Orkney Islands Council has announced the launch of a project to record every detail of Orkney's St Magnus Cathedral later this year.

The 12th century building, which is maintained by Orkney Islands Council on behalf of the islands inhabitants, is to have experts carry out detailed laser scans of both the internal and external structure of the cathedral. The Council is currently seeking recruits for the project.

The objective of the project is to complete a generated, detailed, 3D record of the building. This would be compared with scans taken in the future, detecting changes that might occur to the building due to factors such as weathering, decay, erosion and moss build up.


Another aim of the project is to develop digital tours of the Cathedral using 3D scans. The tours would be used for an exhibition on the history of Kirkwell, providing insights for tourists by enhancing their experience. The data will also be beneficial to researchers.

Backing for the project has been given by the Society of the Friends of St Magnus Cathedral. Formed in 1958, the society's aim was to raise funds for the preservation of the historic building. Half of the costs towards the laser scanning have been pledged to be funded by Friends of St. Magnus.

David Oddie, Secretary of the Friends, said: "It goes right to the core of our chief aim; protecting and safeguarding the condition of this majestic building. The joint funding of this work is a reflection of the good relationship we’ve had with the Council for many years."

The red and yellow sandstone Cathedral is also of international significance.

St Magnus Cathedral, built from red and yellow sandstone, took 300 years to build, with the foundations starting in 1137. It was built in dedication to Magnus Erlendsson, who was Earl of Orkney from 1106 to 1115. The building is an example of a Romano-Gothic Cathedral, being assigned to the inhabitants of Kirkwall in 1486 by King James III.

(LM/CD)