Edinburgh: St Giles' Cathedral Church of Scotland, Holy Cross Aisle

The Nativity; Presentation in the Temple; The flight into Egypt; Disputation with the doctors

Window of three trefoil-headed lights arranged in two stages with tracery.

This window depicts scenes from Jesus Christ’s life and ministry.

Upper Stage:
This stage depicts the Nativity scene.
Lancet 1: The Shepherd’s paying tribute to the Christ Child.
Lancet 2: The Holy Family.
Lancet 3: The Kings offering gifts to the Christ Child.

Lower Stage:
Lancet 1: This light depicts Jesus Christ being presented to Simeon in the Temple.
Lancet 2: This light depicts the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt.
Lancet 3: This light depicts Jesus Christ in the Temple with the Rabbis.

Inscription:
Tracery: The Angels are holding banners with text. ________

Dedication:
‘In Memory of James Monteith Merchant Calcutta/ Born at Thornhill 1807 Died at London 1872/Erected by his Brother Duncan Monteith 1874.’

This window was installed in 1874.

Artist/Designer:
Noel Paton and Robert Hardman designed the Scheme

Firm/Company:
James Ballantine and Son and supervision by Robert Hardman

James Ballantine and Son: (James: 1808-1877, Alexander: 1841-1906, James: 1878-1940) The founder James, was born in Edinburgh. He was apprenticed to a house-painter as a young man and had few advantages in the way of education. He later campaigned for the education of apprentices beyond the craft/trade they were learning. He also mixed paints as a young man for David Roberts, a scenic artist at the Theatre Royal. He continued by apprenticing in Stained Glass and established his own business with George Allan in 1837. James was out spoken in leading the Stained Glass design aesthetic in Scotland and was incredibly prolific. His son Alexander took over the firm in 1877, he then trained his son James, who took over the firm in 1906.