'A Registered Charity in Scotland'
St Andrew's Cathedral known as Inverness Cathedral
Today's Date: Saturday 17th October 2026
Today's Date: Saturday 17th October 2026
On 17 October 1866, the foundation stone of Inverness Cathedral was laid by the Archbishop of Canterbury, marking the beginning of an ambitious project that would create only the second cathedral to be built in Scotland after the Reformation.
The vision for the Cathedral had taken several years to become a reality. Led by the renowned Inverness architect Alexander Ross, whose work helped shape much of Victorian Inverness, and inspired by the determination of Bishop Robert Eden, the Cathedral was designed to be a place of worship, welcome, and witness at the heart of the Highlands.
Today, more than 150 years later, Inverness Cathedral remains the Mother Church of the Diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness. Standing proudly on the banks of the River Ness, it continues to be a place of prayer, music, pilgrimage, and community, welcoming thousands of worshippers and visitors from around the world each year.
The doors of the Cathedral are open throughout the year, offering a warm welcome to all who come through them — from members of our congregations and local communities to visitors, pilgrims, and tourists from across the Highlands and around the world.
Some come to join us in worship, others to find a quiet space for reflection and prayer, to light a candle, or simply to pause and enjoy the beauty and history of this remarkable place. We are delighted to welcome all who wish to explore the Cathedral, discover its story, and experience the unique atmosphere created by its faith, music, architecture, and history.
The Cathedral remains a living place of prayer and community, shaped by the vision of the Bishop and architect who brought it into being, and by the many generations who have continued to worship, care for, and share this special place.
We aim to offer a warm and generous welcome to all who visit, creating a place where creative and high-quality worship honours the rich traditions of the Church handed down to us over the centuries, while proclaiming the glory, wonder, and love of God today.
For more than 150 years, the Cathedral has been a place of prayer, worship, music, and community in the Highlands. We give thanks for all those who have shaped the life of the Cathedral before us, whose faith and dedication have created the foundations on which we continue to build.
As we look to the future, we seek to be a vibrant and welcoming worshipping community — a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can encounter God, find belonging, and share in the ongoing story of the Cathedral. With a truly Highland welcome, we invite all to join us in worship, fellowship, and the life of our community.
https://www.scotland.anglican.org/
The Scottish Episcopal Church is the denomination to which the Cathedral belongs. As one of its congregations, we share in its worship, mission, and ministry across Scotland. The Provincial website provides information about the life of the Church, its work, and the wider community of Episcopal churches throughout the country.
The Cathedral is the Mother Church of the Diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness, serving as a focal point for the life and worship of the Diocese. The Diocese brings together Episcopal churches across a wide area of northern Scotland, supporting shared ministry, mission, and fellowship. Further information about the Diocese and its churches can be found on its website.
https://www.anglicancommunion.org
Through our membership of the Scottish Episcopal Church, we are also part of the worldwide Anglican Communion — a global family of churches united in faith, worship, and mission. The Anglican Communion connects millions of Christians across the world and provides opportunities for fellowship, collaboration, and shared witness among Anglican churches internationally.
