4 mins

Cathedral celebrations

Thomas Baldwin reports on the milestone anniversaries for two Church of Scotland cathedrals.

Thomas Baldwin

TWO of Scotland’s historic cathedrals reach significant anniversaries this year.

In Edinburgh, the iconic St Giles’ Cathedral, ‘Mother Kirk’ of Presbyterianism, is celebrating the 900th anniversary of its foundation by King David I in 1124. Celebrations have already begun with the performance of a specially-commissioned choral work last year and a ‘Burns and Beyond’ installation to coincide with Burns Night, and will continue with a series of events throughout 2024.

Meanwhile, two hundred miles north of the capital, Dornoch Cathedral is marking the 800th anniversary of St Gilbert – then Gilbert de Moravia, Bishop of Caithness – starting work on the building in 1224. Celebrations will be centred around the Easter weekend, and include a visit from the Moderator of the General Assembly.

For both cathedrals, the anniversary is a chance to celebrate the past, but also to reflect on their place in the modern life of Scotland and to look to the future.

St Giles’ Cathedral, on the Royal Mile, has been at the centre of the life in Edinburgh for 900 years. It has witnessed much of Scotland’s turbulent history, surviving the turmoil of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms and becoming the centre of the Scottish Reformation as John Knox’s parish church.

“ Loving and fiercely loyal to her children and siblings her creative, resourceful, and industrious attitude permeated all her activities.

Major renovations in the 1800s may have changed its mediaeval character but the 161-foot spire has remained unaltered since the fourteenth century. In the past couple of years, St Giles’ has played its part as the national Church of Scotland, with the Lying-in-State of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Honours of Scotland Service for His Majesty King Charles III.

Anne Whiteford, convener of the St Giles’ 900 Committee, says: “Caring for the cathedral and making sure this iconic building remains an active place of worship and a dynamic centre which celebrates our heritage and culture, is a key part of our 900th anniversary. This is quite a challenge with increased costs for insurance and heating not to mention a footfall of well over one million visitors in 2023.

“Engaging with the wider community is also a focus for our 900th anniversary celebrations. Among a number of largescale projects that are planned we are delighted to be working in partnership with Zoë Irvine, an artist primarily working with sound, to record conversations on themes of belonging and connection, with people across the city of Edinburgh. These will used to create a sound installation which can be experienced in the cathedral, launching in August and available through the rest of the year. This is a key part of our 900th anniversary celebration to reach out to people of all ages, backgrounds and faiths across the city and hear their stories, now and for the future.”

Among the other plans for the year are the premiere of the final composition in the St Giles’ ‘Choirbook’, a series of five new works by Scottish composers for choir and organ. Sir James MacMillan’s Jerusalem Jubilate will be performed on Saturday June 8.

Artist Sheana Stephen, a member of the congregation, has been commissioned to create a new set of banners and pulpit fall, which will be installed and dedicated on St Giles’ Day, Sunday September 1.

Anne adds: “We have been challenged by our Interim Moderator, the Rev Dr George Whyte, to respond to ‘A High Calling’: appropriate for the congregation of the High Kirk in the High Street. We are being challenged to have ‘high ideals’ for what it means to live a Christ-like shared life, set ‘high ambitions’ for what can be done for Christ’s cause in the parish, the city, the nation and the world; fulfil ‘high aspirations’ to engage meaningfully and purposefully with people of all faiths and none, so that we can realise ‘high hopes for the future’ developing a thriving, growing community of faith and ensuring a lasting legacy of commitment, confidence and care for this historic building.”

Dornoch, on the east coast of Sutherland, was built on the land of St Gilbert de Moravia, using his own money. Begun in 1224, the first service was held in 1239 and it was complete by the time of his death in 1245, except for the nave which was added 200 years later.

Almost completely destroyed by fire during the Reformation in 1570, the building was partially restored in 1616 by Sir Robert Gordon, and finished by Elizabeth, Duchess-Countess of Sutherland, between 1835 and 1837. Among the features of interest are the gargoyles in the eaves (at one time thought to have been evil spirits driven out of the Cathedral by the ringing of the tower bells); and three stained glass windows donated in memory of the Scottish philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who often summered at his nearby estate Skibo.

Newly united with the Kyle of Sutherland churches – Creich, Kincardine and Croick – to create Dornoch Firth Church of Scotland, the Cathedral combines its life as a busy parish church with being an attraction for tourists from all over the world. The building is open all year round, and during the summer a team of volunteers is in place to welcome visitors and answer questions.

St Giles’ Cathedral

Credit: Peter Backhouse

Anniversary events at Easter will include the Moderator preaching at Easter Sunday worship, an Easter morning sunrise service at the beach (at 6.35am), a celebration Songs of Praise, treasure hunt, labyrinth and flower festival. Then in the summer, members of the congregation will recreate the walk of St Gilbert from Halkirk, near Thurso on the north coast to Dornoch, after he decided to establish the seat of the diocese there.

Liz Manson, who is part of the Session Clerk team of the united Dornoch Firth Church of Scotland, says the Cathedral is: “A home, one big family and not only the centre of the local community but the heart.”