News Training Page
This will only be seen by trainees
Follow us
News/Events
Dornoch Cathedral
Church of Scotland
Dornoch
IV25 3SH
Services
Sunday at 11:00am
Sunday at 11:00am
_____
Interim Moderator
Rev. Alistair Drummond
01349 852480
_____
Locum Minister
Carol Anne Porter
07400 313303
_____
Session Clerk
Mrs Liz Manson
Lamington, Invergordon
IV18 0PE
07845 970923
Dornoch Cathedral
Church Of Scotland,
Dornoch
IV25 3SH
Session Clerk
07845 970923
Final Service for Kincardine Church
A final Service to mark the closing of Kincardine Church will be held on Sunday 13th October at 1.30pm. The Service will be led by Rev. Alistair Drummond, Interim Moderator, for the Dornoch Firth Parish.
The current building was consecrated on 14th January 1909 and united with Croick United Free congregation in 1910. The Church had a varied history during its lifetime and in 1999 in became part of the Presbytery of Sutherland.
There has been regular Services conducted in the church until the end of December 2023 when Kincardine, Croick and Edderton and Creich Church and Dornoch Cathedral were united in a new Union, the Dornoch Firth Church of Scotland on, 1st January 2024.
All are welcome to mark this historic occasion which marks the end of services in this place of worship. There will be time after the service to share memories and enjoy refreshments.
Dornoch Cathedral Tower | Last Chance for 2024
Dornoch Cathedral Tower opens from 11am to 12.30 on Wednesday 25th September (the last market day) for the final opportunity to see Dornoch Town from the high parapet looking over the Firth, north to Ben Bhraggie and west to Struie hill and Dornoch Bridge.
Get there early and be at the front of the queue. Take time to view the beauty of the Cathedral and admire the stained glass windows.
Cathedral Tower Door View
What is the view beyond this door?
This is the last parade of the Dornoch Pipe Band and the last Saturday the Cathedral Tower is open for 2024.
Get there by 7.30pm to be ahead of the queue.
Golf event on October 5th aims to raise funds for the Cathedral
ROYAL Dornoch Golf Club and Dornoch Cathedral share a heritage dating back hundreds of years.
Clergy lured north from St Andrews are credited with bringing golf to the Highlands.
As 2024 marks the 800th anniversary of St Gilbert laying the foundation stones, the ancient Cathedral is responding to a financial crisis.
[Golf event application form click here]
Now, the world-famous golf club is playing its part in a major fundraising drive.
On October 5, the Struie Course is hosting an event which will benefit the Dornoch Firth Parish and the Cathedral fund.
Neil Hampton, general manager at Royal Dornoch Golf Club (left), the Rev Carol Anne Porter and fundraising committee convener John McMurray launch a charity golf day to support the Highland Cathedral.
The event is being sponsored by Morrison Construction, the company building the new clubhouse, which is on target for a 2025 opening.
A four-person team challenge has been teed-up, with prizes for the top three, along with rewards for a hole in one, nearest the pin and the longest drive.
The £70 per head entry fee includes pre-round tea/coffee and a bacon roll and a one-course dinner.
In addition to a raffle, a range of items will be auctioned, including golf and in-demand whiskies.
Entry forms can be secured from fundraising committee convener John McMurray via johnmcmurray1400@gmail.com and 07801496609.
The Rev. Carol Anne Porter, locum minister, said: “We are so pleased to have support from Royal Dornoch Golf Club.
‘The club’s generosity will help us ensure the Cathedral stays open and in the best condition possible for all those who, in visiting or sharing in worship here, find peace and perspective.
“We are grateful to everyone involved organising and participating in the event.
“I’m sure it will be a memorable and enjoyable day among friends old and new.
“We are also delighted that through the support of Royal Dornoch, our main sponsor for this event is Morrison Construction, the contractors building the new clubhouse.”
Neil Hampton, general manager at Royal Dornoch, noted that the town had been built on the Cathedral and golf.
“It was worrying to learn that the Cathedral is facing financial challenges, and the club is eager to back the fundraising campaign,” he said.
“I’m confident the autumn golf day will be well supported, and some fabulous items have been secured for the raffle and the auction.
“The Cathedral dates to 1224 and, with a Grade A listing, it is regarded among Scotland’s most historic church buildings.
“The Cathedral and the golf courses are vital to the economic wellbeing of the town, attracting visitors in their droves every year.
