Cathedral laser scan project starts next week
A project to laser scan St Magnus Cathedral is due to get under way next week.
York-based IIC Technologies have been appointed to carry out the scan, which will be used to investigate and monitor the condition of the 12th century cathedral as well as allowing the creation of 3D models of the cathedral.
These models will form part of a major new exhibit on the history of Kirkwall.
The exhibit is included in OIC plans to regenerate Kirkwall’s town centre through the Townscape Heritage Initiative Scheme (THI).
The proposed exhibit would be centred around the cathedral and how it influenced the development of Kirkwall.
St Magnus Cathedral architect Andrew Boyce, from Edinburgh firm Ferrey and Mennim Ltd, told councillors previously that the scan would be of “enormous benefit” to the cathedral.
He said: “It would provide an incredibly accurate record of the state of the external and internal fabric visually, digitally and in three dimensions, allowing for any number of analyses of weathering, erosion, decay, build-up of moss, etc.
“This information could be used for any number of different projects and by a large variety of organisations, but specifically relating to work of the cathedral architect.
“For the wider public, and professionals, there is also a benefit in having an immediately accessible image of any part of the cathedral, including from remote computers and on the internet, which would support researchers, those undertaking repairs, or be used to tell the story of the cathedral.”