St Magnus Cathedral, built from red and yellow sandstone, is dedicated to Magnus Erlendsson, Earl of Orkney. The foundations were laid in 1137 and it took about 300 years to build. It is a fine example of a Romano-Gothic Cathedral.

St Magnus Cathedral was founded in 1137 by Earl Rognvald, nephew of St Magnus. When first built, the cathedral was part of the Archdiocese of Nidaros (Trondheim) in Norway. Orkney became part of Scotland in 1468, and a few years later, the cathedral was given to the people of Kirkwall by the Scots king, James III.

Restoration works took place in the 1850s and again from 1913-1930 following a large bequest from Sheriff George Thoms, when the present floors, woodwork, stained glass windows and spire were installed.

The cathedral structure is constantly monitored to safeguard this beautiful building for future generations. After the Scottish Reformation in 1560 the cathedral was used for Protestant worship. Today, the cathedral belongs to the people of Orkney and is looked after by Orkney Islands Council. It has a Church of Scotland congregation, and by arrangement can be used by any Christian denomination.

]]> This B listed church was completed by Alexander Ellis of Aberdeen in 1864. The building has recently undergone much restoration work including the preservation of the historic stain glass windows created by the renowned, great Gothic Revival architect Sit Ninian Comper.

The original bell from 1863 is now on display within the church.

]]> Open Doors Day provides a rare opportunity to see the unique medieval chapel in Cardross. In a peaceful rural setting, on a hillside overlooking the Clyde, it is still in regular use at the heart of its parish community.

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Parishioners will welcome all visitors to this beautiful chapel. It was built in 1467, and restored in 1955, on a site which has been a place of Christian worship since the 6th century. The site (and later the whole surrounding area) was named Kilmahew, identifying it as a Cill, or church, of St. Mahew, an early Celtic missionary and probably a follower of St. Patrick. The church and its surroundings have important religious significance: many visitors, including non-Christians, have commented on the deeply spiritual atmosphere.

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There are many notable historical and archaeological features. Visitors can see a remnant of a pre-Christian standing stone, as well as a stone kerb, carved with a Celtic design, from the 9th or 10th century. Recessed in the east wall of the building is one of the best preserved medieval Sacrament Houses still in existence. The original chancel arch divides the nave from the sanctuary and the 15th century Baptismal font has been restored to use.?

]]> Built in 1880 for the Church of Scotland and designed by John Lassels, the Church is described as flat Scots gothic with a wagon roof and hammer beam trusses. 

The building has been a Catholic church since 1990 and is the only church in Edinburgh to offer, exclusively, the Tridentine Latin Mass.

]]> St Margaret’s Catholic Church was built in the 1930s and replaced a Victorian corrugated iron building. A particular feature of the church is its Barnett & Sons stained glass windows. St Margaret’s has served the local Catholic community and the many visitors to South Queensferry for 135 years. The church has an interesting history tending to shale workers, builders of the Forth Bridges, navy staff from both World Wars and cruise ship visitors.

GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

St Margaret’s church has been available to the international workforces who built the Forth Bridges; also the many sailors and travellers from around the world, especially during both World Wars, and now from cruise ships.

ACTVITIES

A walking map of Queensferry and Dalmeny highlighting local attractions will be available.

http://www.queensferryheritage.org.uk/

]]> St Margaret�s Chapel forms part of the Gillis Centre and is a beautiful example of the work of Scottish Architect James Gillespie Graham, one of the leading architects of the 19th century. Gillespie Graham�s associate, Augustus Welby Pugin, had a significant influence on the design and is credited with several internal features including the High Altar and stained-glass windows.

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]]> A delicately detailed early 20C Tudor church by John Wittet of Elgin

]]> How to get there : Sinclair Street reached from Fleming Avenue off North Elgin Street off Glasgow Road. Easy disabled access.

B listed, set in landscaped garden. The church is famous for its revolutionary roof design and sunken sanctuary. It features mosaics depicting the life of St Margaret, Queen of Scotland.

