Loch Insh Old Kirk: Worshippers rally to save historic church from sale

A Highland community is rallying to save a church on what is believed to be Scotland’s longest continuous Christian worship site.

Worshippers at Loch Insh Old Kirk near Kingussie in the Highlands hope to purchase the building and preserve its religious heritage after the Church of Scotland announced it was to be sold in 2023.

The church is situated on a historically significant Christian site, with roots dating back to the sixth century.

The grounds have been linked to Columba’s missionary monks, who played a vital role in spreading Christianity throughout Scotland.

Members of the tiny lochside church’s congregation attended a special event at Kincraig to celebrate its long history and debate its possible future.

Merryn Glover Appleby of the Loch Insh Old Kirk Community Group told STV News: “The understanding is that it was probably originally established as a cell by one of Columba’s early missionary monks.

“So, you’re looking back to the seventh, if not even the sixth century – and they would have come down here and begun to share the faith which spread very quickly across the Picts at the time.

“People are acutely feeling a loss. For many folks, it’s because this has been part of their family’s story for a long time.

“Babies have been brought here for christenings, people have had their weddings here and they’ve laid loved ones to rest, so it means a lot. There’s a lot of strong emotional roots, sometimes going back generations.”

The strength of faith was demonstrated by a big turnout to discuss options for the future on Sunday, June 29.

Locals attended an event to discuss the future of the church STV News

The present building is believed to have been erected in 1792, with later renovations in 1912 and 1963.

With no running water and a roof in need of repair, much could hinge on a structural survey and meeting the price.

Local conservation architect Alan Marshall said: “It’s in quite good condition for its age which means you can always find bits and pieces you want to do.

“The roof is one exception – which I feel is ‘nail sick’.

“A lot of the old iron rusting nails are still in place and it’s quite obvious that slates slip out, but they’ve been doing a very good job of keeping it waterproof.”

A new charity created by the congregation has until the end of 2026 to meet the Church of Scotland’s deadline for selling, leasing or otherwise disposing of the property.