Our WINDOWS - For a variety of reasons (including wars with England, the reforming zeal of the late 16th century, and the fact that glass is a fragile substance) there is very little mediaeval stained glass remaining in Scotland - and none in St. John's Kirk.
What we do have, is a wonderfully representative collection of the
work of outstanding stained glass artists - men and women - of the
20th century. There are two Victorian windows, only one of which is
now visible. It was dedicated in 1894, and is the work of Alexander
Ballantyne, with opaque colours and in an earlier style of stained
glass. The other window by Stephen Adam & Son was installed in
1898, but is now hidden by the organ casing. A booklet about the
windows - "Through a glass brightly" - is available and can
be bought in the Kirk.
The great east window is the work of Douglas Strachan and was installed in 1920. It portrays the Crucifixion, the Last Supper, and John the Baptist. The brilliant colours and careful composition for which Douglas Strachan is known are evident here. Another window in the Kirk by the same craftsman was unveiled in 1947 and has the Adoration of the Magi as its theme.
