A Scottish cathedral has become the first Anglican cathedral in the country to offer weddings for same-sex couples.

St Mary’s Cathedral in Glasgow is now taking bookings from same-sex couples following a decision earlier this year in the Scottish Episcopal Church’s General Synod.

The clergy of the cathedral have been given permission by the Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway to conduct such services following a unanimous vote to go ahead by the cathedral’s vestry, its board of trustees.

Speaking after the decision, the Provost of the Cathedral, the Very Rev Kelvin Holdsworth said: “It is hugely exciting to open up wedding services to all couples who want to get married. People at St Mary’s were part of the campaign to allow gay and lesbian couples to get married in Scotland so it is not surprising that we would want to be able to offer such weddings in the cathedral itself.

“St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow is one of the most stunning places that anyone can get married. It is wonderful that more people now have the chance of coming here for their special day.

“I want to live in a world where same-sex couples can feel safe walking down the street hand in hand and in which they can feel joy walking hand in hand down the aisle of a church too.”

The development comes after six of the seven diocesan synods of the Scottish Episcopal Church voted in March for a proposal to amend canon law to allow clerics to conduct marriages for same-sex couples in church. Only the diocesan synod of Aberdeen & Orkney voted against the change.

Clergy who are happy to preside over same sex marriages will be able to nominate themselves, while those who do not wish to officiate at such ceremonies within the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) will not be compelled to do so.

It is expected that people will come from other parts of the UK to be married in Scotland as a result of the decision by the SEC.

Speaking about this, the Provost said: “We already have one booking from a couple coming up from England who can’t get married in their local Church of England parish. We are glad to be able to welcome them and expect there will be many others who will follow them”.

The lay representative of the cathedral congregation, Dr Beth Routledge said:

“St Mary’s Cathedral aspires to be a church which is open, inclusive and welcoming. It feels fantastic to see another step being taken to make that even more real.

“When members of the congregation go to Glasgow Pride later this year, we’ll have a real sense of having helped to bring about greater equality for members of the LGBT communities.”

The booking forms for marriages on the cathedral’s website www.thecathedral.org.uk have been changed to make it clear that all couples can now make a booking.

The Scottish Episcopal Church voted in June to allow the weddings of same-sex couples to be conducted by those clergy who wish to be nominated to do them. The legislation comes into effect on 20 July.

In May, after a vote at its General Assembly, the Church of Scotland instructed officials to examine church laws to propose changes paving the way for same sex marriages - although it is thought it could be up to six years before same-sex Kirk weddings can take place. When they do ministers will be able to choose whether they participate. Last year Pope Francis released a report stating that there were “absolutely no grounds” for considering recognition of “homosexual union” within the Catholic Church.