Kirked

The old tradition of a "Kirking" for a newly elected body - a religious service in which the new representatives are prayed for , admonished as to their obligations and blessed ( all three or just one or two according to your faith and religious tradition) - seems to have come of age for the Scottish Parliament in this its 5th session.

I don't remember it at all in the first session back in 1999 , though it may well have happened. Even last session , in May 2011 , it was not that well attended.

But tonight St Giles in Edinburgh was packed , the Duke of Rothesay was in attendance , there was participation by 10 faiths and denominations ( including the humanists) and the majority of MSPs were there . There was also a very impressive turnout from civic , legal and official Scotland and a lively reception in Parliament House thereafter.