A section of sandstone has fallen from the historic St Magnus Cathedral in Orkney just days before it hosts Prime Minister David Cameron and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Stone masons have been called in following the incident at the weekend, but cathedral staff played down concerns last night.
Mr Cameron, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and other senior political and military figures are expected to be present at the Battle of Jutland centenary commemorations in Kirkwall tomorrow.
Planning for the event began months ago, with extra police being drafted in from across Scotland, including specialist armed officers who are not normally stationed in Orkney.
The Metropolitan Police has also offered its expertise in royal protection.
The cathedral was first constructed in 1137, and was added to over the following 300 years.
It is understood that a section of sandstone surrounding a stained glass window fell about 70ft to the ground between Saturday and Sunday.
A member of staff at the cathedral told the Press and Journal that it would not alter the plans for tomorrow’s ceremony, however.
“Everything is under control. There are no problems, everything is ok, it will all go ahead as planned. Everything is working like clockwork,” he said.
Orkney will be the focus of commemorations tomorrow, May 31, the day the Battle of Jutland began 100 years ago.
Fought over 36 hours, the British lost 6,094 personnel and 2,551 Germans died during the conflict near the coast of Denmark’s Jutland Peninsula.
Most of the British vessels which took part in the engagement were stationed at Scapa Flow in Orkney.
Guests at the cathedral will include descendants of those who died in action, as well as representatives from across the Commonwealth.