Durness, Church of Scotland

^Our records are unclear as to whether this church is still open. Click the arrow on the line above to find links to search for web sites of current churches when one is not listed here, or within the address. If you know it has closed then please let us know.

Little information is available on the current church.

The remains of the former parish church are at Balnakeil (OS NC3911068660), which was built in 1619 and had an aisle added to the N in 1692. It was in use until about 1814 when the present church was built. Although somewhat irregular in plan, it is generally typical of its period with a belfry on the E gable. The remains stand to the wall-head, the crow-stepped gables being intact. The earliest reference occurs between 1223 and 1245 when it was assigned to find light and incense for the cathedral church, but it is said to have been a Celtic foundation of St Maelrubba. An old font known as the 'Clach na sagart ruadh' or 'stone of the red priest', lay in front of the door of Balnakiel House before 1867 but by 1874 it had been moved to within the church. The church is said to occupy 'the site of a cell of Dornoch monastery', but there is no mention of such by Easson.

It is now a ruin. Its irregular plan is similar to others of the period.. It is largely an off-centred T-plan, and the pulpit was placed in the middle of the long side wall, facing the wing or bottom of the 'T'. The gables are crow-stepped and one has a belfry on top. A lintel in the doorway has an inscription '16. HMK. A'. There are various simple, rectangular windows in the structure. The roof is completely gone. All the walls and gables are (or were) fully intact at the last visit, but this may now be not the case.

For further information see The Past and Present of Durness.

It is located at NC4042566936 (Lat/Lon 58.561094, -4.744806). You can see this on maps provided by:

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