Description

Within the burial ground of Alness is the roofless remains of Alness Old Parish Church which is thought to have been reconstructed in 1775 and which was unroofed in 1970. Occupying a commanding site overlooking the Cromarty Firth, it is one of an important grouping of distinguished Post-Reformation churches of the eastern seaboard of Scotland. Originally, the church would have been the focus of a medieval settlement before the town of Alness moved eastwards leaving the church, manse and former glebe isolated.

Project

Whereas it was one of six priority sites which were identified in the audit of historic kirkyard buildings in Ross and Cromarty previously commissioned and undertaken on behalf of the Trust, Alness Old Parish Church had been the focus of attention and resources by the Trust since 1998 when the Trust submitted a proposal to the owners, the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland to carry out a feasibility study to establish whether there was a viable new use for the building and whether it was repairable and to enhance the understanding of the cultural significance of the building. To assist it further in arriving at an understanding of the significance of the site, assess its condition, risk and accessibility with a view to identifying priorities for action towards its conservation, consolidation and interpretation in partnership with the local community, the local heritage group, Historic Scotland and The Highland Council, the Trust has over the years commissioned a series of studies:

• Outline Conservation Statement (January 2002 revised May 2002)
• Feasibility Study (June 2002) (at the request of the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland, HBPT commissioned a feasibility study to establish whether there was a viable new use for the building and whether it was repairable and to enhance the understanding of the cultural significance of the building)
• Fabric Inspection Report (February 2005)
• Conservation Report on Carved Stones (June 2005)
• Advisory Report on Conservation of Fabric (June 2005)
• Archaeological Desk-based Assessment (July 2005)
• Preparation of Audience Development, Access and Interpretation Plans (September 2005)
• Conservation Plan (December 2005)
• Highland Kirkyards Project (March 2010) - Ross and Cromarty
• Options Appraisal Phase One - Architect's Report, Measured Drawings and Condition Reports for 6 Kirkyards (March 2012)
• Interpretation Plan (March 2012)
• Cost Report (March 2012)

Having been unsuccessful in raising the necessary support and funds to consolidate and interpret the ruins of Alness Old Parish Church, HHBT  have embarked on the development of a heritage trail which includes Alness, and the other Post Reformation churches namely the Gaelic Chapel in Cromarty, Cromarty East Church, Nigg Old Church, Tarbat Old Church, Edderton Old Church, Golspie Parish Church, and Kiltearn Old Parish Church. as well as a number of sites of interest based on the rich farmlands of the Black Isle and Easter Ross around the Cromarty Firth.

See Cromarty Firth Heritage Leaflet.

Design Team

Leslie F Hunter Architects	Architect and Lead Consultant
Addison Conservation and Design	Conservation Engineers
Torrance Partnership	Quantity Surveyors
Rowan Tree Consulting	Interpretive Consultants
Andrew Wright	Architect and Heritage Consultant

Funding

The Trust is grateful to Historic Scotland, The Highland Council, and the Highland Leader Programme for the support received in respect of the various studies undertaken so far.

Funding was secured from the following organisations:

• LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITIES
• Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations