By Mike Donachie

A HIGHLY organised break-in at Dunkeld Cathedral has horrified churchgoers who found thieves had escaped with a haul worth thousands of pounds.

Parishioners on Sunday discovered a shattered display case. Several “irreplaceable” items, all centuries-old, were missing from the Chapter House museum.

Tayside detectives are investigating. The thieves overcame a series of obstacles, including access to a high window— involving the use of two long ladders—and breaking through the case’s reinforced glass.

Of the nine items taken, seven were 18th century church pewter ware in the form of four flagons and three plates. Also stolen was a beadle’s bell, believed to have been rung at the head of funeral processions in the 17th century, and a small bronze drinking quaich, once used by the public at the fountain at The Cross in Dunkeld.

Session clerk Colonel David Arbuthnott said, “It happened on Saturday night-Sunday morning, so people going to church found the smashed case and smashed window. Everybody’s very upset.”

The remaining exhibits from the case were removed for safekeeping, and work began quickly to make the building secure and reopen the museum to the public.

Although the items were insured, Colonel Arbuthnott said, “Insurance is academic because they are irreplaceable.” He said an antiques dealer had advised that a specialist in church plate would be needed, but it is estimated to be worth “thousands.”

The thieves entered the historic cathedral at its eastern end, climbing one ladder to break a hole in a pane of leaded glass and feed another ladder through.

They then descended into the building and moved through it to the Chapter House, where their next obstacle was the reinforced glass case. Colonel Arbuthnott said, “They must have used something like a pickaxe to do it because it’s very tough glass.”

“It’s not somebody skylarking about on a Saturday night. It’s a planned operation.”

A spokesman for Tayside police said, “It’s certainly been quite specialised in what they’ve done. They have specifically targeted what they went for.”

The theft took place sometime between 6.40 pm on Saturday and 9.35 am. The police have asked anyone who saw anything suspicious, especially a vehicle parked nearby, to contact them on 01738 621141 or speak to any officer.