Charity Information
The Society of The Friends of St Magnus Cathedral is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), regulated by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). This page sets out our registered details, governance and accountability information.
Registered Charity Details
Registered Name:
The Society of The Friends of St Magnus Cathedral (SCIO)
Scottish Charity Number:
SC053983
Operating as a SCIO since:
1 April 2025
Registered Office:
2 Ingavoe Drive,
Kirkwall,
Orkney,
KW15 1WT
Regulator:
Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)
You can view our entry on the OSCR Scottish Charity Register.
Although the Society became a SCIO in 2025, it has existed since 1958 and has contributed over £1.5 million towards Cathedral projects in that time. You can read more about our history on the About page.
Our Purpose
The Society exists to support the care, conservation and continued life of St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall.
Working alongside Orkney Islands Council as custodians of the building, we raise funds for the preservation of the Cathedral’s fabric and furnishings, support projects that make the Cathedral better to visit and to worship in, and promote understanding of its history and heritage.
Our full charitable purposes are set out in our constitution.
How We’re Governed
The Society is governed by a Council of Members which manages its affairs and oversees its work. The Council is made up of:
- The Chair, who is the Lord-Lieutenant of Orkney
- The Vice-Chair, who is the nominated Minister to St Magnus Cathedral
- The Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer, which may be held by one person
- Four members of the Society, elected at the Annual General Meeting
- Four members of the congregation, elected by the Kirk Session
- Any other office-bearers, and any members co-opted by the Council
The Society is chaired by the Lord Lieutenant of Orkney, and is under the patronage of His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester.
Four Councillors of Orkney Islands Council serve as Advisers to the Council. They are not members of it: when the Society became a SCIO, their previous membership would have placed their role here in conflict with their responsibilities as trustees of the Cathedral, so the position was changed.
The Council is responsible for the strategic direction of the Society, oversight of its finances, and ensuring the charity meets its obligations under Scottish charity law.
The Council
The Council currently comprises:
- Chair: Elaine Grieve, Lord-Lieutenant of Orkney
- Vice-Chair: the nominated Minister to St Magnus Cathedral. This position is currently vacant.
- Honorary Secretary and Treasurer: Les Donaldson DL
- Assistant Secretary: Bruce Gorie
- Elected by the Society: William Annal, Patricia Long, Inga Adams and Melita King
- Elected by the Kirk Session: Margaret Sutherland, Margaret Kirkness, Ida Wylie and Margaret Pettet
Advisers to the Council
Councillors Leslie Manson, Raymie Peace, Steven Heddle and John Ross Scott of Orkney Islands Council.
Honorary appointments
In recognition of their service to the Friends and the Cathedral, the following appointments have been made:
- Honorary President: Bill Spence
- Honorary President: David Oddie MBE DL
- Honorary Vice President: Fraser Macnaughton
Patron
Under the Patronage of His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester
Annual Reports
and Accounts
The Society of The Friends of St Magnus Cathedral has operated as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation since 1 April 2025. Our first annual report and accounts under SCIO status will cover the financial year ending 31 March, and will be published here following approval at our Annual General Meeting.
Once filed, our accounts will also be available on the OSCR Scottish Charity Register.
Reports from earlier years, when the Society operated as an unincorporated association, are available on request from the Honorary Secretary or Treasurer.
Constitution
Our constitution sets out the Society’s charitable purposes, membership rules and governance arrangements.
The constitution below was adopted on 10 December 2024. It refers to the Society by its former charity number, SC007980, because it was adopted before the Society became a SCIO and was given its current number, SC053983.
Annual General Meeting
The AGM is held each year and is open to all members of the Society. Notice of the AGM, with the agenda and supporting papers, is sent to members in advance.
- 7pm on Tuesday 8 December 2026, in the St Magnus Centre, Palace Road, Kirkwall
Contact
For questions about the Society’s governance or any charity-related matter, please contact:
The Honorary Secretary: secretary@friendsofstmagnus.com
For questions about your membership: membership@friendsofstmagnus.com
By post: The Honorary Secretary, 2 Ingavoe Drive, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1WT
If you have a concern or complaint about how the charity is run that we have been unable to resolve, you can raise it with OSCR at oscr.org.uk.