Building record MAB4412 - KIRKMICHAEL PARISH CHURCH

Kirkmichael Parish Church, built in 1807 to replace an earlier church (NJ12SW0009).

Kirkmichael Parish Church, built in 1807 to replace an earlier church (NJ12SW0009). It occupies the site of the earlier medieval church, the screen of which is built into wall of churchyard. There is a medieval dedication to St Michael the Archangel. Considerable alterations took place in 1907, with the interior re-arranged. There was further renovation in 1951 by architect Colonel Alexander Cattanach, after considerable damage by fire in 1950. It is a simple rectangular church, built from coursed rubble with tooled dressings. There are four round-headed windows in the South elevation with iron shutter hinges. There is a projecting gabled porch in the centre East gable, with a former gallery window above and small re-set stone mask in the gablet. There is a bellcote at the West gable apex, and a slate roof re-using roofing materials from the former Free Church, Craggan. There is a re-cast interior, with re-used pews and fittings from the former Free Church, Craggan, and a 1951 pulpit and Minister's chair. There is a graveyard with a rubble walled enclosure, with 19th and 20th century tombstones, some of which are made from local slate. A pair of simple gatepiers flank the entrance. The graveyard includes monuments to Rev Grant who served with the Lovat Scouts and was wounded in the South African War. Also a monument to Rev William Stuart, a missionary in Cape Colony, whose wife Jeanie is recorded by an inscription in the Bantu language from her 'faithful Africans' and the 'versatile'. Other monuments include those to the Dey family, ministers, academics and founders of an 'emporium' in Upper New York State. St Michael's Cross (NJ12SW0001) is also within the graveyard. Monumental inscriptions within the churchyard have been recorded by the Moray Burial Ground Research Group.

Period Notes
Built in 1807 on the site of a medieval church, with alterations in 1907. It was destroyed by fire in 1950 and rebuilt in 1951. It was designated on 22/02/1972, and changed from a B to a C(S) listing on 09/11/1987.

Img 283, 284, Img 283, 284 (Ground Photograph). SAB36070.

HOWAT, AJ, 1901, CHURCHES IN MORAY, 34 (Bibliographic reference). SAB729.

EELES, FC, 1910, UNDESCRIBED SCULPTURED STONES AND CROSSES .... PSAS 44, 354-372, pp. 361-2 (Bibliographic reference). SAB489.

PECK, EH, 1983, AVONSIDE EXPLORED: A GUIDE TO TOMINTOUL AND GLENLIVET, p.23 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1489.

MORAY BURIAL GROUND RESEARCH GROUP, 2003, NEWSLETTER, Issue 25, p. 8 (Bibliographic reference). SAB5098.

MORAY BURIAL GROUND RESEARCH GROUP, 2016, MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS: CHURCHES OF KIRKMICHAEL, TOMINTOUL PARISH & ST MICHAELS, TOMINTOUL CEMETERY AND WAR MEMORIALS (Bibliographic reference). SAB7660.

Apr 12 1985 , ED 16, ED 16 (Ground Photograph). SAB30290.

Jul 10 2008 , Untitled Source (Ground Photograph). SAB32074.

Oct 28 2022 , PUB-GR-22-10-233 - 246, PUB-GR-22-10-233 - 246 (Ground Photograph). SAB36236.

Record last edited

Sep 5 2025 1:59PM