Major conservation work begins at Glasgow Cathedral spire

Major works to protect the medieval spire of Glasgow Cathedral have started, bringing a visible change to the city’s skyline.

The three-year HES programme will see the head of the iconic 225ft spire carefully dismantled and rebuilt to repair damaged stonework and secure its long-term future.

A steel frame was added inside the spire in 1970 to help support the medieval masonry. Over time, the bolts that hold the frame in place have rusted and pushed against the stone, causing cracks and movement. This corrosion has been worsened by increased rainfall, highlighting the growing impact of climate change on historic buildings across Scotland.  

HES stonemasons have already begun carving replacement stones, while conservation teams will retain and reinstate as much original medieval fabric as possible during the rebuild.

The work will be delivered in carefully planned phases, with teams operating around weather windows and strict safety requirements for high-level work.

David Borthwick, Head of South Region at HES, said: “Glasgow Cathedral is a defining part of the city’s skyline and one of Scotland’s great medieval buildings.

“Conservation work to the spire has been ongoing, but detailed surveys have confirmed that the upper section of the spire must now be taken down and rebuilt to secure it for the future.

“Our teams are combining traditional craft skills with modern conservation expertise to tackle complex damage high above the cathedral roofline. It is challenging work, but it is essential if we are to protect as much historic stone as possible and keep this nationally important monument resilient in a changing climate.”

HES is also urging people to stay off the cathedral scaffolding after recent incidents of unauthorised access.

David continued: “As well as being extremely dangerous, activity like this disrupts conservation work, diverts our resources, and adds avoidable security costs. We would ask anyone who witnesses trespassing on the site or has any information about these incidents to contact Police Scotland.”

Glasgow Cathedral is the oldest building in Glasgow and the only medieval cathedral on the Scottish mainland to have survived the Protestant Reformation of 1560 virtually intact.

Dedicated to St Kentigern, also known as St Mungo, the present building originated in the 12th century, although much of what stands today dates from a major rebuilding in the 13th century.

The stone spire was constructed in the 15th century, replacing an earlier wooden spire destroyed by lightning in 1406.

The cathedral remained in use for worship after the Protestant Reformation and continues to serve as a parish church within the Church of Scotland, as well as playing an important role in civic and national life.

We're the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. We are at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future. Across Scotland, we investigate and record architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes and care for more than 300 properties of national importance. HES is also working with sector partners to deliver Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.

Historic Scotland, trove.scot, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle and Edinburgh Castle are sub-brands of HES.

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