As it’s St Fillan’s 900th anniversary I’m looking at Rev. Rutherford’s children’s address, where he talks about the history of the church. There is none for this week, so instead I’m looking at Birnie Kirk possibly the second oldest church in Scotland.
Birnie Kirk is a 12th century parish church located near Elgin, in Moray, Scotland. It was the first cathedral of the Bishop of Moray and is one of the oldest in Scotland to have been in continuous use. The graveyard, symbol stone and archaeological remains under the church have been designated a scheduled monument by Historic Environment Scotland – wikipedia.
Birnie Kirk was built in the years around 1140. But if the kirk itself is ancient, the site on which it stands is still more so – Undiscovered Scotland.
You can see from the photos that it is very similar in design to St Fillan’s.
It is linked with Pluscarden Church – Birnie and Pluscarden church website.
The website looks out of date and it mentions they are waiting for the Presbytery Plan deliberation’s which are due out in early 2023.
Searching online the Moray Draft Presbytery Plan says:
Birnie Church – No facilities. Not really at the centre of a community.
Birnie Church Hall – Community hall available in the small communities.
Pluscarden Church – Community hall available in the small communities.
All to be disposed of by August 2027.
