Balquidder Church

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Buildings

 Present Church, built by David Carnagie, was opened in September, 1855.The Architect was David Bryce. Many experiments have been tried to cure  it's damp walls. In 1990 a new heating system was installed. Ruined Church bears date 1631 and was built by David Murray, Lord Scone, whose initials appear above the doorway. It is built partly on top of the pre-reformation Church. It's bell donated by Rev. Robert Kirk(e) and used until 1895, is hanging at the entrance to the Friendship Room.
Pre-Reformation Church dating perhaps to 13th centuary or earlier . Foundations can be seen near Rob Roy's grave. Was known as Eaglais Beag or Little Church and may have been built over the grave of St Angus.

Artifacts

• St Angus Stone. Believed to have lain over the grave of St Angus. May date from 750-850A.D.

• Font, gouged out of local stone. It's age is a mystery. Both St Angus Stone and Font were moved into the church in 1917.

• Bell of Old Church bears date of 1684 together with an interesting inscription.

• Offering Ladles about 200 years old and still in use .

• The Old Gaelic Bible, presented 1688 by Robert Boyle , the famous physicist

• O'Domhnull's Gaelic New Testemant translated by Rev .Robert Kirk(e)

• Cross -Suspended from West wall was installed in 1990 , a gift of the Friends of Balquhidder Church.

• Front Pew- Renovated in 1998 by John McNaughton who skillfully incorporated , probably the oldest artifact in the Church , a strip of blackened Bog Oak which is approx 5,ooo years Old.

People

This Parish is the traditional home of the McLarens and is also associated with the Balquhidder Fergus(s)ons, the McGregors and the Stewarts of Glenbuckie.

Amongst others connected with the Church are :-

• St Angus - Patron Saint and Celtic Preacher , who is commemorated by a stone on the north wall.Stone once stood in front of alter of the old Church and people of the district stood on it while being married .

• Rev Robert Kirk(e) , Minister of the parish 1669-1685 , famous for writing Gaelic metrical version of the first hundred psalms and translating the Gaelic Bible  from Irish into Roman characters.Also known for his studies of Fairy Lore and second Sight. His pamphlet " The Secret Commonwealth of Elves , Fauns and fairies " was re-printed in 1815 through the interest of Sir Walter Scott.

• Robert Campbell or McGregor (Rob Roy) , was born Glengyle (Loch Katrine ) 1671 , died at Inverlochlairg six miles west of here in 1734 and is buried in the Churchyard.

Notable Gravestones

• Clan Maclaurin stone just beyond centre of ruined church .

• Rob Roy and Family - railed off , just east of ruined church .

• Isabel Campbell - first wife of Robert Kirk(e0 ( died 25th December , 1680 aged 25 ).Stone now very eroded , reputed to have been carved by her husband .Top of ban above west gate .

• MacLaren Chiefs are commemorated in the 1631 church.

Historical Events

1506 - August 28 - King James 1V paid first of many visits to the church .
1533 - Three members of Clan McLaurin outlawed for murder od Sir John McLaurin , Vicar of Balquhidder.
1589 _ The "Ethnic Swearing " of Clan McGregor over head of Drummond-Eanoch took place at Eaglais Beag.
1751 - February . Robin Oig (youngest son of Rob Roy ) and Jean Key made declaration of marriage before kirk session .(No trace in records )
1855 - September 9 -Present Chursh opened for worship.
1869 - Church was visited by Queen Victoria .
1917 - September . St Angus Stone and Font  moved into church .
1975 - October 12 - Service attended by McGregors from all over the world to commemorate the lifting 200 years earlier of the ban of the use of the MacGregors name .
1986 - Inauguration of Summer Music Concerts in Church on Sunday evenings in July and August .
1989 - Setting up of the Friends of Balquhidder Church Association .
1989 -August, Opening of Friendship Room in Church .
1993 - Bridge erected at Waterfall.
1996 - Balquhidder Parish Church linked with Killin & Ardeonaig churches .
1997 - Old Kirk ruin repointed using traditional lime mortar and made safe by Historic Scotland & McLaren Society .

Tartan on this page is MacGregor

Information used on this page is from the fact sheet available at Balquhidder Church. If you have enjoyed your virtual visit then make a point of visiting in the flesh, you will be most welcome.