400 year old Kirking ceremony is celebrated with many firsts.

Photograph Gallery of 2001 Sunday 11 September's event.

A Bible which is as old as the historic annual event itself will be read from during this year’s Kirking of the Council service on Sunday 11 September.

The City of Inverness Kirking of the Council is a key event rooted in tradition dating back some 400 years. The Kirking involves a procession of Council members and officials from the Town House through the streets of Inverness to the oldest church in the City – the Old High Church. Followers of the procession then attend a service at the Old High Church to seek God’s blessing on the work of elected members, officials and the life of the City.

As the year 2011 marks the four hundredth anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible, the Scripture readings will be read from a first edition copy of the Bible dating from 1611, which belongs to the Kirk Session of Inverness and is kept in the Old High Church.

Colour and pageantry will mark the occasion of the Kirking of the Council on Sunday 11 September. Pipe bands will lead uniformed youth groups, together with officials and Councillors in bright red robes, who will join the procession from the Town House at 10am proceed down Church Street and be greeted at the Old High Church by the Rev Peter W Nimmo, Ministers of Old High St Stephen's Church of Scotland.

The service starts at 10.30am and will be led by Reverend Nimmo. Music will be provided by the choirs of Old High St Stephen’s. Amazing Grace - O Miorbhail Gràis will be sung by Myra MacNab, a member of Inverness Gaelic Choir.

The Reverend Nimmo, who is a key partner in planning the event, said: “This year’s Kirking of the Council promises to be an extra special event with many ‘firsts’. In addition to the reading from the first edition King James Bible, this will be the first year that our newly restored Willis Organ will be heard at a Kirking Service. The first female moderator in the 400-year history of the Inverness Church of Scotland Presbytery, Kirk elder Vivian Roden will also say prayers at the Kirking service. It will also be the first year that the Principal of the University of the Highlands and Islands, Professor James Fraser takes part in the procession since the creation of University status.  Professor Fraser will attend in full robes carrying the University Mace with senior officials. I also look forward to welcoming visitors from Inverness's twin town, La Baule.”

“This significant community event has a great sense of occasion. It especially celebrates public service in our city, so I invite all who work in the public sector to come and join us on the day. In challenging times for those who bring us our essential public services, we will mark the importance of their work, and remind councillors and politicians of their responsibilities to the community. I look forward to welcoming people of all faiths or none to this historic and important event in the life of our city.”

Provost Jimmy Gray, chairman of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee, said: “The fact that there will be reading from a Bible that has been in use from the time that Kirking of the Council was created is testament to the significance of this annual event. For an event to have survived 400 years throughout many changes in history indicates the strength of commitment from councillors, officials and the community to mark the annual Kirking of the Council.”

Also taking part in the Kirking of the Council will be Mr Yves Métaireau Mayor of La Baule, Inverness’s twin town since 1981 with dancers in traditional French costume. Inverness and La Baule are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their twinning partnership.

For further information on Old High St Stephen’s Kirk, Inverness go their website:

http://www.oldhighststephens.com/ and the church blog: http://oldhighststephens.blogspot.com/ .