---
title: "Cathedral of the Isles, Isle of Cumbrae"
description: "Located in Isle of Cumbrae, Strathclyde. Built Foundation 1849; opened 1851; raised to cathedral 1876. Diocese of Argyll and the Isles. Grade Category A. Gothic Revival style."
category: "Church"
tags: ["Church","Scottish Episcopal Church","Strathclyde","Isle of Cumbrae","Millport","Category A","Gothic Revival","William Butterfield","Cathedral"]
canonical: "https://thebritishgazette.com/post/cathedral-isles-isle-cumbrae"
pubDate: "2026-09-06T01:53:31.242Z"
dateModified: "2026-09-08T00:33:18.313Z"
location: "Isle of Cumbrae, Strathclyde"
country: "Scotland"
county: "Strathclyde"
town: "Isle of Cumbrae"
address: "College Street, Millport, Isle of Cumbrae, Strathclyde, KA28 0HE"
postcode: "KA28 0HE"
built: "Foundation 1849; opened 1851; raised to cathedral 1876"
consecrated: "1876 as Cathedral of the Isles"
architect: "William Butterfield"
denomination: "Scottish Episcopal Church"
dedications: ["Holy Spirit"]
diocese: "Argyll and the Isles"
grade: "Category A"
style: "Gothic Revival"
materials: "Stone quarried on site"
website: "https://cathedraloftheisles.org/cathedral/"
openingHours: "The Cathedral Grounds are open to visitors 24 hours a day throughout the year. The Cathedral is open to visitors from 8.30am until 6pm daily. Morning and evening prayer are said daily at 8.30am and 5.45pm."
parish: "Millport"
gridReference: "NS 165 552"
accessNotes: "Non-accessible toilets in church. Level access to the main areas. Accessible toilets nearby. Accessible toilets in church"
---

# Cathedral of the Isles, Isle of Cumbrae

The Cathedral of the Isles and Collegiate Church of the Holy Spirit, on College Street in Millport, is a Category A listed Scottish Episcopal cathedral, one of two seats of the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles and among the smallest cathedrals in the British Isles.

## Overview

Historic Environment Scotland lists the Episcopal cathedral with its collegiate buildings and cloister (LB37824), designated in April 1971. George Boyle, later 6th Earl of Glasgow, commissioned William Butterfield to design the college and church for the Oxford Movement. The foundation stone was laid on 29 May 1849; the Chapel of the College of the Holy Spirit opened for worship on Whit Sunday 1851 and was raised to cathedral status in 1876. The Canon’s House (South College) was completed in 1850 and the Chorister’s House (North College) the following October. Stone was quarried on site.

The tower and spire, about 123 feet (37 metres), dominate a nave of only about 40 feet (12 metres). Formal gardens and woodland surround the group. It remains the Episcopal cathedral for Argyll and the Isles, sharing the diocese with St John’s Cathedral, Oban. Scottish listings are recorded on Historic Environment Scotland, not as a Historic England or Cadw list-entry URL.

## Further Information

- [Historic Environment Scotland LB37824](https://www.trove.scot/designation/LB37824)
- [Cathedral of the Isles](https://cathedraloftheisles.org/cathedral/)
- [Cathedral of The Isles (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_of_The_Isles)