Cathedral window damage will not impact Jutland commemorations

An inspection has been carried out at St Magnus Cathedral after a small piece of masonry fell from above the South Transept door late on Saturday night. This, said Orkney Islands Council, showed that the remaining stone is sound.

The curved piece of sandstone formed part of the surround of a small circular window.

A crane lifted a platform into place so that a team of three from Orkney Islands Council could check the rest of the window surround.

Darren Richardson, the OIC’s head of infrastructure services, said: “Another small piece of the window surround was removed as a precautionary measure. The inspection showed that the rest of the stonework around the window is sound.

“As a further precautionary measure, a temporary canopy will be put up over the South Transept door.

“We’re pleased that this will have no impact on Tuesday’s Battle of Jutland commemorations. Repairs will be carried out once the events are over.”