Research in Action on Church Heritage

Two figures walk on dark green grass of a graveyard, towards the centre of the image - their backs facing the photographer. To the left of the photo is the wall of the church which is brown and yellow sandstone blocks. The woman walks slightly behind the man, wearing a white and black striped dress and black coat and has short hair. The man wears brown trousers and beige coat. The sky is blue with thin whispy clouds

Every perspective helped to demonstrate how layered church heritage is. A huge thank you to Chris, who guided us through the building and, along with Maureen, shared stories about the future plans for the church under community ownership #ReACH #ChurchHeritage

At the bottom of the image is a blue clipboard holding white paper on which 'research in action on church heritage' is written with the project logo. Behind the clipboard is the church exterior which includes a wooden doorway and stone vestibule with ornate cross above. Behind the vestibule is the walls of the church made of brown sandstone brick and grey slate roof

Beyond the architecture, we also spoke to locals and nearby businesses about their memories of Old High and what it means to them, as well as visitors to the churchyard - from Outlander to Jacobites, stories of concerts and hide & seek, we heard it all! #ReACH #ChurchHeritage

A woman stands in the centre of the image surrounded by wooden pews. She is wearing a black and white striped skirt and black coat and has short hair. She stands side on with arms raised holding a digital camera. She stands on a balcony which has a plush green ledge. Behind the balcony is a large stone arch which is inscribed. Within the arch - set a little back- is an organ with gold pipes. To the left of the arch is a stained glass window

Inside we explored the nooks and crannies - photographing pews, marble floors, stained glass windows, memorials and all the small details that carry centuries of worship #ReACH #ChurchHeritage

The top third of the image is a blue sky, with only a few clouds towards the middle at the right. Along the bottom third is the river which has ripples and is a dark blue with reflections of the building above. A road runs above the river bank and above the road are rectangular buildings. In the centre of the buildings is Old High church. The clock tower is at the centre and extends into the sky - it is rectangular with a spire. In front of the church are some trees and a grassy bank sloping to the road below

The site is believed to be where St Columba converted King Brude of the Picts in 565AD. The church has medieval origins and is layered in history. It's a prominent feature of the Inverness skyline, standing above the River Ness #ReACH #ChurchHeritage

Fieldwork at Old High Church, Inverness - one of Scotland's most historic urban churches and is deeply significant to both the local community and visitors #ReACH #churchheritage

At the bottom third of the image is a blue clipboard with papers attached with the heading 'Research in Action on Church Heritage' and the project logo. Behind the clipboard, is Old High Church. At the centre of the image is a wooden door with an arch way and vestibule which is attached to the rectangular exterior. The building is brown sandstone with grey slates for the roof. Above the ornate roof of the vestibule is a small rectangular window with quatrefoil glass. To the right of the door way is a narrow arched window

We've just returned from a few inspiring days of fieldwork in Inverness and the Black Isle, visiting churches, meeting local groups and hearing how communities are caring for and reimagining these remarkable buildings!

#ReACH #ChurchHeritage #Inverness

We had a brilliant afternoon with @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social and @socantscot.bsky.social! More celebrations of our launch event coming soon on our socials and our BRAND NEW website churchheritage.scot

What a fantastic launch event yesterday for @churchheritage.bsky.social, our collaborative project with @socantscot.bsky.social supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund and Pilgrim Trust.

Chaired by @lizzieswarbrick.bsky.social, we heard from 20 wonderful speakers followed by a panel discussion.

It was such a treat to be in a room full of people passionate about Scotland’s church heritage. Thank you for your talk about Arbuthnott church and its wonderful manuscripts Bryony!

4 people sat on a stage taking part in a discussion. The venue is an old church building. There are two banners on the stage. The audience is looking at the discussion

Thanks to all our speakers and attendees at our first @churchheritage.bsky.social project symposium.

A busy afternoon of lightning talks, discussion and networking and hopefully the start of lots of collaboration over the next 2 years. @socantscot.bsky.social
@scotchurchestrust.bsky.social

Really enjoyed the symposium - such knowledgeable enthusiasts!

If you LOVE Scottish church heritage and you're at loose end in Edinburgh tomorrow you can still book a free ticket for the launch of @churchheritage.bsky.social

This is the Heritage Lottery Fund & Pilgrim Trust funded project we're working on with our lovely colleagues at @socantscot.bsky.social

From quick-fire talks to discussion, our launch event is asking: what is church heritage and why does it matter today? Join us tomorrow online or in person at Augustine United Church 
Tickets still available!
🔗 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/launch-eve...

Image of Lichfield Cathedral door showing the intricate stone and wood carving, both figures and stonework.

Calling all church door enthusiasts!

Are you aware of an amazing church door, from the UK or Europe, with an interesting historical twist? Andrew Clark is researching a new book and needs your help!

