Nininan's Cathedral in Perth. (To view in HD, click on the settings gear wheel near the bottom right of the video. To the right of 'Quality' click the arrow to select 1080 HD. Makes a BIG difference!)
During the service, the Very Revd Graham Taylor was installed as Dean; Revd Celia Matthews and Revd Kenny Rathband were installed as Honorary Canons; Revd Professor Trevor Hart was installed as Honorary Canon Theologian; and Dr John Ferguson Smith was installed as Honorary Lay Canon.
Revd Canon Kenny Rathband was also presented with a gift, and his wife Ruth, flowers, in celebration and appreciation of his time as Dean from 2007 to 2021.
Congratulations to all!
Diocesan pilgrims joined together on the Fife Pilgrim Way from Ceres to St Andrews on 10th September 2021, led by guides Revd Alasdair Coles and Nick Cooke.
A...
Diocesan pilgrims joined together on the Fife Pilgrim Way from Ceres to St Andrews on 10th September 2021, led by guides Revd Alasdair Coles and Nick Cooke.
About 30 began the journey in Ceres, and with those joining along the way at stops at Craigtoun, Hallow Hill and Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church, we were about 60-strong by the time we reached All Saints' Episcopal Church for refreshments and Evening Prayer.
To see the full reflections and prayers at each stop along the way, follow these links!:
Coaltown of Callange (Margaret Gray):
https://youtu.be/tbAIpS9aXYA
Kinninmonth Hill (Prof Alan Werrity):
https://youtu.be/gGO9aJRmnKc
Drumcarrow Craig (Revd Elaine Garman):
https://youtu.be/5aIJ0Z-Xdkw
Craigtoun Park (Revd Gerry Dillon):
https://youtu.be/KxXNQ7DJX3E
Hallow Hill (Revd Anne Haselhurst):
https://youtu.be/V-M2kykhvaQ
Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church (Karen McClain Kiefer):
https://youtu.be/4s_q6ZOmZHo
Evening Prayer at All Saints' Episcopal Church (Bishop Ian Paton):
https://youtu.be/Ue9wa9jWH0Y
Diocesan pilgrims joined together on the Fife Pilgrim Way from Ceres to St Andrews on 10th September 2021, led by guides Revd Alasdair Coles and Nick Cooke.
About 30 began the journey in Ceres, and with those joining along the way at stops at Craigtoun, Hallow Hill and Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church, we were about 60-strong by the time we reached All Saints' Episcopal Church for refreshments and Evening Prayer.
To see the full reflections and prayers at each stop along the way, follow these links!:
Coaltown of Callange (Margaret Gray):
https://youtu.be/tbAIpS9aXYA
Kinninmonth Hill (Prof Alan Werrity):
https://youtu.be/gGO9aJRmnKc
Drumcarrow Craig (Revd Elaine Garman):
https://youtu.be/5aIJ0Z-Xdkw
Craigtoun Park (Revd Gerry Dillon):
https://youtu.be/KxXNQ7DJX3E
Hallow Hill (Revd Anne Haselhurst):
https://youtu.be/V-M2kykhvaQ
Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church (Karen McClain Kiefer):
https://youtu.be/4s_q6ZOmZHo
Evening Prayer at All Saints' Episcopal Church (Bishop Ian Paton):
https://youtu.be/Ue9wa9jWH0Y
Rachael Wright was ordained to the diaconate on Sunday 2nd October 2022 at St Ninian's Cathedral in Perth.
Bishop Ian sums up the day: 'The Church of God has ...
Rachael Wright was ordained to the diaconate on Sunday 2nd October 2022 at St Ninian's Cathedral in Perth.
Bishop Ian sums up the day: 'The Church of God has been changed... we have a new Deacon!'
Rachael Wright was ordained to the diaconate on Sunday 2nd October 2022 at St Ninian's Cathedral in Perth.
Bishop Ian sums up the day: 'The Church of God has been changed... we have a new Deacon!'
Some Lay Readers in the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) discuss their Ministry and what it means in the Church, in their communities, and for them.
Conversatio...
Some Lay Readers in the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) discuss their Ministry and what it means in the Church, in their communities, and for them.
Conversations were filmed at the SEC Lay Readers Conference held 28th to 30th October 2022 at St Ninian's Cathedral in Perth.
Some Lay Readers in the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) discuss their Ministry and what it means in the Church, in their communities, and for them.
Conversations were filmed at the SEC Lay Readers Conference held 28th to 30th October 2022 at St Ninian's Cathedral in Perth.
This was the last Diocesan Synod Carol will attend in her role as Bishop's PA and Office Manager. Words and flowers and a gift and a card are not sufficient to ...
