A special concert is taking place in Millport this Sunday, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the restoration of the Cathedral of the Isles' historic Holt organ, which is now 157 years old.

Following an extensive fund raising campaign, an 1867 tracker action organ, built for the opening of All Saints’ Episcopal Church Edinburgh by Frederick Holt, was restored and installed into the Cathedral during 2004 by Wood of Huddersfield.

Cathedral organist Alasdair Chisholm, who won a British Empire Medal for services to music and culture on the Isle of Cumbrae in 2016, discovered the suitable replacement organ for the cathedral.

He was one of a group of rowers who completed a unique 100-mile boat journey in aid of an organ appeal for Britain's smallest cathedral in 2002.

Alastair and his colleagues navigated Scotland's canal network in a Viking-style 14ft rowing boat in the memorable fundraiser.

The cost of transferring the organ to Millport and carry out the necessary repair work cost in the region of £35,000.

Note perfect: Alastair Chisholm was involved in a major fundraiser on a Viking designed rowing boat in 2002 to transfer and restore Holt organ Note perfect: Alastair Chisholm was involved in a major fundraiser on a Viking style rowing boat in 2002 to transfer and restore Holt organ (Image: Newsquest)

The Holt model organ, which was built in 1867, was originally installed in a church in Edinburgh's Tollcross area, now known as St Michael and All Saints.

The organ was restored and installed in the building by organ builder David Wood in June 2004. There were three opening recitals - one by Gordon Stewart.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the organ's arrival on Cumbrae, Gordon is returning to let Millport here his organ performance once more.

The event starts at 3pm this Sunday, August 11, and is part of the continuing programme of summer concerts in Millport's Cathedral of the Isles. There will be a retiring collection afterwards.