“There have always been close ties between the church and the golf club, with several past captains serving as ministers, and local members and visitors worshipping at the Cathedral.
“Written evidence of golf being played here dates to 1616 and historians believe it was brought north from St Andrews by visiting clergymen.”
Dornoch Cathedral was at the heart of a media storm in 2000 when Madonna and Guy Ritchie chose it for the christening of their son, Rocco.
Ten years later, entrepreneur Elon Musk and Hollywood actress Talulah Riley were married and left the church in a horse-drawn carriage.
Earlier this year it emerged that a shortfall of more than £50,000 was anticipated in the kirk finances, posing a threat to the future of a popular tourist attraction staffed by volunteers which is also used for concerts and events, in addition to worship.
Parish Fundraising Golf Day
Meal and Prizes: Saturday 5th October
There has always been a strong link between the Church and Golf in Dornoch and we are very grateful to have access to Royal Dornoch’s Struie Course for a fund-raising golf day in aid or Parish funds. You get a bacon roll on arrival and a meal after golf. There are numerous fourball prizes plus a £500 prize for the first Hole in One. Also, you get your Golf, plus a Meal & Prizes for £70 (Teams of four £280) when the green fee is normally £90. Start getting your team organised and Saturday 5th October in your diary.
For more information: John McMurray, email address johnmcmurray1400@gmail.com, Mob 07801496609
[for application form click here]
Nomination Committee (elected to be responsible for the search for a permanent parish minister)
On Sunday, 7th July 2024, at a Congregational Meeting, the following people were elected on to the Nomination Committee for Dornoch Firth Church of Scotland, with office bearers appointed as noted at their first meeting held on the 9th July.
We wish them every blessing in their task ahead and ask that you keep them in your prayers.
John Calder ( Convenor)
Alasdair Mackay (Vice-Convenor)
Ann Creed (Clerk)
Morag Macaskill
Carol MacLean
Jeani Hunter
Willie MacKay
Kim McCarthy
Susan Messem
John Gunn
Rhona Macaskill
Mhairi Mackay
Tracy Aldridge-Russell
While the Nomination Committee begins its work, Carol Anne continues her ministry as our much appreciated locum minister. We hope that she finds refreshment and rest in her holidays and we look forward to her return.
Notice to appoint Nominating Committee
The following notice was read out at yesterday’s service (Sunday 23/6/24) and will also be read next Sunday:
Notice is hereby given that a meeting of this congregation of the Dornoch Firth Church of Scotland will be held in Dornoch Cathedral on Sunday July 7th at the close of morning worship for the purpose of appointing a Nominating Committee. The service will commence at 11am as usual.
At that meeting, the congregation shall be invited to elect 11-13 people, who are on the Electoral Roll of this congregation of Dornoch Firth Church of Scotland to serve on the Nominating Committee. If you wish to propose anyone to serve on the Committee you may do so at the meeting providing the person has indicated a willingness to serve. Any candidate must have a seconder.
The first meeting of the Nominating Committee is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 9th July at 7:00 pm in the West Church Hall.
The task of the Nominating Committee will be to take responsibility for all the administration, researching of applications, listening to possible candidates whilst preaching and then to nominate one person to this congregation of Dornoch Firth Church of Scotland to be the new minister.
I encourage all members and adherents on the Electoral Roll to attend.
Rev Alistair Drummond
Interim Moderator
WORSHIP ACROSS DORNOCH FIRTH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND PARISH
Minister Led Services across the parish in July
CONCERT: Restoring Scaramella – The Hortus Choir
On Friday, 21st June at 7.30pm in Dornoch Cathedral. Doors open at 7pm: ALL WELCOME
Dornoch Cathedral is the venue for a most special musical performance of Obrecht’s Scaramella mass, written in the late 15th century, by the Hortus Choir. Only two of the four voice parts survives intact, the other two having been lost.
However, composer and musicologist Fabrice Fitch, drawing on his extensive knowledge of the music of the time, has painstakingly reconstructed the mass although not precisely as Obrecht originally wrote.
Hortus is a new choir singing one voice per part and specialising in early music. We are very proud to present in this programme the first time that this mass has been heard in the UK for at least 525 years (or possibly ever!).
Royal Troon Open Tickets Donation
A generous Royal Dornoch member has donated 2 tickets for Thursday 18th July. A ticket for Thursday would normally costs £95 but none are available – SOLD OUT.
The anonymous donor wishes the money to go towards supporting Dornoch Cathedral. There is transport direct from Glasgow to The Open.
