'A Registered Charity in Scotland'
St Andrew's Cathedral known as Inverness Cathedral
Today's Date: Thursday 30th July 2026
Today's Date: Thursday 30th July 2026
You may think that the Cathedral looks ‘new’ compared with the ancient Cathedrals in England and Europe- this is because, like most Scottish Episcopal Churches, it was built in the nineteenth century.
However the Scottish Episcopal Church dates back to the Roman occupation of Britain. The few medieval Scottish Cathedrals which escaped destruction are now used by the established Presbyterian Church, such as Dornoch Cathedral or Dunblane Cathedral for example. The Scottish Episcopal Church lost its legal recognition for supporting the Jacobite cause in the seventeenth century and in the eighteen century penal restrictions were imposed on its clergy and worship by a government who feared its adherence to the Jacobite succession.
This persecution had ended by the nineteenth century, but what was left was an impoverished church, with few members and none of its ancient buildings. Inverness Cathedral was built as a result of a ‘second spring’ in the Scottish Church in the middle of the nineteenth century.
This was the time of the revival of the Victorian Gothic revival in architecture, when something of the solid Victorian character was added to the lightness and grace of earlier centuries.
The Cathedral, and impressive example of this style of architecture, stands in a fine situation on the west bank of the River Ness nearly opposite the Castle.
The story of Inverness Cathedral began with a vision. In 1853, Bishop Robert Eden proposed the creation of a cathedral for the Highlands – a place of worship that would serve and inspire communities across the north of Scotland.
Bishop Eden was elected Bishop of Moray and Ross in 1851, with the Diocese of Caithness joining his care in 1864. During his 35 years as bishop, the Scottish Episcopal Church experienced significant growth, with many congregations being revived and new opportunities for worship emerging throughout the region.
The Cathedral’s foundation stone was laid by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1866, and just three years later, in 1869, the building opened for worship. Although construction was complete, a debt of £8,000 remained. Once this had been paid off in 1874, the Cathedral was formally consecrated.
The Cathedral was designed by the renowned Inverness architect Alexander Ross, whose remarkable career in the city spanned more than 70 years. As well as serving as Provost of Inverness from 1889 to 1895, Ross designed many churches across the Diocese alongside notable civic buildings, including Skibo Castle in Sutherland.
Inverness Cathedral also holds a special place in British church history. It was the first cathedral to be fully built and consecrated in Great Britain since the Reformation.
Today, the Cathedral is recognised not only for its spiritual significance but also for its architectural importance. In 1971, it was awarded listed status in recognition of its special architectural and historic interest, ensuring this remarkable building will continue to be treasured for generations to come.
The bells of Inverness Cathedral have been part of the city’s soundscape for more than 150 years, marking moments of celebration, remembrance and worship.
Today, the Cathedral has a ring of ten bells, with the tenor bell weighing almost 17 hundredweight and tuned to the key of E-flat. An additional eleventh bell, known as the flat fourth, is used for chiming.
The original tenor bell was cast by John Warner & Sons of Cripplegate, London, in 1869, the same year the Cathedral first opened for worship. The remaining ten bells followed in 1877 after Bishop Robert Eden appealed during the Cathedral’s consecration for a “full set of bells”. Thanks to the generosity of supporters, the South Tower was soon home to eleven bells. Eight were installed for full-circle change ringing, while the others were used for chiming.
The bells have continued to be cared for over the years. In 2012, the ninth bell, known as the Inverness Bell, was recast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry to improve its tuning while preserving its historic character.
Several of the bells commemorate the people who helped shape the Cathedral’s story. The ninth bell was presented by the Provost and citizens of Inverness, while the fifth bell, known as Bishop Eden’s Bell, was gifted by Bishop Robert Eden and his wife. Bishop Eden was the driving force behind the creation of Inverness Cathedral as the cathedral church of the united Diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness. At the time, the medieval cathedrals at Elgin and Fortrose lay in ruins, while Dornoch Cathedral was serving the Presbyterian Church. Bishop Eden lived in the nearby Bishop’s Palace, now part of the Eden Court complex, and his legacy continues today through both the Cathedral and Bishop Eden Primary School.
Whether ringing out across the city on a Sunday morning or celebrating a special occasion, the Cathedral’s bells continue a tradition that has connected generations of worshippers and visitors since the nineteenth century..
First Peal – The opening peal on the bells known as ‘The True Peal of Kent’ or ‘Tremble Bob Major’ was rung on Thursday, 28th September 1877 by members of the Ancient Society of College Youths from London. 5184 changes were rung in 3 hours 14 minutes from a 09:35am start. It was the first time a peal in this method had been rung in Scotland.
Local Band – Attempts to form a local team of bellringers did not bear much fruit until 1887 when the clergy promoted a society of bellringers. Eighteen men enrolled and drew up the “Rules of Inverness Cathedral bellringers Association”. Mr Donald Davison became leader but resigned after six months and Mr Henry Stafford was elected in his place. In 1890 Mr Stafford requested a set of handbells to help with the learning of change ringing methods. The congregation subscribed £5 and the bells were purchased. They were identical in key to the 8 tower bells at that time. Eb (tenor), F#, G#, A, B, C#, D# and E, in the upper octave.
First rehang – In February 1914, the bells were returned to the Warner Foundry for retuning and new fittings, while the frame was strengthened and braced. As the work was not finished until after the start of WW1, no insurance company would cover the return journey by sea, so at extra expense to the Foundry, the bells were returned by rail.
Chiming the bells – The bells can be chimed by an Ellacombe chiming apparatus, the original 8 bell frame was given by the cathedral’s Guild of St Margaret. This was used mainly after WW2 when an air-raid siren placed on the roof of the bell tower in 1939 was supported by wooden beams from the bell frame which prevented full circle ringing.
Sound of the bells exported – In 1951, Miss Margaret O. MacDougall, a former Burgh Librarian & Museum Curator, expressed regret at the silent bells, in a talk given to the youth fellowship. This led to the revival of chiming, especially by Mr Alistair Davidson. In 1956 a visiting priest from Cape Province, South Africa, heard the bells and two years later requested a tape recording which could be played from loudspeakers in his church tower. With the co-operation of Mr Henderson of the Music Shop, Inverness – this was made and dispatched to South Africa. A second copy was sent to the Rector at Stonehaven.
Active ringing and second rehang– The formation of a local team of ringers in the 1960s led to the revival of change ringing at Inverness. In 1973, as a memorial to Bishop Duncan MacInnes, John Taylor & Co, of Loughborough returned and rehung the bells as a ring of 10 on ball bearings in a new frame lower in the tower. The remaining bell was hung dead as a chiming service bell. The Ellacombe apparatus was increased to include all ten bells.
Finally in tune – Ever since Warners attempted to tune the bells in 1914, the 9th bell has had two conflicting harmonics and sounded very poor. A determined band of ringers persuaded the authorities to approve a project for a recast replacement. Cast at Whitechapel this was installed in time for Christmas 2012 by Whites of Appleton.
At the most Northerly tower in the world – we ring Sunday mornings (please check in the porch for times or get in touch with the office to check times in advance) and practice on Thursday evenings 7.30pm to 9.00pm. Our nearest church neighbour is 100 miles away.
