From the crossing we can look straight into the South transept. There is a uniformity with the nave: the stone walling, yellowish vaulting, red carpet, stained glass windows, and here, memorials lining the walls. However, there is no interior porch shielding the South door. INDEX
S2. EAST WALL WM
The South wall has two single-lancet stained glass windows and several memorials. We look first at the windows.
S3. EAST WINDOWS WM WM
Left Window: This is by James Ballantine II of Edinburgh (1878-1920). It is a memorial to those members of the Congregation who fell in the Great War 1914-1918. An armoured soldier rests on his spear with a broken sword at his feet. The inscription reads: ‘They rest from their labours To the Glory of God and in memory of David Cowie, William Dingwall, James C Giffen, Thomas Grant, Donald Grant, John A Gillespie, James A Herd, John B Herd, William Herd, Thomas McCulloch, George McCulloch, Alexander Macleod Davis, Ross Thomas, P Ross, George Ross, John Ross, Who fell in the Great War 1914 – 1918. They loved not their lives unto the death.’ ••• Right Window: This is dedicated to Christina Annat Mackay, and is by Percy Bacon of London. It shows Christ with a mother and child as the main figures, with text ‘Suffer the little children to come unto Me’, while at the apex is an angel with a blessing ‘Benedicite’. The inscription reads: ‘To the glory of God and in memory of my mother Christina Annat Mackay, erected by C.A.Dalgleish.’
S4. EAST WALL MONUMENTS AK
We next look at the four monuments along this East wall, beginning at the left.
S5. DETAILS OF MONUMENTS AK (x4)
Monument 1: In memory of Walter Angus Bethune (1794 – 1885), born the son of Rev John Bethune DD of Dornoch, had an eventful and significant life in Tasmania, Australia. ••• Monument 2: Remembers the members of the 5th (Caithness and Sutherland) Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders who gave their lives in WWII. ••• Monument 3: This rather ornate monument declares that the remains of many of the Earls of Sutherland and their families were deposited in this transept. ••• Monument 4: Remembers the Rev John Bethune DD (1746 – 1816). He ministered here at Dornoch for forty years.
S6. TRANSEPT SOUTH WALL WM
The South wall of the transept has three lancet windows, and a memorial plaque is placed at left. We first look at the windows, from left to right.
S7. TRANSEPT SOUTH WINDOWS WM
Left Window: This is by Crear McCartney of Lamington, and is in memory of Mrs Pamela Lovell, a highly respected member of the community, golf club and cathedral congregation, who died 11 May 1988. The theme of this window is Christian Joy. The main figures are Jesus speaking to Simon, Mary and Thomas. The winding path symbolises the path of righteousness we are to tread, leading to the lighthouse at Tarbat Ness, the Light of the World. The heraldry at the top marks events in the life of Pamela and her husband Denis, the topmost arms being their own Scottish Coat of Arms. The vine binds Mary, the disciples, the Lovells and all of us to Christ Himself - ‘I am the Vine and you are the branches.’ The inscription reads: ‘I have told you that your joy be complete. John XV To the Glory of God And in memory of Pamela Lovell A gracious lady.’ ••• Centre Window: This is by Morris & Co 1931, and commemorates Rosemary Millicent, (daughter of the Cromartie, 4th Duke of Sutherland and Duchess Millicent) and her young son, Jeremy, both of whom died in accidents (she in an air crash and her son in a street accident while riding his cycle). The theme is ‘Samuel and the Angel’ and the faces are likenesses of those commemorated. The figures are seen against a background of Dunrobin and Ben Braggie, in the memorial garden Rosemary created for her son. The inscription reads: ‘And their souls shall be as a watered garden And they shall not sorrow anymore at all. To the blessed memory of Rosemary Millicent Daughter of the 4th Duke of Sutherland, KG and wife of Viscount Ednam, MC. Also her young son Jeremy John aged 7 Both passed over to God by disasters December 1929 – 1930. ••• Right Window: ‘Charity’ by G.Maile & Son of London 1947, is in memory of Duchess Eileen, 1891-1943, wife of the 5th Duke (elder daughter of the 7th Earl of Lanesborough). Dunrobin Castle, seat of the Sutherlands can be seen in the background near the top. The face of the woman is a likeness of the Duchess. The inscription reads: ‘Faith, Hope and Charity. The greatest of these is Charity.’ This window is erected to the Glory of God and in memory of Eileen Gwladys, Duchess of Sutherland, at rest 24 August 1943.
S8. JOHN BELL MONUMENT AND FRAMED NOTICE AK ••
This plaque is in memory of John Bell JP, died 1937 aged 62. He was an agent of the Bank of Scotland, Dornoch, and friend of the people of Embo.
S9. SOUTH LOBBY WM
The door in the South wall of the transept leads through to a small porch or lobby, opening to the outside. The lobby has a War Memorial brass plaque, as well as a small window on either side.
S10. LOBBY WINDOWS WM(X3)
The lobby window on the East wall is shown at left, the window on the West wall at right. A framed page gives some details about the windows which celebrate God in nature, and the wonders of his creation to be seen around Dornoch. The windows are a delight. Both windows are by Crear McCartney of Lamington, 1988, and are in memory of James Lorne Campbell (1955 –1985), Balblair, who died in a farming accident. They include (at the request of Campbell’s children) the family dog.
S11. TRANSEPT WEST WALL WM
Returning to the transept, we investigate the West wall. Here again we find two stained glass windows with brass plaques, and a number of monuments. We look first at the windows.
S12. WINDOW DETAILS WM WM AK AK
The window on the left is a memorial to W S Fraser. For 50 years, he was Procurator Fiscal for Sutherland. He was a banker in the town, a member of Dornoch Town Council for 67 years and Provost of the Burgh for the last 21 years of his life. The window was erected by his niece, Mrs Taylor The inscription reads: ‘Come unto me all ye who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. In memory of William Sutherland Fraser Born at Dornoch 18 June 1801 Died18th October1889.’ ••• The window on the right, by Percy Bacon & Bros 1904, was erected in memory of Jane Gilchrist of Ospisdale and dedicated by her daughter Katherine Witherby. The theme of this window is ‘God is Love’ and depicts the figures of the Madonna and Child. The style of the architectural setting is very similar to the window opposite on the East wall – by the same company of craftsmen. The inscription reads: ‘God is love In remembrance of Jane Gilchrist Born August 12, 1818 Died September 22nd 1902.’
S14. MONUMENTS AK WM WM AK
There are four monuments on this West wall. ••• Monument 1 remembers John Sutherland (1765 – 1836), his wife Mary Maxwell MacDonald, and their six children. ••• Monument 2 commemorates the men of this congregation who fell in the First World War. ••• Monument 3 remembers George Sutherland Taylor, 1796 – 1847. ••• Monument 4 is a memorial to Captain Kenneth MacKay (1757 – 1835), and contains a long eulogy relating to a life well lived.
S15. TRANSEPT MORTALITY STONE AK
This is the first of a number of mortality stones we shall find in Dornoch Cathedral. These stones depict symbols of death. They were originally found in the ruined nave of the Church, but have been incorporated in the walls for historical interest.