Research carried out by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has provided clues about the mysterious past of Edinburgh's St Giles' Cathedral.
Previously not much was known about the bell tower which sits on top of the famous landmark on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, but now analysis of tree ring data carried out on timbers used to build the tower has revealed some hidden secrets.
The Herald reports that research may even suggest that the real reason the tower was constructed was to impress the Pope - and this is why.
Despite being erected in 1124 by King David I, St Giles' Cathedral did not achieve its status as a "collegiate" church until 1467 under Pope Paul II.
And now it is thought that the famous bell tower on top of the cathedral may have been built in an attempt to try and woo the Pope into granting the status.
Before the analysis of the towers' timbers was revealed, not much was known about the purpose or the date in which the tower was erected.
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But now it has been revealed that the tower was likely constructed between 1460 and 1467 at a time when St Giles' was being renovated to achieve "collegiate" status.
The study has also revealed that the trees used to build the impressive stature, were the same ones used to built parts of the Chapel Royal at Stirling Castle.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) commissioned Dr Coralie Mills of the South East Scotland Oak Dendrochronology project (SESOD) to conduct the research and she has described how making the discoveries have been the "highlight of her career."
