Brechin - Cathedral

It is possible that a Pictish hermit built an early Christian cell on the site in the late 6th or early 7th century. The monastic Order of the Culdees were active in the area from the mid-9th century at the latest. The earliest confirmed evidence is from the late 10th century, when King Kenneth II built a monastery there.

The round tower still standing today was probably built in the late 11th century. Round towers are extremely rare in Scotland, but were common in Ireland at the time, suggesting that the Irish-born Culdees were the builders. In the mid-12th century, King David I established the Bishopric of Brechin. Construction of the cathedral began shortly after 1200, and was largely completed during the tenure of Bishop Gregory (+ 1246). The cathedral was probably built on the site of a 10th-century Culdeer church. By 1225, the parish of Culdees had been dissolved or converted into a cathedral chapter.

The only thing that is certain is that the round tower belongs to the church of Culdeer. The 26.5 m high tower has a diameter of five meters.