Scottish Highlands - Historic Churches

The oldest ecclesiastical ruin in the north of Scotland, St Mary's is a roofless 12th-century chapel on a headland overlooking the sea. The chapel is surrounded by a graveyard that was in use until sometime after 1872, and a short distance away is a holy well also dedicated to St Mary.
Crosskirk, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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The partial ruins of a 14th-century chapel founded by Amie MacRuari (MacRory), the wife of John, first Lord of the Isles. Lady Amie is said to have established the chapel to serve the fishermen of Kallin, many of whom are thought to have been buried in a nearby graveyard associated with the chapel, though no trace of this now remains.
Kallin, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Syre Church is a prefabricated church made of corrugated iron, erected in 1891 to serve the scattered community of Strathnaver. It is typical of the so-called 'tin churches' built in isolated places throughout the Highlands and has remained unaltered since it was erected.
B873, Syre, Strathnaver, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, KW11 6UG

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Heritage Highlight: A good example of a Highland 'tin church'

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Tarbat Old Parish Church incorporates a Pictish monastery church erected as early as the 8th or 9th century. The monastery itself goes back to the 6th century and was one of the most important early Pictish Christian sites. The church now houses the Tarbat Discovery Centre, a museum dedicated to the Picts and local heritage, with displays of carved Pictish stones found on the site.
13 Tarbatness Road, Portmahomack, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV20 1YA

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Heritage Highlight: The church stands on the site of the earliest Pictish monastery in Scotland

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Just off the coastal round on the extreme east end of Berneray stands a roofless ruin of a church designed by famed Scottish engineer Thomas Telford. Though Telford was most known for his engineering works, especially bridges, he also undertook several architectural commissions, and the Berneray church is among these.
Bays Loch, Berneray, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Old St Peter's Church was the original parish church of Thurso, possibly founded around 1220 by Gilbert Murray, Bishop of Caithness. Now a ruin, highlights include an early medieval apse and a beautifully-preserved south window.
Wilson Lane, Thurso, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, KW14 8BT

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Heritage Highlight: Beautifully traceried south window

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Known in Gaelic as Teampull na Trionaid, this ruined chapel dates to the late 12th or early 13th century. It is traditionally said to have been established by Beathag, daughter of Somerled. The chapel was expanded and rebuilt from 1350-1390 by Ami Nic Ruri, wife of John, Lord of the Isles.
A865, Cairinis, North Uist, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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At Trumpan a roofless church stands overlooking Ardmore Bay, on the northern tip of the beautiful Waternish peninsula of Skye. This medieval building was the setting for a terrible clan massacre in 1578 when the men of Clan MacLeod killed a party of MacDonalds from South Uist.
Trumpan, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV55 8GW

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Heritage Highlight: A pair of medieval grave slabs

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Westside Church is a roofless 12th-century Romanesque church, one of best preserved medieval churches of Orkney. It was built by an unknown Norse chief, whose farm lies atop the nearby cliffs. The building is simple, consisting of only a nave and chancel. For many years it served as the parish church.
Tuquoy, Westray, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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