The Scotsman

A leading expert on Scotland's historic buildings has refused to condemn the wreckers who destroyed ancient churches across the country during the Reformation. The great cathedrals in St Andrews and Elgin, as well as Kelso Abbey, "which must have been an extraordinary church", were among those reduced to rubble. But John Hume, a former chief inspector of historic buildings and the author of a new book, Scotland's Best Churches, said: "They were doing what they felt they ought to do. Every generation has to make its own contribution. Sometimes that involves destruction as well as construction." Mr Hume travelled the country visiting and photographing hundreds of churches for the book, which has been published by Edinburgh University Press.