Cromarty East Church

Harled, slated and T-plan in form, the church developed from an initial slender rectangle through several phases of enlargement, culminating in the addition of a north aisle in 1739-41. The interior contains box pews of the 18th and 19th centuries, some of which incorporate reused painted panels. The furnishings and movables are remarkably complete and include a number of rare survivals, adding to the authenticity and interest of the building.

The surrounding graveyard, in the care of Highland Council, contains a number of memorials carved by the geologist, writer and church reformer Hugh Miller (1802-1856) during his time as a stone mason in Cromarty. The church is also significant for its associations with Sir Thomas Urquhart (c.1611-1660) and George Ross (c.1700-1786).

As the former Parish Church, and the historic place of worship for the town, the East Church reflects much of the fortunes of the society it served through the centuries, and is rich in the history of Cromarty and its people. Today, the church continues to provide a tangible link to the past for the community and visitors alike and, together with Hugh Miller’s Cottage (National Trust for Scotland) and the Court House (Cromarty Court House Trust), is a key building in the town’s built heritage, contributing to Cromarty’s reputation as “the jewel in the crown of Scottish vernacular architecture”.

To download a pdf file with a detailed history of the East Church by David Alston, produced with the help of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, click here.

The East Church was acquired by the SRCT from the Church of Scotland General Trustees in 1998 for £1 after being declared surplus to requirement by the Presbytery of Ross.

The East Church is open every day throughout the year during daylight hours. Four services of Sunday worship are conducted in the church during the summer months, and weddings, baptisms and funerals are held by arrangement with the local minister. Secular events are also held in the church. In the past these have included concerts, recitals, exhibitions, a flower festival and a children’s opera.

The building is cared for on a day-to-day basis by a local volunteer group, the Friends of Cromarty East Church. Contact us to find out how you can become a Friend of the East Church.

Opening Hours

Open every day during daylight hours.

Access

There are two steps up from Church Street through the entrance gate into the graveyard. A temporary ramp can be made available on request. A short, gently sloping, path leads from the gate to the church. Access within the ground floor of the church is level but some surfaces are uneven due to the age of the building. Steep stairs lead to lofts (galleries) within the church. For safety reasons, we suggest that young children are supervised at all times by an adult. If you have any particular access requirements, or require assistance, please contact us in advance of your visit.

Repair and Conservation of the East Church

The condition of the East Church has given cause for concern since the early 1980s when problems of damp penetration were tackled with only partial success. Some repairs carried out at this time appear to have exacerbated certain problems rather than alleviating them.

Since taking ownership of the church in 1998, the SRCT has maintained the building in a wind and watertight condition and has undertaken regular routine maintenance. However, lack of major investment in the building for much of the 20th century means that its condition is poor, and in recent years there has been a marked deterioration.

The SRCT plans to regenerate the East Church, and to enable access, use and understanding of this nationally significant building to be enhanced and developed for the enjoyment of all. In order to achieve this aim, a comprehensive scheme of repairs and conservation must be carried out to address long-term under-investment in maintenance, underlying problems of damp and rot, and earlier inappropriate or inadequate work. This scheme includes not only the fabric of the building but also its fittings, fixtures, artefacts, and elements of the surrounding graveyard, all of which contribute significantly to the heritage asset as a whole. Click here to download a pdf file of the East Church Conservation Plan by Andrew PK Wright, produced with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Please note this is a large file (12.6Mb).

Following repair and conservation of the building, secular uses and activities will be developed whilst continuing use for worship on an occasional basis. The East Church will also be further promoted as a heritage and educational resource, and the SRCT will work cooperatively with local and national organisations to achieve this.

The repair and regeneration project will result in the development of a detailed understanding of the complex history of the church, enabling much-improved information and interpretation to be provided, complementing and enhancing that of existing visitor attractions in Cromarty. New opportunities, including a visitor trail linking related churches in the region will also be explored.

The project will be carried out following best conservation practice and, wherever possible, incorporate training and skills development in specialist fields and traditional techniques. A particular priority is to engage with young people in the community, and to use the project to give them access to training and other opportunities.

The process, not simply the end result, is an important aspect of the project and is seen by the SRCT as an exciting opportunity to involve and interest a wide variety of people at a unique point in the building’s history. While work is on site, emphasis will be placed on raising awareness and understanding of a range of subjects through public open days, “hands-on” sessions, tours, presentations and educational visits.

Over £1 million is required to carry out the project. Funds will be raised through grant applications to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland and charitable trusts. The East Church is also a candidate in the new series of BBC2’s Restoration Village in which historic buildings throughout the UK compete to win funding. Click here for more information.

DONATE TO THE EAST CHURCH RESTORATION FUND

The SRCT has already received many generous offers of support from people from across Scotland, the UK, and the world, wanting to contribute money towards the East Church. This is incredibly welcome, and much appreciated by the people of Cromarty and the SRCT. Donations can be made in the form of a cheque from a UK bank account, or travellers cheques, and these should be made payable to The Scottish Redundant Churches Trust (Cromarty East Church) and sent to the SRCT at 4 Queen’s Gardens, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9TA. UK taxpayers should remember that Gift Aid can add 28p to the value of every £1 donated. Please contact us if you would like further information about making a donation, or leaving a legacy to the East Church. Thank you for supporting the East Church.

A History of the East Church
A History of the East Church by David Alston. Download here. (pdf: 496K)
Produced with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Friends of Cromarty East Church
Contact us to find out more about becoming a Friend of Cromarty East Church.

The East Church and BBC's Restoration Village
Click here for more about the East Church in Restoration Village.