Cathedral commended at Scottish Parliament

It’s not every day that one is mentioned in the Scottish Parliament.

But that day has come for St Magnus Cathedral and our very own Cathedral Custodian, Fran Flett Hollinrake, when Orkney’s MSP Liam McArthur raised a motion on 28 October commending what must be Orkney’s most loved historical building – and the contribution that Fran, the Friends of St Magnus Cathedral and Cathedral Minister Rev Fraser Macnaughton make to the Cathedral and the wider community.

It comes off the back of the Cathedral being named as one of Europe’s Best 100 Cathedrals by respected church historian, Simon Jenkins, in his new book by the same name which lists the Cathedral alongside the likes of Canterbury, St Paul’s, Westminster Abbey and York Minster.

Councillor Gwenda Shearer is Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee: “I am absolutely delighted to see this acknowledgement of our much-loved Cathedral and the people entrusted with its guardianship and care, at the nation’s parliament.

“As a community we are so very lucky to have a raft of knowledgeable, passionate and professional people – within the Council and through the Friends and the church minister - looking after the Cathedral on behalf of the people of Orkney and supporting its role as a spiritual and cultural hub of the county.”

Cathedral Custodian and Visitor Services Officer, Fran Hollinrake said: “I think all Orcadians know this is a very special place and instinctively we want to nurture and protect it and share it with the world! And this is just another way the story of this remarkable building and the care and dedication it receives from across the community can be celebrated.”

Elaine Grieve, Chair of the Society of the Friends of St Magnus Cathedral, added: “This magnificent building has stood as a symbol of strength and resilience within and outwith the Orkney community for hundreds of years and it is fitting that it be the focus of the motion laid before the Scottish Parliament. There are many Friends across the world who have contributed to the preservation and maintenance of the Cathedral over the years who, like me, will be delighted to see it recognised and celebrated in this way.”

Reverend Fraser Macnaughton said: “It is so pleasing that the place of St Magnus Cathedral within Scotland, as the nation’s only representative in the book, is recognised and stands shoulder to shoulder with some of Europe’s most iconic buildings - and that the Scottish Parliament has recognised this accolade in passing the motion of acknowledgment and gratitude.”

You can read the full motion lodged by Orkney's MSP Liam McArthur on the Scottish Parliament website (also provided below) .

To find out more about the Cathedral being named one of Europe’s best 100 Cathedrals, read our recent press release.

MSP Liam McArthur's motion: Motion ref. S6M-01779

St Magnus Cathedral Recognised as One of Europe's Best

Submitted by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Date lodged: Thursday, October 28, 2021

Supported by: Ariane Burgess, Alexander Burnett, Stephanie Callaghan, Donald Cameron, Finlay Carson, Alex Cole-Hamilton, Sharon Dowey, Jackie Dunbar, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Stephen Kerr, Bill Kidd, Douglas Lumsden, Stuart McMillan, Emma Roddick, Douglas Ross, Paul Sweeney, Beatrice Wishart.

That the Parliament recognises that St Magnus Cathedral, in Kirkwall, Orkney, has been named as one of Europe’s Best 100 Cathedrals; notes that the Cathedral was founded in 1137 by the Viking, Earl Rognvald, in honour of his uncle St Magnus, who was martyred in Orkney; understands that it is known as the "Light in the North" as it is the most northerly Cathedral in the UK and the only surviving wholly-medieval cathedral in Scotland; acknowledges that St Magnus Cathedral is one of 15 cathedrals in the UK to be selected for the list, which was prepared by respected church historian, Simon Jenkins, alongside the likes of Canterbury, St Paul’s, Westminster Abbey and York Minster; commends the Society of the Friends of St Magnus Cathedral for their more than 60 years of dedicated preservation of the Cathedral, and thanks Cathedral custodian and visitor services officer, Fran Flett Hollinrake, and Cathedral Minister, Reverend Fraser Macnaughton, in particular, for their work and contribution to the Cathedral as well as the wider local community.