A modern building within the same parish as Our Holy Redeemer. Although a little difficult to find, this church is a worthwhile visit as a complete contrast to the others in this programme. Clerestory lighting is achieved through the use of space framing.

http://ohr-sm.weebly.com/

]]> A picturesque red-brick church with a vaulted interior, designed in late Victorian Gothic style by eminent Dundee Architect Thomas Cappon in 1896, and featuring a variety of texture and colour, use of timber, and intricate window tracery. The church contains several interesting memorials and the 2004 hall extension constructed in matching materials fits perfectly with the original building.

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St Margaret's Episcopal Church, a grade A listed building, is considered to be one of Scotland's finest churches. It stands on a prominent raised site in the village of Braemar. It was built by Sir John Ninian Comper from 1899 to 1907 in the Gothic Revival style. The exquisite interior has many beautiful stained-glass windows and a beautiful intricately carved rood screen. There is also a chancel area. Comper is regarded as the most important British church architect of the 20th century. He was also an expert stained glass designer, creating windows for Westminster Abbey and churches in India, China, and America. St Margaret's is considered to be one of the finest examples of his work and is Category A listed. The SRCT is working with a group from the local community to repair and regenerate the building as a unique venue for the performing and visual arts in Royal Deeside. There will be guided tours up onto the tower to view the stunning surrounding landscape of the Cairngorms running from 11am - 1.00 pm both days.

]]> St. Margaret's was designed by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson and opened in 1896. It contains many interesting features including a reredos by Sir Hew Lorimer and stained glass by Willy Wilson and John Blyth as well as artwork by Jurek Putter which tells the story of St Margaret of Scotland. The pipe organ dates to 1872 and was constructed by G.M Holdich. The shrine of St Margaret of Scotland is housed in the Lady Chapel and contains a relic of St Margaret which was returned to Scotland from the Escorial, Spain in 1862. The relic returned to Dunfermline in 2008. It is housed in gothic reliquary.

]]> The ornate Spanish baroque tower, in three stages, on portico-like ashlar front, rising through square tower to concave-sided belfry topped by console crown, throws out an exotic invitation which is not denied by the saucer-domed interior of the rubble built octagon behind it. Beneath its lunette windows are seven contemporary Spanish religious paintings by the artist Romero Lopez, given by John Gordon of Wardhouse, whose family resided primarily in Spain. The altarpiece and stencilled decorations date from c 1902.

]]> Set inside an adapted series of granite buildings this school dates from 1846. Take this rare opportunity to tour the buildings and learn about the oldest continuously operating girl's school in Scotland.

]]> St Margaret’s Parish Church can be traced back to a Norman church on the site in 1165, which was destroyed in the Reformation. Rebuilding began in 1836 in the Scots Gothic style by William Burn, completed in 1837. Adjoining the Church is the hexagonal 15th Century St Triduana’s Well.

GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

Although, today, Restalrig is a small hamlet with a medieval chapel and well, and a tiny church, it has through the centuries, attracted people of international fame. St Triduana of Greece, James III, IV and V of Scotland, Richard III of England and the Cauvins from France all played a significant part in the history of the area.

ACTIVITIES

Guided tours of the Church, Chapel and graveyard. This includes St Triduanas Well, video presentation and photo display inside the Church. There will also be Music from St Margaret’s musical interludes throughout the day.

www. stmargarets-restalrig.co.uk

NB - the brochure states this venue is open on Sunday. This is NOT the case. The correct opening times are Saturday 10:00 - 16:00

]]> Scotland's first Coptic Church serves a congregation of people from 15 nationalities including Scottish, Irish, Egyptian, Swedish, Sudanese, Lebanese, Spanish and Korean. The congregation comes to Kirkcaldy every Sunday morning from all over Scotland to attend divine liturgy.
Converting Invertiel Parish Church in 1994 produced an astounding interior which will not fail to impress.

]]> St Mark?s church is a B-listed neo-classical villa-style building which was consecrated in 1828. The interior has some fine Greek Revival detailing and good quality stained-glass. The graveyard contains many monuments to military and naval officers based in Portobello during the 19th century. A small memorial garden has also been recently developed. The combination of a church placed in line with a gateway and with the churchyard in a formal arrangement is unusual in Scotland and unique in Edinburgh. Disabled parking available.

