St Magnus Cathedral’s organ due to undergo major refurbishment

A tender document has been published for the major refurbishment of the organ at St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall.  

The Cathedral organ was built in 1925 by Henry Willis and Sons and is situated at floor level behind a decorative screen designed by George Mackie Watson. 

The organ receives regular maintenance to keep it in good working and musical order, but the last major refurbishment was over 50 years ago.  

This project will be completed in partnership with The Society of The Friends of St Magnus Cathedral (SCIO). 

Fran Hollinrake, Cathedral Curator states 

“The proposed restoration of the organ would ensure that it will remain in good order for years to come. The organ is a significant part of the cathedral’s culture, being used for regular worship, supporting the choir and congregational singing, and also for weddings, funerals, recitals, tree lightings, St Magnus Festivals, and more. The proposed refurbishment would establish the organ as a world-class instrument, and as well as local use, it might also attract organists who want to play it.” With the support of an organ specialist, the project has been valued at £500,000. 

A tender document has gone live on Public Contracts Scotland inviting expressions of interest to carry out the work. 

The deadline for submissions is the 31st of March at 12:00. 

Video of Fran Hollinrake, Cathedral Curator and Les Donaldson, Secretary to the Friends of St Magnus Cathedral talking about the organ and why the work needs done.

 St Magnus Cathedral was founded in 1137, and is of international significance. Built from local red and yellow sandstone, the cathedral is mostly Romanesque in style. 

It is dedicated to St Magnus, Earl of Orkney in the 12th century, at a time when Orkney was part of the Kingdom of Norway. He was killed on the orders of his cousin and rival Hakon, and many miracles were reported after this death. In 1137 Magnus’s nephew Rognvald began construction of the ‘fine minster’ in honour of his saintly uncle; Magnus’s relics remain interred in a pillar of the choir. The cathedral has stood firm against Reformers, Cromwellian troops and wartime danger, and is the most complete medieval cathedral in Scotland.