Anglicans in Scotland have voted overwhelmingly to allow women to become bishops in a move which will end centuries of tradition.
The decision could see Britain's first woman bishop appointed as early as next year when the Rt Rev Douglas Cameron, the Bishop of Argyll, retires next year.
The Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church, which met in Edinburgh, voted to join Anglican communions in Ireland, the United States, Canada, Polynesia and New Zealand in allowing women to be elevated to the bishopric.
The vote follows a 12-month consultation period after a large majority supported the proposal at its first reading a year ago. It needed a two-third majority to be carried.
Only 24 members of the synod voted against women bishops while 124 voted for them.
A spokesman said: "All seven out of seven bishops voted for women bishops.
"We have ended centuries of tradition today while allowing women to become bishops. It is a momentous decision for the church."
The vote in Edinburgh is expected to put additional pressure on the Church of England to reconsider the issue of women bishops.