Pics by B&M Bell
As part of the 2025 Orkney Nature Festival Custodian Fran Flett-Hollinrake presented an illustrated talk looking at images in St Magnus Cathedral relating to birds, animals and plants and exploring the stories, symbolism and meaning behind them. I couldn’t go to the talk, but the idea inspired me to visit the Cathedral and track down the wildlife for myself. I don’t have much knowledge about the symbolism etc – but I can present the images and maybe inspire folk to find them for themselves
We walked clock-wise round the Cathedral, with diversions into the Choir Stalls and as we noticed things we’d missed, encountering birds, beasts, and plants.
There were a lot more than I expected and we’ve probably still missed some!
Here goes
Then, outside, advised by a friendly Cathedral guide…up under the eaves we found a pig and a ram.
And, finally…a cockerel on the spire.
