Members of a historic Aberdeenshire parish have launched a plea for funds after their church spire began to crumble.
The congregational board at Strathdon Church is seeking assistance with repair works, which are scheduled to cost in excess of £100,000.
Yesterday, one of the building’s descendants, Zilla Tuck, said she hoped the community would rally behind the fight to save the spire.
The 81-year-old added: “The church was built in 1853 and had repairs done 70 years ago. But they used the wrong mortar, so now we need to redo it as it is leaking quite heavily.
“The cost for the repair works will be approximately £100,000 which is why we are putting together a plea for help to save the church.
“We are appealing to anyone who may have an affiliation with the building, whether you were married here or simply just wouldn’t want to see Strathdon lose this beautiful church.
“It has a long history and is a real centrepiece for the village. It would be incredibly sad to lose the spire.
“I think I would cry if it was to crumble down.”
The church was erected largely through the generous donation of Sir Charles Forbes of Newe. It could not be replaced today for under £787,000 according to the latest insurance estimate.
Mrs Tuck added: “We’ve named the appeal Save our Steeple, or SOS because that’s really what it is. Where would people go if Strathdon didn’t have a church?
“The congregational board will be attending the Lonach games [on Saturday] to kick off the fund and get the ball rolling.
“We ideally need to start work on the church by next summer, otherwise it is more than likely it would be lost, which would be a terrible loss to the whole community.
“Strathdon parish is also very close to my heart, because my family helped found the church and it would be devastating to lose it.
“We now just hope that locals and the wider community will get behind the Save our Steeple appeal.”
