FEARS that the renowned Cathedral of the Isles in Millport could close have been shot down.

Alastair Chisholm BEM, who is organist and lay chaplain at the cathedral, has given assurances to the News that there the much-loved building is safe.

As well as a place of worship, the historic building, believed to the smallest cathedral in Europe, attracts the cream of world class musical talent year after year with its traditional Sunday summer concerts.

A post had been circulated on social media channels claiming that it was under threat of closure - but this was rubbished by Alastair.

The organist, who was awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to music and culture on the island, explained that the 'threat' was no different to that facing other churches around the west of Scotland.

He said: "The cathedral is open to worship on Sundays and has been open for some time.

"We have had no groups in because of the Covid-19 restrictions and that remains the situation at the moment, but worship will continue throughout the winter.

"We normally open every day but because of the pandemic that has not been possible. I can assure readers that there is no specific concern about the cathedral at the moment.

"All churches are facing difficulties as there have been nobody coming through the doors for months.

"We don't have a bishop at the moment as the previous bishop has moved elsewhere, and we are currently in the process of an election of a new one, so the whole diocese is on hold until then."

The Cathedral of The Isles and Collegiate Church of the Holy Spirit is a cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church. It is one of the two cathedrals of the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles, the other being St John's Cathedral in Oban. It celebrated its 140th anniversary in 2016 with a special concert in front of 100 people.

The popular summer recitals have been unable to take place this year at the cathedral on Sunday afternoons due to coronavirus restrictions.

Following an extensive fund raising campaign, an 1867 tracker action organ, built for the opening of All Saints’ Episcopal Church Edinburgh by Frederick Holt, was restored and installed into the cathedral during 2004. Together with the restored Erard and Lipp pianos, the 1976 “Cumbrae” harpsichord, and the recently-acquired Bösendorfer concert grand piano, this has transformed the cathedral’s music, making it a top draw for some world-famous classical performers.