Millport: Home to the UK’s smallest cathedral but big ambitions. Pic: Google
A SCOTTISH community of just 1,200 people is set to bid for city status.
Millport would become the UK’s smallest cathedral city if the audacious plan gets the go-ahead.
The town on the tiny west coast isle of Great Cumbrae is a seafront strip with a caf, amusement arcade and bar.
But the community, four miles from the ferry slipway in Largs, North Ayshire, also boasts a cathedral.
And that, according to one of the trustees, could help win Millport the treasured – and lucrative – status as Britain’s tiniest cathedral city.
Patrick Boyle is a great-great grandson of architect William Butterfield, who designed the Cathedral of the Isles.
Boyle said: “The Cathedral of the Isles is the smallest cathedral in Britain and probably in Europe.
“Being designated as the smallest cathedral city in the country would be a tremendous marketing asset and would do wonders for the local economy.
“It’s a fantastic building and I would like to see it being visited and viewed by many more people.”
Boyle is trying to set up a meeting with local officials and residents to launch the process of turning Millport into the UK’s newest city.
But one local councillor has already thrown his backing behind the idea.
Alex Gallagher said: “It would also be great for Millport to be named as the smallest cathedral city in Britain and I would certainly lend my support to that.”
The community of St David’s, Pembrokeshire, with a population of around 2,000 currently holds the title.
The Cathedral of the Isles was completed in 1851 and consecrated in 1876. Its nave measures just 40ft by 20ft and holds only 100 people.
The Queen is currently considering which place in the UK should be next to receive city status.
The winners will be announced to coincide with the diamond jubilee next year.
Perth is currently the only town in Scotland on the list. Inverness was promoted to city status in 2002.
Millport has missed the current competition, the closing date for which was Friday. Backers of the idea will simply wait for the next round.
Communities which have been made cities have reported increases in investment, jobs, and reputation.
