Future of organs

Scotland has some of the finest 19th century church organs in the world. However, there is currently no strategy or legal protection to preserve them for the future use they deserve when church buildings close. Elsewhere in Europe, historic organs are legally protected as complete instruments. In Scotland however, only the visual aspect of organs, such as organ case and frontal pipes, is protected by local councils’ planning departments or Historic Environment Scotland. The remainder of the instrument is at the mercy of the building’s owner.

These much-loved and valuable heritage assets are still capable of producing excellent music and giving pleasure. As more church buildings are released, so good pipe organs will become increasingly available. Almost eighty ‘relocations’ (including to other countries) have taken place in the last twenty years. A successful relocation can take time: purchase prices may be minimal but dismantling and relocation costs can be significant. In addition to details of currently available redundant pipe organs, a useful booklet on the care, conservation, repair, and replacement of pipe organs is available from the Scottish Federation of Organists Advice Committee (via the website www.scotsorgan.org.uk) to whom general enquiries are welcome.

Pipe organs, which have made music to the glory of God in fine churches for well over 100 years, are valuable. Careful consideration should be given to their preservation.

Robin Bell, Cupar, Fife