Church hosts 'superb' exhibition to celebrate Edinburgh's 900th anniversary

An Edinburgh church is hosting a special exhibition to mark the 900th anniversary of the city becoming a Royal Burgh.

More than 900 pieces of artwork – from paintings, photographs, drawings, sculptures, quilts and banners - are on display at the Parish Church of St Cuthbert in Princes Street Gardens until the afternoon of Friday, 25 October.

Work by more than 300 artists, aged 5-90 years old, are on display to bring the city's ancient history, traditions and culture to life.

The community art exhibition, which celebrates the city's past, present and future, was formally opened by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Councillor Robert Aldridge, on Saturday.

He said: "I am really pleased to be with you today as we open the Edinburgh 900 art exhibition in the wonderful setting of St Cuthberts'.

"I understand that the aim is to bring people together from all backgrounds to celebrate Edinburgh's 900 anniversary.

"Quite rightly it's our communities that are front and centre in the celebrations ."

The range of artworks on display have been donated by more than 40 organisations.

Amazing art work

The congregation supports the Ukrainian St Margaret's Saturday School and pupils sang and danced at the ceremony, which was attended by scores of people including Father Vasyl Kren, Ukrainian Catholic Priest in Scotland.

Parish minister and Chair of the Trustees of the Ukrainian school, Rev Dr Peter Sutton, said: "St Cuthbert's Church has existed for over 900 years, sitting on the oldest Christian site in the city, and is embracing the whole of Edinburgh by gathering in the community to share all the talent that exists in the city," he explained.

"We were awarded a £3,000 grant from the council to hold an exhibition in conjunction with the Ukrainian St Margaret's Saturday School, which meets at George Heriot's School.

"We have gathered 900 pieces of art from across the city and put together an amazing exhibition.

"It includes quilts made by a local group, banners from Boroughmuir High School, artwork from Firhill High School, a wide range of pieces from a lot of different charities and banners from the Incorporations of Trade of Edinburgh

"It is a very colourful and engaging exhibition and I would encourage people to visit to get a real sense of the richness of life in Scotland's capital city."

St Cuthbert's Parish Church has a strong mission outreach focus and Mr Sutton believes this is one of the reasons why the congregation was awarded the grant.

The building is used by a group of Ukrainian volunteers, known as the Edinburgh Spiders, which makes camouflage nets that are sent to their home country to help protect soldiers from the Russian military.

They provide cover from planes, drones, and infantry, and are often used to cover vehicles, people, medical shelters and more.

For many years St Cuthbert's has hosted a charity called Steps to Hope which provides free meals to around 100 homeless people on Sunday and Monday evenings.

Volunteers from the congregation and local school pupils tend to the guests.

King David I introduced a new system of local government into Scotland in 1124 by creating royal burghs as part of his efforts to reform the nation's economic and political structures.

The launch of the 900 programme of celebrations at Edinburgh Castle in July was attended by King Charles and Queen Camilla.

They cut an Edinburgh 900 themed cake baked by 2020 Great British Bake Off winner Peter Sawkins, whose family are closely associated with Currie Kirk in Edinburgh.