September 2007 - Tour of Orkney and the North
Orkney
St Magnus' Cathedral in Kirkwall is the most northerly cathedral in the British Isles. Founded in 1137 on the instructions of the Norse Earl Rognvald (Orkney did not become part of Scotland until 1468) it is built in the Romanesque style by the same Norman masons who constructed Durham Cathedral. Uniquely in Britain it actually has its own dungeon! On the instructions of King James III of Scots in 1468 the Cathedral is not owned by the Church of Scotland but by the City of Kirkwall and is one of the few British cathedrals to have survived the Reformation relatively intact (Glasgow being the only mainland mediaeval Cathedral to do so). Another "unique" for St Magnus' is that it is the only Cathedral in Britain whose bells can rung by only one operator using both hands and foot pedals - a Norwegian system known as "clocking"!
The choir returned here after a very successful concert in 2005 giving another full program, parts of which were recorded by BBC Radio for future broadcast. Recorded here are some of our own memories....
Click on an image to enlarge. Pictures by Matt Stimpson, Les Hill and Stephen McIlveney
Welcomed by the mysterious Old Man of Hoy
The interior of St Magnus' Cathedral, Kirkwall
Cameron rehearses before the concert, complete with nordic uniform!
Now you know why we call him "Fingers Murdoch" - they're moving too quickly for the camera!
Marilyn welcomes the audience
A favorite of choir and audience alike, Frances Docherty sings "Give Me Jesus"
Elaine McIlree sings Barber
Cameron prepares the audience for "Flower of Scotland"
Farewell to Stromness - click the image for more scenic views - page will open in a new window
More scenic views here
The Italian Chapel - click the image for more pictures - page will open in a new window