Email your bid to whookmackay@gmail.com with a closing date Tuesday 25th June unless an exceptionally high offer is made.
Cathedral Concert by Badenoch Chorale
Badenoch Chorale are performing in Dornoch Cathedral on Sunday 9th June at 6.30pm.
Entry by donation to Cathedral Funds.
DORNOCH FIRTH: WHERE ARE WE NOW?
A lot of background work has been going on in the new Parish over the last few months. The new Kirk Session has met 4 times and the webpage and Facebook page have been amended to show the name of our new Parish, a logo has been agreed (as below) and new email addresses for the Session Clerk Team and the Treasurer have been completed. Finance accounts have been merged and a committee structure is being developed so that everyone can play their part. The Electoral Roll has been completed. A Parish Profile is being prepared.
The Kirk Session voted at their meeting on the 22nd April to depart from the Church of Scotland’s position on Ministers in a Civil Partnership or Same Sex Marriage Act 1 2015.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Our next stage is to seek a new minister of Word and Sacrament.
A Nominating Committee of 13 will be appointed in the next few weeks and you are asked to give prayerful consideration around who might be suitable for this role.
The finalised Parish Profile will be circulated to the Kirk Session and to Presbytery for comments in the next few weeks. Once this is done an edict will be read to the congregation on 2 separate weeks, after which the Nominating Committee will be formed.
A Vision and Mission Statement is being prepared.
HOW WILL A NOMINATING COMMITTEE BE FORMED?
The Committee will be formed from representatives from all 3 former parishes. There has to be an odd number on the Committee, up to a maximum of 13. Candidates must be on our Electoral Roll, agree to stand and have a proposer and a seconder, who are also on the roll. There will be a Congregational Meeting held to elect representatives.
Rev. Alistair Drummond will take over as Interim Moderator on 3 June 2024
We hope this information sheet will be helpful in keeping you up to date in our procedure to appoint a new minister to Dornoch Firth Church of Scotland.
GIFT DAY FRIDAY 31st MAY 10.30am – 3pm in DORNOCH CATHEDRAL
Dornoch Cathedral is not only a place of worship and a sanctuary for many, it is much much more than that. Irrespective of whether or not you attend services, for many of you it’s where you were married, where your children were baptised and where you expect your funeral service to be. It’s a concert venue, it’s been a graduation venue for the UHI, it’s the place where the schools come to for their Christmas service, it’s the heart of the town.
For those of who are saying that it’s none of those things to them, keep reading….
The Cathedral is one of the main visitor attractions in the town. It attracts literally thousands of visitors annually. These thousands of visitors are the people who stay in your accommodation, eat in your cafes and restaurants, drink in your bars and buy goods and souvenirs from your shops.
If the Cathedral were not open as a place of worship it would be shut, end of story. Nobody would buy it or take it on as it is so expensive to run and, because it’s a grade A listed building, it would be almost impossible to get permission to alter or to get a change of use granted.
We are in the sad position of running on empty financially.
Does that threaten the future of the Cathedral? As a Church community no, it doesn’t, we have another building that we can use.
Does it threaten the Cathedral as a building, as a community resource, as a visitor attraction, as a concert venue? Yes, it most certainly does.
As you will know we have been without a permanent minister for some years now. We are now in a position to advertise for a permanent full time minister – except that the permission to do this is threatened by our financial position. Even if permission to advertise is upheld, it would be rare minister who would apply to a church in such a poor financial position.
Currently the Cathedral costs £394 PER DAY to keep open.
Our regular current income is £247 PER DAY.
We are looking at a shortfall of just over £53,000 for 2024.
Our new fundraising committee are working hard to narrow this gap but we need you to help.
Please consider coming along to Gift Day on Friday 31st May in the Cathedral, 10.30am to 3pm, and giving what you can. Teas, coffees, cakes and fellowship will be waiting for you.
If you can’t join us, you can give online by bank transfer to Dornoch Firth Church of Scotland, sort code 80-06-36, account number 06002380, reference Gift Day, or by sending a cheque made out to Dornoch Firth to Kim McCarthy, Gashagaich, Dornoch, IV25 3NH.
Or donate online here (please choose ‘Gift Day’ when you post your contribution – thanks.)
If a financial contribution isn’t possible, please consider helping us fundraise with either ideas, practical help or moral support – come along for a tea or coffee anyway, you will be most welcome.
Dornoch Firth News for June/July 2024