Burial Ground, Ardclach Old Parish Church

Burial Ground, Ardclach Old Parish Church is a historic parish graveyard near the village of Ferness in Highland, Scotland. It surrounds the former Ardclach parish church and is still used for burials today, so it is both a living place of remembrance for local families and a quiet marker of the region's history.

What is this place?

The graveyard encloses the old Ardclach parish church, a Category B listed building (listed in 1971). The listing covers the church and the burial ground together. The church has a plain T-shaped plan and is built of rubble stone. There is little decoration here, and the sturdy, simple form suits the rural landscape of northern Scotland.

What is the history of the church?

Accounts of the church's date differ. One version says the present building was put up in 1765 by Donald McAndrew, remodelling an earlier church of 1626. Roll mouldings on the east gable are taken as traces of that older building. The Highland historic environment record, however, notes that the 1626 date is only traditionally "said", and that the present structure shows little evidence of a seventeenth-century origin. The church was altered during both the 18th and 19th centuries.

The last service was held here on 24 January 1956. Since then the building has not been used for worship, and its furnishings were moved to the current parish church, which occupies the former Ardclach Free Church.

What is in the graveyard?

A survey carried out in 1997 recorded 225 monuments. They range from the late 18th century to the present day. Walking among them shows how headstone styles and burial customs changed in a Scottish rural parish over more than two centuries. The ground remains in use, so the usual graveyard etiquette applies.

What is the link with Ferness?

The parish was formed after the Reformation. Before that, the district was served by two chapels, one at Ferness and one at Lethen. The Ferness chapel is the likely source of the dedication to St Moluag (St Luag) associated with the area. For anyone interested in early Christianity in Scotland, it is an interesting thread back to the roots of the local community.

Frequently asked questions

Is the burial ground still in use? Yes, burials still take place here.

Can I go inside the church? The church has not been used for services since 1956. Worship takes place in the current parish church, the former Free Church.

How old are the gravestones? The recorded monuments date from the late 18th century to modern times.

Who is this place for? History and genealogy enthusiasts, and anyone who likes quiet places off the usual routes. It is not a visitor attraction with facilities but a historic country graveyard, best visited respectfully and unhurried.

Tips for visitors

Plan your visit for daylight and fair weather, as the site is open and set in rural Highland countryside. Bring a camera if you are interested in old inscriptions and stonework, but remember this is a resting place: keep noise down and do not touch or lean on the memorials. Ferness and the Findhorn valley nearby suit a combination of the visit with a short walk in the surrounding countryside.