This was the last Diocesan Synod Carol will attend in her role as Bishop's PA and Office Manager. Words and flowers and a gift and a card are not sufficient to express the immense gratitude and love we in the diocese have for her. But Bishop Ian does a pretty good job at trying to capture our thanks and appreciation.
This was the last Diocesan Synod Carol will attend in her role as Bishop's PA and Office Manager. Words and flowers and a gift and a card are not sufficient to express the immense gratitude and love we in the diocese have for her. But Bishop Ian does a pretty good job at trying to capture our thanks and appreciation.
Diocesan pilgrims joined together on the Fife Pilgrim Way from Ceres to St Andrews on 10th September 2021, led by guides Revd Alasdair Coles and Nick Cooke.
About 30 began the journey in Ceres, and with those joining along the way at stops at Craigtoun, Hallow Hill and Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church, we were about 60-strong by the time we reached All Saints' Episcopal Church for refreshments and Evening Prayer.
Bishop Ian leads Evening Prayer at All Saints' Episcopal Church in St Andrews, our pilgrimage destination.
We are pilgrims on the way...
may we journey well
* To see highlights from throughout the day, visit this link on our Diocesan YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Lb5W-9clYU8
St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane Diocesan Evensong held on Sunday 21st November 2021 at St Nininan's Cathedral in Perth. (To view in HD, click on the settings gear wheel near the bottom right of the video. To the right of 'Quality' click the arrow to select 1080 HD. Makes a BIG difference!)
During the service, the Very Revd Graham Taylor was installed as Dean; Revd Celia Matthews and Revd Kenny Rathband were installed as Honorary Canons; Revd Professor Trevor Hart was installed as Honorary Canon Theologian; and Dr John Ferguson Smith was installed as Honorary Lay Canon.
Revd Canon Kenny Rathband was also presented with a gift, and his wife Ruth, flowers, in celebration and appreciation of his time as Dean from 2007 to 2021.
Congratulations to all!
Diocesan pilgrims joined together on the Fife Pilgrim Way from Ceres to St Andrews on 10th September 2021, led by guides Revd Alasdair Coles and Nick Cooke.
About 30 began the journey in Ceres, and with those joining along the way at stops at Craigtoun, Hallow Hill and Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church, we were about 60-strong by the time we reached All Saints' Episcopal Church for refreshments and Evening Prayer.
To see the full reflections and prayers at each stop along the way, follow these links!:
Coaltown of Callange (Margaret Gray):
https://youtu.be/tbAIpS9aXYA
Kinninmonth Hill (Prof Alan Werrity):
https://youtu.be/gGO9aJRmnKc
Drumcarrow Craig (Revd Elaine Garman):
https://youtu.be/5aIJ0Z-Xdkw
Craigtoun Park (Revd Gerry Dillon):
https://youtu.be/KxXNQ7DJX3E
Hallow Hill (Revd Anne Haselhurst):
https://youtu.be/V-M2kykhvaQ
Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church (Karen McClain Kiefer):
https://youtu.be/4s_q6ZOmZHo
Evening Prayer at All Saints' Episcopal Church (Bishop Ian Paton):
https://youtu.be/Ue9wa9jWH0Y
Rachael Wright was ordained to the diaconate on Sunday 2nd October 2022 at St Ninian's Cathedral in Perth.
Bishop Ian sums up the day: 'The Church of God has been changed... we have a new Deacon!'
Some Lay Readers in the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) discuss their Ministry and what it means in the Church, in their communities, and for them.
Conversations were filmed at the SEC Lay Readers Conference held 28th to 30th October 2022 at St Ninian's Cathedral in Perth.
This was the last Diocesan Synod Carol will attend in her role as Bishop's PA and Office Manager. Words and flowers and a gift and a card are not sufficient to express the immense gratitude and love we in the diocese have for her. But Bishop Ian does a pretty good job at trying to capture our thanks and appreciation.
Although not an archdiocese until 1472, St Andrews was recognised as the chief see of the Scottish church from at least the 11th century. It came to be one of two archdioceses of the Scottish church, from the early 16th century having the bishoprics of Aberdeen, Brechin, Caithness, Dunblane, Dunkeld, Moray, Orkney and Ross as suffragans.
Origins
One Pictish king-list credits Óengus II, King of the Picts (died 834), as the founder of the monastery-church at St Andrews, but an obituary of a St Andrews' abbot is recorded in the Annals of Ulster for the year 747, around seven decades before this king ruled. The obituary of Túathalán, the abbot in question, constitutes the earliest literary evidence for St Andrews. It is possible that the church was founded during the reign of Óengus I, who had been ruling during this time.