The following date-based events are associated with this building: |
| From | To | Event type | Notes |
 | 1508 | | Build/construction | Timberwork of tower and spire to be carried out. |
 | c. 1520 | | Build/construction | Ceiling of the nave |
 | 1812 | | Build/construction | Flanking lodges |
 | 1832 | | | N aisle altered, new session house, reconstruction of entrance lodges and gates |
 | 1867 | | | Repairs |
 | September 1868 | | | Reopened after repairs |
 | 1883 | | Alterations and additions | Alterations, including new east window |
 | 1926 | | Restoration | Restoration, including removal of plaster from walls |
 | 1928 | | Addition | Furnishings including tow panels of Gothic arcading and foliage trails with a ciborium chalice and host. |
 | 1947 | | | New east window |
 | 1953 | | Alterations and additions | New east wall within the crossing |
 | 1965 | 1973 | Restoration | Conservation and re-ordering |
 | 1976 | 1991 | Restoration | Restoration with fabric fully conserved |
The following individuals or organisations have carried out design/construction work. Where architects or practices worked together, matching letters appear beside their names in the Partnership Group column. |
| Name | Role | Partnership Group | From | To | Notes |
 | John Fendour | Wright | A | 1511 | | Timberwork of central tower and spire to be carried out by Fendour |
 | John Fendour | Wright | L | c. 1520 | | May have been responsible for the ceiling of the nave. |
 | Thomas French | Mason | L | Early 1500s | | South transept rebuilt on earlier base course |
 | George Jaffray | Architect, Wright | M | 1812 | | Flanking lodges |
 | John Smith | Architect | | 1832 | | N aisle altered, new session house, reconstruction of entrance lodges and gates |
 | (Sir) George Gilbert Scott | Architect, Architectural practice | B | 1867 * | | Advised on restoration of heraldic ceiling - his advice not fully taken (ceiling largely renewed) |
 | James Matthews | Architect | B | 1867 | | Repairs in consultation with George Gilbert Scott (his advice not fully taken - ceiling largely renewed) |
 | Matthews & Lawrie | Architectural practice | B | 1867 | | Repairs in consultation with George Gilbert Scott (his advice not fully taken - ceiling largely renewed) |
 | Daniel Macandrew | Architect | | Before 1868 | | Condition reports - probably prior to the restoration of 1867 |
 | (Sir) Robert Rowand Anderson | Architect | C | 1883 | | Alterations, including new east window. |
 | George Washington Browne | Architect | C | 1883 | | Alterations |
 | Wardrop, Anderson & Browne | Architectural practice | C | 1883 | | Alterations |
 | A Marshall Mackenzie & Son | Architectural practice | D | 1926 | | Restoration, including removal of plaster from walls |
 | Alexander George Robertson Mackenzie | Architect | D | 1926 | | Restoration, including removal of plaster from walls |
 | Alexander Marshall Mackenzie | Architect | D | 1926 | | Restoration, including removal of plaster from walls |
 | Alexander Marshall Mackenzie | Architect | O | 1928 | | Furnishings including tow panels of Gothic arcading and foliage trails with a ciborium chalice and host. |
 | A Marshall Mackenzie & Son | Architectural practice | E | 1947 | | New east window |
 | Alexander George Robertson Mackenzie | Architect | E | 1947 | | New east window |
 | John Gibb Marr | Architect | E | 1947 | | New east window |
 | A Marshall Mackenzie & Son | Architectural practice | T | 1953 | | New east wall within crossing |
 | Alexander George Robertson Mackenzie | Architect | T | 1953 | | New east wall within the crossing |
 | John Gibb Marr | Architect | T | 1953 | | New east wall within the crossing |
 | Ian G Lindsay & Partners | Architectural practice | K | 1965 | 1973 | Conservation and re-ordering |
 | Ian Gordon Lindsay | Architect | K | 1965 | 1966 | Conservation and re-ordering |
 | James Ian Haig Marshall | Architect | K | 1965 | 1973 | Conservation and re-ordering |
 | John Herdman Reid | Architect | K | 1965 | 1973 | Conservation and re-ordering |
 | (Professor Sir) James Duncan Dunbar-Nasmith | Architect | J | 1976 | 1991 | Restoration with fabric fully conserved |
 | Andrew P K Wright | Architect | J | 1976 | 1991 | Restoration with fabric fully conserved |
 | Graham Couper Law | Architect | J | 1976 | 1991 | Restoration with fabric fully conserved |
 | Law & Dunbar-Nasmith | | J | 1976 | 1991 | Restoration with fabric fully conserved |
The following books contain references to this building: |
| Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes |
 | Architects Engineers and Building Trades Directory | 1868 | Architect's, Engineer's and Building Trades' Directory | | London, Wyman | Entry for Daniel MacAndrew |
 | Gammie | 1909 | The churches of Aberdeen | | | pp1-4 |
 | Sharples, J, Walker, D W and Woodworth, M | 2015 | The Buildings of Scotland: Aberdeenshire South and Aberdeen | | London and New Haven: Yale University Press | pp175-7, 180, 182, 202 |
 | Spalding Club | | Heraldic Ceiling of St Machar's Cathedral | | | |
The following archives hold material relating to this building: |
| Source | Archive name | Source catalogue no. | Notes |
 | Edinburgh University Library | Anderson Collection (Plans and drawings) | | |
 | Historic Environment Scotland | Listed Buildings Register | 19957 | Cathedral |
 | Historic Environment Scotland | Listed Buildings Register | 19959 | Gate lodges |
 | Viewfield House, Old Perth Rd, Inverness (1990) | A Marshall Mackenzie & Marr Office List (held by John G Marr in 1960) | | |