In the Scottish Parliament, a motion has been presented to honor the 900-year history of St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. Founded by King David I of Scotland in 1124, St Giles' Cathedral played a pivotal role in the Scottish Reformation during the 1500s when John Knox preached Protestantism from its pulpit.
Today, the cathedral serves as Scotland's national cathedral and has been a significant venue, hosting the late Queen Elizabeth II before her funeral in London and holding the Honours of Scotland service for King Charles III after his coronation at Westminster Abbey.
The motion acknowledges St Giles' as an "iconic" cathedral, recognizing its integral role in the life of Edinburgh and Scotland for nine centuries.
It recognises the cathedral's various projects that are "designed to reach out to people of all ages, backgrounds and faiths across the city". The motion was laid down by Lothian MSP Miles Briggs and has been circulated for other MSPs to sign.
It states that 1.5 million people visited the cathedral from around the world last year alone, a statistic "underlining its status as a dynamic centre celebrating Scotland's heritage and culture, as well as being an active place of worship".
Commenting on the motion, Rev Dr George Whyte, the interim moderator of St Giles', said: "We very much appreciate the recognition given by the Scottish Parliament and we remain committed to continued service in the years ahead.
