Cathedral windows book proves a smash

Elder’s booklet on history of building’s stainedglass windows snapped up by buyers across world

Sales of a book on Brechin Cathedral’s stained-glass windows have gone global.

Church elder Archie Milne has been delighted with interest in the booklet which has gone to England, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, USA and South Africa.

The 72-page booklet includes details of all the 39 windows and the role played by Henry Holiday, who was a close acquaintance of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst.

The publication also gives details the window in Stracathro Church.

“Sales have been extremely encouraging to which the initial costs have now been met,” Mr Milne said.

“Any additional sales will result in funds towards the upkeep of the cathedral, or even to fund a reprint for supplies available in 2019, leading to the possibility of a comprehensive publication which will include more information on the history of our church over the past 800 years as we celebrate this anniversary in 2020.

“A possible inclusion could include a section on communion tokens and the collection by the Rev William Burns who

Sales have been extremely encouraging to which the initial costs have now been met.

of ARCHIE MILNE was the minister of Stracathro Church in 1964.

“This being a collection of tokens from various churches within Angus and the Mearns.

“Another section would concentrate on the Pictish Stones and other artefacts housed within the church.”

The windows are shown in full colour and detail the subject matter, giving references to both the artist and year of installation.

Included is a section giving information about the artists, the majority being Scottish including William Wilson, Douglas Strachan and David Gauld.

Gauld designed the windows at either side of the chancel while Strachan designed the war memorial window as a tribute to the 14 members of the congregation who perished in the First World War.

He was also commissioned to do the window in the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle, which has a similar theme.

“One of our congregation, as a wee girl, remembers William Wilson coming to Brechin when doing our windows and then visiting his sister who lived in St Andrews Lane in Brechin,” said Mr Milne.

“William Wilson designed 16 of the 39 windows in the church, including the window dedicated to St Andrew.

A booklet entitled Brechin’s Stained Glass Windows, published in 1956 by the late David Boath Thoms, gave me some information about the stories portrayed in each window.”

Copies of Mr Milne’s updated publication are available from the office, priced at £5.

Picture: Gareth Jennings. Archie Milne with a copy of his booklet in Brechin Cathedral.