]]> The Church was designed by the distinguished Scottish architect David Bryce and built as a Unitarian Church in 1835. Unitarians do not generally embrace the concept of sainthood, and it is one of only two Unitarian Churches identified with a saint�s name, perhaps because, in 1835, there was a threat of litigation in English Courts that could challenge the rights of Unitarians to church buildings. Perhaps also the use of the �IHS� symbol on the sounding board that was formerly above the pulpit and on the bays above the Gallery, was part of this requirement. Behind the Baroque fa�ade there is a galleried U-plan interior with iron columns supporting the arched ceiling and allowing for an exceptionally and naturally well lit interior, which has Mannerist touches.�

]]> Whithorn, famous as the cradle of Christianity in Scotland,

For a twentieth century view, visit the church of St Ninian, St Martin and St John, by Goodhart-Rendel, Broadbent and Curtis.

]]> A one-off opportunity to see the former St Martin's Church before conversion into the Cathkin Braes Activity Centre. Find out about the significance of this modernist Gillespie Kidd & Coia designed building in its picturesque landscape during tours of the site.

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]]> St Martin�s Community Resource Centre is a recently sympathetically redeveloped community hub for the Gorgie Dalry area of Edinburgh. Built in the 1880s, this category B listed building has been, since the early 1980s, St Martin�s Episcopal Church. This last congregation still worships in the building, but it is also home to Gorgie Dalry Community Association and a host of community groups.
www.stmartinsedinburgh.org.uk
]]> Work began in 1843 with the church opening at 15 Buccleuch Street the following year. Alterations were carried out in 1879 when a side aisle (now a side chapel) was added on the south side of the chancel.

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This unusual church was designed by Gillespie, Kidd and Coia in 1960-1 and includes a presbytery to the rear. From outside the distinguishing features are the use of banded yellow firebrick, irregular rectilinear windows, deep wooden boarding and flat copper roofs. The entrance is through the low western aisle. Inside the rays of light from the clerestory windows play across the twin pillars that separate the aisle from the eight-bay nave. Deep laminated beams – a speciality of the Grangemouth firm of Muirheads – enrich the ceiling and are echoed by the pine pews. The baptistry provides a separate focal point.

The furniture is modern, with clean lines, presenting an uncluttered but warm space for the congregation.

]]> Celebrating its 175th year and benefiting from a period of sustained restoration. Built in the classic style it is the only church in the Archdiocese with a crypt and Celtic Football Club was started here in 1888 by Brother Walfrid.

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]]> Listed Category B, 1825, designed by William Robertson, Elgin. Simple rectangle with buttressed and crenellated street gable with flanking archways as additional decorative feature to frontage. Vaulted interior with green and white marble altar. Later hall and presbytery.

]]> An interesting modern Episcopal Church built in 1983 to replace the original St Mary’s which was demolished to make way for a new road. Light modern worship space retaining some of the original features from the previous building.

]]> Designed by architect TM Cappon, this Grade B Listed Building dates from 1886. The stained glass in the church dates from 1885 to 1950 and includes two windows from the Kempe Studio in London. The organ was installed in 1904, and is by John Miller of Dundee. The Rood screen figures were sculpted by William Lamb of Montrose and unusually depict Christ as beardless. Many visitors remark on a numinous feeling in the church.
https://stmaryschurchnewportontay.org/

]]> St Mary?s Cathedral is a ?B? listed historic building set in the centre of Aberdeen. It was built in 1860 and houses many interesting features including several stained-glass windows, two large mural paintings on either side of the main sanctuary and recent icon of the Merciful Christ

]]> The Song School, adjacent to St Mary?s Cathedral, is where the Cathedral choristers practice. The Song School walls are covered with murals by Phoebe Traquair (1852-1936), painted between 1888 and 1892. The murals include religious images, portraits of leading figures of the day and of the choir and clergy of the time, and images of the natural world. St Mary?s Cathedral is a masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture, designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott (1811-1878) and consecrated in 1879.

]]> The Chapel dates back to circa 1450 and features a stone vaulted ceiling, carved wood of 16th and 17th century, grave slabs, stained glass and other features. Wardens will be available to answer questions

]]> Dating from 12C there has long been a church on this site. The current building is listed category B. The T plan shape with its outstanding bellcast-roofed tower dates from rebuilding in 1764, of which little more than the tower survived a major fire in 1880 (rebuilt 1883 Wardrop and Reid).

