The Cathedral of The Isles welcomed the new Bishop of Argyll and The Isles as he was installed into his Cathedral on The Isle of Cumbrae. The Right Reverend David Railton was previously consecrated in St John’s Cathedral, Oban during which he was installed into his cathedra there. This second installation took place in the other Cathedral within the combined diocese on Saturday 26 October.
Bishop David said: “Despite the cancellation of a retreat on Iona due to the weather conditions, the weather cleared enough to allow for me to travel to Millport, Cumbrae for the annual meeting of the Friends Of The Cathedral Of The Isles. It was a joy to meet the Friends in my new role, and I was privileged to be welcomed as Bishop, and installed as Provost of the Cathedral by the Dean during choral evensong”.
The service was Sung Evensong, using responses by Smith and canticles by Dyson in F, and was led by the Rev Canon Alec Boyd with the Cathedral Choir and included the anthem “Beati quorum via” by Stanford. The Very Rev Margi Campbell, Dean of the Diocese, presided at the installation and Bishop David preached the sermon.
Present were Rev Canon Simon Mackenzie, the Diocesan Synod Clerk, Rev Canon Keith Pagan, Rev Canon Marjory Mackay, the Rev Canon Gordon Fyfe, and the Rev Rosemary Bungard, with the Rev David Watson and Angus McKay representing the new Church of Scotland Combined Parish of Largs, Fairlie and Millport. The Royal British Legion presented their Colours and Captain Jackie Wilson of the Cumbrae Company of the Boys Brigade read one of the lessons, with the other read by Linda Orr representing the Congregation of St Andrews worshipping at the Cathedral.
After the service Bishop David and his wife Sarah met with congregation members and guests at a reception held in the Cathedral Cloister. They remained on Cumbrae over the weekend to preside and preach on Sunday morning before joining the congregation for lunch.