Contact him by email here: info@churchgrants.co.uk

#churches #oldbuildings #doors

photo of the arched ceiling of a church with a chandelier. In the foreground is the gold chandelier with candles pointing upwards. The reflection of the sun creates a gold shadow behind which shows the intricate cross details on the arms of the chandelier. Behind (out of focus) is a stained glass, with purples, reds and blues.

What part of a church tells its story best - the pulpit, the pews, the font, the stained glass..? Our lightning talks will introduce you to a range of material culture and question how we understand church heritage. Join the conversation online and in person

🔗 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/launch-eve...

We’re hosting our first symposium this Thursday! Join us for discussion on church heritage in Scotland

📆 Thursday 11th September

⏰ 1pm – 5.30pm

📍Augustine United Church & online!

🔗 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/launch-eve...

An image from the church’s Facebook with a picture of the building with the words ‘SAVED! Our campaign was successful’ overlaid.

Unhappier days a couple of years ago with a ‘for sale’ sign taped onto the church’s gates and its notice board empty.

An image of Inverness Old High from the south west.

We’re so thrilled to hear this evening that Inverness Old High church has been SAVED for its community!

This is a really important building, from its medieval tower and the pockmarks on its facade from executions of Jacobites to its glorious interior. Well done to all who helped make this happen!

An image of a desk with a print out of our ‘person specification’ and my iPad - ready to take notes on applications.

Reviewing applications for our new Community Officer role - my heart is so full reading about all the amazing heritage outreach our candidates are doing! ❤️💪

Work With Us: Fellowship and Administration Officer - Society of Antiquaries of Scotland The Society is looking for a new Fellowship and Administration Officer to help grow our flourishing global network and support our busy programme of public and Fellows-Only events. Job Description  The Fellowship and Administration Officer is the main point of contact for Society Fellows, applicants and general enquiries. They administer and update records in the Society’s database and support the ...

🏛️ Job opportunities at Society of Antiquaries of Scotland! Fellowship & Administration Officer (full-time, permanent) + Community Officer for Finding Futures for Scotland's Churches project (part-time, 2 years). Both close 13 July!
🔗www.socantscot.org/n...
🔗www.socantscot.org/n...


#JobAlert

The Book of Deer, a pocket gospel-book, lying open.

July 11: Feast of Drostan († early C7th), founder-abbot of the Pictish monastery of Deir (Deer). Several dedications to him in NE Scotland including Episcopal church at Old Deer. The old church at Aberdour, Aberdeenshire, claimed his relics. Also Dec 15. The C10th Book of Deer #medievalsky

Saved for the community by Historic Churches Scotland. An absolute cracker of a church!

Public Backs Historic Churches: Research Reveals Significant 'Heritage Premium' | Historic England New research reveals strong public support for preserving historic churches.

New research into the public value and support for the preservation of the heritage of church buildings.

Something we’ll be exploring in our @scotchurchfutures.bsky.social project over the next two years.

historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/ne...

The very ornate 19th century assembly room in the Free Church of Scotland’s building on the Mound in Edinburgh. The walls are wood panelled and carved to resemble classical architecture. The ceiling is pale blue and adorned with many patterns and features in white and gold. Portraits hang on the left wall and there is stained glass in the central window.

Lovely venue (well to be honest, this is really the room next door the actual meeting room) for the Finding Futures project’s first attendance at @thebefs.bsky.social Places of Worship Forum. Thank you to all who attended all for such good conversations!

Kincraig community hopes to buy historic church - BBC News The Finding Futures for Scotland's Churches has been supported by a £229,015 lottery grant.

Coverage of our new @scotchurchfutures.bsky.social project launch.

We have a busy two years ahead, working with others, to ensure the heritage value of churches is not lost as more and more change use.

@socantscot.bsky.social @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A small whitewashed church with a small bell tower, in a graveyard.

On the day that we launch our Finding Futures for Scotland’s Churches project @socantscot.bsky.social I just happen to be in Portmahomack visiting the Tarbat Discovery Centre. Originally a medieval church, it opened as a museum nearly 26 years ago.

www.tarbat-discovery.co.uk

Would you like to get more involved? We’re recruiting a Community Officer for the project! Deadline 13th July.

Plan launched to save cultural heritage of Scotland's vanishing churches Efforts have begun to safeguard Scotland’s churches and preserve their heritage with hundreds predicted to close their doors in the coming years.…

Lovely piece in today’s @heraldscotland.bsky.social about the launch of our project today www.heraldscotland.com/news/2527341...

It’s me! I can finally reveal that I’ve been appointed as the Research Officer for this vital project.

Hundreds of churches are currently closing or at risk here in Scotland. This work will rapidly assess our endangered heritage and work with communities to find solutions.

So excited to launch our project today! Huge thanks to National Lottery players for funding this crucial work.

If you want to keep in touch with what we’re up to, then please give us a follow… along with @socantscot.bsky.social and @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social of course!