GLENCRUITTEN
CATHEDRAL OF TREES
- Glencruitten Road, Oban PA34 4QB
Welcome to Scotland's only living cathedral
The Glencruitten Cathedral of Trees is situated just to the East of Oban in the midst of the Glencruitten Woods and is open all year round – just follow the red stone way markers.
It was laid out in 1921 by Alexander Mackay, the then owner of Glencruitten, who also planted the surrounding woodlands. He took as his model the old Cathedral in St Andrews, Fife. Planting trees was Mackay’s way of helping to restore the nation’s forests which at that time had been depleted through the demand for timber during the First World War. It was also a way of giving employment to local people, many of them ex service men returning from the trenches. As the trees grew and his beloved Cathedral took shape, it spoke to him of hope and the restoration of peace. These ideas remain the ongoing gift and message to today’s visitors.
Sadly, nearly 100 years on, the Cathedral has fallen into some disrepair but in 2016 a charity was set up: The Glencruitten Cathedral of Trees (SCIO) with the aim of restoring this unique site and making it available to the local community, visitors and pilgrims as a place of recreation and as a resource for learning and volunteering.
Welcome to Scotland's only living cathedral
The Glencruitten Cathedral of Trees is situated just to the East of Oban in the midst of the Glencruitten Woods and is open all year round – just follow the red stone way markers.
It was laid out in 1921 by Alexander Mackay, the then owner of Glencruitten, who also planted the surrounding woodlands. He took as his model the old Cathedral in St Andrews, Fife. Planting trees was Mackay’s way of helping to restore the nation’s forests which at that time had been depleted through the demand for timber during the First World War. It was also a way of giving employment to local people, many of them ex service men returning from the trenches. As the trees grew and his beloved Cathedral took shape, it spoke to him of hope and the restoration of peace. These ideas remain the ongoing gift and message to today’s visitors.
Sadly, nearly 100 years on, the Cathedral has fallen into some disrepair but in 2016 a charity was set up: The Glencruitten Cathedral of Trees (SCIO) with the aim of restoring this unique site and making it available to the local community, visitors and pilgrims as a place of recreation and as a resource for learning and volunteering.
Our Story
The Cathedral of Trees is our special place. It’s in the middle of the forestry. The nave and apse are made out of yew-trees, the stained glass windows are the colour of sunshine or moonshine filtered through pines, the roof is painted with rainbows and clouds and stars.”
-Anne Lorne Gillies, Folk Singer
your visit
When you arrive at the Cathedral you’ll be met by this diagram of the site that takes you on a journey into the history of the trees and their planting as well as a map to make your trip to the Cathedral as meaningful and personal as possible. We really hope to see you there.
Click image to view in full
