Mirth, madness and St Magnus…

Orcadian author Paul Sutherland will launch his new book, Mirth, Madness & St Magnus, today, with a book signing in The Orcadian Bookshop.

The book tells the story of Sheriff Thoms — the man who can be credited for saving the St Magnus Cathedral from falling into ruin.

Sheriff Thoms was an eccentric bachelor who left a fortune in his will for renovations to the cathedral. However, his family contested the will and the sheriff’s ‘bizarre’ lifestyle became the subject of a court case in Edinburgh.

The book signing is from 2-4pm today, Saturday.