Built as Brechin monastery by King David I in the mid-12th Century, Brechin Cathedral dates, in parts, to the 8th and 9th Century. Over the years improvement works, as well as periods of neglect, have considerably altered the original structure, though recently work has been undertaken to restore it to its Mediaeval appearance.
The round tower, an example of the Irish type and one of only two remaining in Scotland, was originally free standing but was incorporated into the cathedral during the 13th Century. Standing 26m (85 feet) in height, it is characterised by windows high in its walls, and a small doorway only accessible by ladder and therefore heightening its defensive capabilities.
