Kirk to be restored to former glory

Open day will reveal £1m plans to repair Cromarty church which featured in TV programme

Published:

Detailed plans of work to restore a Highland church which found TV fame two years ago will be unveiled next month.

The Scottish Redundant Churches Trust (SRCT) will host an open day at Cromarty East Church on the Black Isle, showing the £1million plans to repair the building, which featured on BBC1’s Restoration Village programme.

A range of experts involved in the project will be on hand to answer questions including representatives from LDN architects and the preferred building contractors – Laing Traditional Masonry.

Archaeologist John Wood and local historian and Highland councillor David Alston will also be there to discuss the history of the church.

The Friends of the East Church and the SRCT will tell visitors about how they can keep in touch with the project’s progress and how they can get involved.

The open day on Saturday, June 7, will run from 11am to 4pm with guided walks at 11.30am and 1.30pm and a service by the Rev John Tallach at 3pm.

Helma Reynolds, of the Friends of Cromarty East Church, said: “We are delighted that, after many years of planning and fundraising, work on the church will begin this year.

“We must thank the Scottish Redundant Churches Trust, who owns the church, for their work to achieve this. The friends are all enthusiasts for the East Church, which is not only a remarkable example of post-Reformation church architecture, but also displays a fascinating history in both the building and documentation.

“We are all looking forward to seeing what new discoveries are made during the next three years of work on the church.”