Dundee Kirkin’ o’ the Council

Lord Provost Helen Wright leads the 1999 Dundee Kirkin’ o’ the Council

The Kirkin' o' the Council

The Kirkin' o' the Council (or The Kirking of the Council) is a traditional ceremony where local government elected members and officers of the council are blessed at the start of their term. Leaders of associated organisations such as the police and fire services, universities, guilds, orders, societies and other civic bodies are usually invited to participate. The event typically takes place in a church and involves a formal service, presided over by a minister or other religious figure, who offers prayers for wisdom, guidance, and integrity for those in public service. The term "Kirkin'" comes from the Scots word "kirk," meaning church. This kirking of the council ceremony emphasises the connection between the church and the local community, reinforcing the idea that public officials are serving not just the people but also a higher moral and ethical standard. It’s a way of recognising the gravity and responsibility of the roles that council members play in local governance. While the specific practices and details can vary by region and denomination, the Kirkin' o’ the Council is a respected and solemn occasion in Scotland.

Helen's first speech at the Kirkin' o' the Council in 1999

Sheriffs, Deputy Lord-Lieutenants, Members of Parliament, members of the Scottish Parliament, member of the European Parliament, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen I thank you all for attending this Kirkin’ of the Council today. I would also like to thank Rev Cramb for his sermon and Rev Keith Hall for conducting today’s service.

Although this event is steeped in the history of Dundee, we should not see it as a mere civic formality which has little relevance today. Seeking the blessing of the church for our task ahead, and having a spiritual dimension to our endeavours, is something we should not lose, and is something I believe has as much relevance today as its ever had. I think today gives us the opportunity to reflect on our task ahead and on our aims and objectives. It also gives us the opportunity to reflect on the past and learn from previous events.

Yesterday I read some old press reports of earlier Kirkin’ of the Council events, which show that some things have changed but some fundamental ideas remain constant. One was a report of the Kirkin’ of the council which took place on the 9th November 1919. It remarked on the atrocious weather and the “very cold and wet baptism for the new council”. It went on to say that “democrats in ermine are not subjects for envy on a dripping and windy day” - thankfully, attitudes have changed since 1919 and I’m glad to see that the weather has changed also! But more seriously, a newspaper article about the Kirkin’ of the council on the 8th November 1931 reported that Miss Florence Horsburgh, who had just been elected as Dundee’s first woman MP, walked in the Kirkin’ procession.

The article reported that the lord provost specially thanked her for attending and, although I would not share many of Miss Horsburgh’s political views, I would share the sentiments in her response, and I quote “She was glad more than she could say that she had been trusted by the people of Dundee to do her best for them, but she was also glad that the battle was over and that together they were going to work for Dundee”. Nearly 70 years later I can echo that statement. In my first speech as lord provost I stressed that the future of this city must be the first priority for us all, and that we must work together for the future of Dundee. That means we must ensure co-operation between local, Scottish, UK and European politicians and institutions, the churches, the academic institutions, the trade unions, the business community, the voluntary sector, the ethnic community, young and older people’s groups, residents groups and many others. Through working in partnership I am confident that we can meet any challenge and improve the quality of life for all Dundee people. We have shared a church service today and I trust you will share my prayer for successfully working together in a spirit of co-operation for the benefit of the city.

Further information about events at Dundee City Chambers, and the history, can be viewed on this website at the Dundee City Chambers page.

... further information will appear here soon.