]]> Completed in 1826 in gothic style, the church has a handsome sandstone facade and rubble walls of many coloured stones. It is adorned with pinnacled buttresses, fine traceried windows and a large central door leads into a porch from which one enters the spacious church.

Part of the ceiling of the present sanctuary, at the apex, is done in panels of azure blue with a stencilled design in the middle of each, depicting the medieval letter M. Stained glass windows light the elaborate interior.

Listed Category B.

]]> Designed by Peter Paul Pugin and opened in 1905. Late Gothic red sandstone church with a lofty vaulted interior, stone arches and angel corbels. Stained glass windows of note.

]]> This atmospheric churchyard, with old trees and wonderful old monuments, is the heart of mediaeval Banff. All that is left of the ancient church, demolished in 1797, is the 16C Banff Aisle. Entered through a finely moulded doorway, this vaulted fragment retains a late-Gothic mullioned window, and a splendid wall-tomb of the Ogilvies. Within the last year, it has been carefully restored and made safe.

]]> The Cathedral of St Mary's is a familiar landmark on the busy thoroughfare of Great Western Road. The 200-foot tall bell tower and spire of this Gothic Revival building is a stunning example of architect Sir George Gilbert Scott's work.

Following a period of turbulence and uncertainty for Episcopalians dating back to the 17th century, 1825 saw the opening of St Mary's Chapel in Renfield Street to accommodate a growing population. Later in the century, Sir George Gilbert Scott was commissioned to build a new church on Great Western Road for the congregation of St Mary's, and the result is open of the city's best Gothic Revival buildings, constructed by the finest craftsmen available and opened in 1871. The stain glass, part of an integrated sequence within the church, was designed by the studios of Hardman, Ward & Hughs and Clayton & Bell. St Mary's was consecrated in 1884, with the spire being added nine years later to the original tower. In 1908, in recognition of the church's growing influence and status, St Mary's became the Cathedral Church of the Scottish Episcopal Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway. After the Great War, refitting of the chancel was undertaken by the distinguished architect Sir William Lorimer. By the 1980's, St Mary's was in need of major refurbishment. Essential roof repairs were carried out in 1985, with restoration, repair and internal improvements taking place between 1989 and 1996. Externally the roof has been re-slated and the tower and spire repaired. Internally, the organ has been rebuilt, the font moved from the west door to the south transept, and the east end and crossing decorated with murals painted by Gwyneth Leech. Interior restoration has included the introduction of an alter and choir stalls in the nave, and a new porch completed in 2002 at the west end.

]]> Known locally as the Tartan Kirkie because of the polychromatic granite and sandstone masonry and the geometric patterns formed by the roofing slates.  

]]> Gothic in style, the church has a curiously insubstantial west-end owing to tall, narrow windows (the side ones are dummies) set in a gable front crowned by a pinnacled bellcote. The east end has three tall spaced lancets and enclosing hood mould. The Chancel is dated 1857, designed by W White of London. The glass dates from 1858 to 1945: the Mitchell window, by the pulpit, with bold blues is excellent.

]]> St Mary's Episcopal Church is in communion with the Church of England. The congregation was founded in 1847 and the building was completed in 1848. It has links with the Cameronian Regiment and some of their colours are on display in the church.

The church is also linked to the Dukes of Hamilton who were instrumental in its foundation.

Recent changes funded by the congregation and by various Charities have resulted in the development of the St Mary?s for All Centre to enable the facilities to be used for social and community purposes.

]]> This Gothic Arts and Crafts simple style church building, designed by James Miller and constructed by Hugh Kennedy, dates from 1892-3 and is Category C Listed. It was constructed by the quarry workers from the Aberfoyle slate quarry in their own time and for no pay. The church’s first congregation included many of these quarry workers who had come from Ballachulish and the Western Isles, a staunchly Episcopalian area of Argyll, who had settled in Aberfoyle to work in quarries here. This year there will be a Pure Brass concert at 3.00 on Sunday, admission to this is by donation. Disabled access. Doors Open

]]> New to Stirling’s Doors Open Days! This prominent gabled gothic

church was built to serve Dunblane, it is Category B Listed and dates

from 1843. It was designed by John Henderson, who designed over

fifty churches throughout Scotland. Still in use as an ecclesiastical

building, St Mary’s Church was consecrated by the Episcopal Bishop

of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane on 28th May 1845. Inside is the

original pipe organ. Come along and join in the activities on the day.

