Ross-shire church used as place of worship for 800 years opens its doors to public for special milestone event
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A GLIMPSE into a Ross-shire gathering place which has been at the heart of some of Scotland's most iconic history is being offered this weekend as part of the annual event marking a milestone.
As part of the 30th anniversary of Doors Open Days in Scotland, the Highland region is celebrating its 25th year by opening the doors of its most interesting and unusual buildings from Saturday, August 31until Sunday, September 29.
Amongst the first to share its secrets with visitors will be Clachan church in Lochbroom, a place of Clachan has been a place of continual worship for 800 years. The current church dates
from 1817.
Clachan's lairds, the Mackenzies of Ballone, lost land and fortune fighting for the Stuart kings.
Oliver Cromwell’s and “Butcher” Cumberland’s troops each laid waste to farmland around Clachan Church.
In 1746 Clachan's minister rescued Jacobite prisoners from death and deportation.
The Mackenzie monuments can be seen in the graveyard.
In 1773, emigrants from Lochbroom sailed in The Hector to Pictou, Nova Scotia. Communion was held outside the church before they were rowed out to the ship anchored in Loch Broom. The two communities retain strong links to this day.
The 1820s saw many townships around Clachan cleared to make way for sheep. Clachans then minister, Thomas Ross, allowed those cleared to settle and build new homes on glebe land.
The church was purchased by the local community last year and extensive renovations are planned over the next five years.
It will be open on Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 11am - 5pm.
Co-ordinated in the Highlands by Inverness City Heritage Trust, an extensive programme of open days will take place over five weekends in September, free of charge. The open days will allow visitors to explore 49 buildings throughout the region, some of which are not normally open to the public.This year, a number of participating buildings are also celebrating milestones. These include Inverness Cathedral, which is celebrating 150 years of worship; Highland Archive and Registration Centre, which is 10 years old; and Cawdor Church, which is 400 years old.
Among the more unusual opportunities over the month’s events are tours of Allanfearn Waste Water Treatment Works. This will allow people to see how waste water is treated while producing green electricity at the Highlands and Islands largest waste water treatment works. Doors Open Days is also providing one of the last opportunities to visit Inverness Sheriff Court while it is homed at Inverness Castle, ahead of its move to a new Justice Centre.In addition to open days, several walks and talks have also been organised. These include the Inverness Tenement Toolkit; Urban Geology Gems; and the Architectural Evolution of Academy Street.
Commenting on Doors Open Days Highland, Alison Tanner, area co-ordinator at Inverness City Heritage Trust, said: “The 25th year of Doors Open Days in the Highlands looks set to be our best yet!
“As well as a number of walks and talks, we have a diverse selection of buildings allowing access and tours. These include an Emergency Operations Centre/World War Two Radar Bunker in Inverness, Jim Savage-Lowden Observatory at Culloden Moor, Castle Roy at Nethy Bridge and John O Groats Mill.
“Whether you visit a castle, museum, historic building or church, each will provide a fascinating insight to the work, history and heritage of the Highlands - all told by passionate employees, custodians and experts. We look forward to opening our doors to you!”
Further details can be found at www.doorsopendays.org.uk. Please note, although all events are free, some must be booked in advance via Eventbrite and are subject to availability.
Links to book can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/pg/doorsopendayshighland/events
A full programme of Doors Open Days events in the Highlands can be downloaded here: http://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/media/5969/highlands-dod-programme-2019.pdf