Disabled access.

]]> New to Stirling’s Doors Open Days! St

Mary’s Episcopal Primary School has

been on its present site since 1850. When

it was founded, there was no welfare

state and Churches were left to fill the educational gaps as best they

could and Henry Malcolm of St Mary’s Episcopal Church expressed a

fervent wish that the church should fund a school for poor children in

the parish. The ground was gifted by Kippendavie Estate.

During the Second World War the school building was used by the

army and the school was decanted. While not a Listed Building, the

school is in the Dunblane Conservation Area and it is historically

significant as the first self-governing primary school in Scotland. In April

2003 St. Mary’s returned to local authority control.

Tours will be given round the school.

Disabled access.

]]> The gothic fa�ade of St Mary�s Metropolitan Cathedral is all that remains of the much smaller St Mary�s Chapel designed by Gillespie Graham, 1814. After fire damage a rebuilding programme was undertaken by John Biggar in 1891. Recent additions include the organ by Matthew Copley in 2007 with its beautiful copper-flamed 32ft pipes, the largest organ to have been installed in Scotland in recent years, and the Parish Centre by LDN Architects in 2008 in the courtyard. For the bicentenary this year the church lighting system has been completely redesigned.�

]]> Based on a design used originally in Dundee and adapted by Andrew Wilson, it replaced the ruined church dedicated to St Mary (to be found in the middle of the old cemetery in Carmelite Street). It has undergone two radical alterations but the steeple, in a Gibbsian style by Thomas McKenzie, is well in keeping with Georgian Banff. The stately marble apse is 20C.

]]> St Mary's was completed in 1914 to replace the Auld Kirk at the Kirkintilloch Cross. Its impressive Gothic tower contrasts with the tapering spire of nearby St David's. It was designed by Messrs Clark & Bell of Glasgow.

There are many beautiful stained glass windows in the church, some by artist Gordon Webster. It also features a series of modern stained glass by Kirkintilloch artist Willie Rodger.

]]> A spectacular building and the longest Parish Church in Scotland, St Mary’s was built c. 1380-1450 in a beautiful setting beside the River Tyne. It was badly damaged by the English army during the Siege of Haddington in 1548, during the ‘Rough Wooing’. Marks of gunshots are still visible. The nave served as the Parish Church from 1561 until 1972 when the choir and transepts were re-roofed in a remarkable restoration project.

ACTIVITIES

There is a free concert by Andante Chamber Choir at 4pm on Sunday.

www.stmaryskirk.co.uk

]]> St Mary?s RC Church is a Gothic box with a pinnacled, lancet windowed fa?ade, designed possibly by Bishop James Kyle.

]]> St Mary's RC Church is a twin-aisled gothic church in blond sandstone, designed by the renowned architects Pugin and Pugin. The B listed church demonstrates the use of high quality materials, fine decorative finished and great attention to detail.

]]> In 1827, St Mary's, Inverness, was established as a Mission with Fr Terence McGuire as priest in charge. St Mary's Church opened on 2nd April 1837.

This beautiful building was the work of William Robertson, Architect, of Elgin. It is a very fine example of Victorian Gothic Revival. By 1888, to cater for ever-growing numbers, the Church was enlarged by the addition of a new Sanctuary, with a High Altar in Caen stone after the style of Peter Paul Pugin.

During 2014 and 2015, there was extensive internal decoration and refurbishment in the church. There re many fine new stained glass windows throughout the building, a re-ordered sanctuary with a new forward altar and reliquary, a new icon of the Presentation, and a new carved wood statue of St John Ogilvie.

Limited disabled access.

www.stmarysinverness.co.uk

tel 01463 233519

stmarysinverness@btinternet.com

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St Mary's was designed by Sir Ninian Comper to replace a classical church of 1797 which had been destroyed by fire. It is built in an Arts and Crafts style and was consecrated in 1904. It is A-listed.