A Message from Brian September 2025

In our local area there were a number of places which were considered to be Holy Ground; Aberlemno’s Standing Stones, The Culdee monastery at Guthrie and St.Trodlin’s Well at Rescobie. They were visited by people coming to pray, to look for guidance and in the case of St.Trodlins to be healed of health problems.

Ancient Scotland was full of such places. The Celtic Christians had an expression for such places- they called them “thin places”, somewhere , that is, where the division between earth and  heaven, between every day and spiritual life was tiny.

Jesus made it clear on His journeys that in a way everywhere can be a Holy Place if we turn to God with our need for peace, guidance and faith. He spoke to those who were outside the faith in places with no Holy name- because to Him they were all in God’s Kingdom.

A long time ago a visiting scholar asked a Highland crofter about his faith and the man said to him,

“God is always there, looking over my shoulder, guiding me.”

We might not express it in such a colourful way but what he said is important; that wherever we are on life’s journey God is there to care and to guide us.

May God bless you and all those you love,

Brian

A Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We give thanks that Your Son Jesus Christ  gave us hope and encouragement and taught us that you are in our lives and we may turn to You wherever we are in life.

Help us to remember the value of the gifts of friendship and that we do not need to be clever to be a caring person but only need to be willing to  give time, be ready to listen and try to bring light where there is darkness.

Lord, we remember in our prayers those who are struggling because of the situations they find themselves in, in places torn by warfare, hunger or natural disaster; we humbly pray that they may find strength and courage and ask that we may find ways that we can help them.

Bless our loved ones, our neighbours, and our friends and give them peace, we humbly pray.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen

Aberlemno Parish Church

This small country parish church has a long history. A church here was dedicated by Bishop David de Bernham in 1242, but the site's history may be substantially longer.

There is documentary evidence to suggest that Aberlemno Kirk was originally called Egglespether, a Pictish church of around 710AD by King Nechtan, although this is not agreed by some scholars. On the register of churches belonging to Restenneth in 1161/2 Egglespether is mentioned but by 1230 it had become known as Aberlemno.

The building today largely dates to 1722 when the church was more or less completely rebuilt, although a ridge of possibly earlier stonework survives at the base of the church's walls. It has a T-shape plan, with a later porch and rear extension. The church is built in coursed sandstone rubble, with ashlar surrounds and has a slate roof. It is surrounded by a small graveyard and the manse stands to the east.

The church is surrounded by a graveyard with many 19th century stones. It is famous for its Pictish stone however, which stands near the west gable of the church. It dates to the 8th century and commemorates the battle of Nechtansmere.

In 1983 the Church was linked to the neighbouring parish of Guthrie and Rescobie.

Although it is a very historic Church, it still has a very active congregation with weekly services.

A few photos taken when putting up the Christmas decorations in the Church:

Aberlemno Church Coffee Morning
5th November 2022

Click here to download an annotated PDF copy of the above photos.

Did you know there is the Aberlemno book club based in Aberlemno Church? The idea is that you can go along to the ‘library” to pick up a book. You may also take one you have read and no longer need in to the library as a swap. If you simply take a book the charge is £2. However, if you take along a book to exchange the charge is only £1.

The books are in the Church at the back of the west pews so can be accessed at any time during the day whilst the church is open. Please do feel free to browse the selection or add to the books on offer.

Memorial Stone

During the first lockdown I was asked to find a gravestone at Aberlemno for a gentleman trying to trace his ancestors. Whilst researching this I discovered that there was an area at the West of the Kirkyard which had been set aside for the burial of infants and still-born babies. As there was nothing to mark this area, we decided we should put a Memorial stone on the wall where these little ones were laid to rest. I contacted David McGovern of Monikie Rock Art who, when he heard what the memorial was for, very kindly donated the stone which he created. Raymond and Kelly prepared the area beside the stone and we were able to dedicate it on Sunday 25th of April not only to remember those little ones and their heart-broken families but also those today who go through the same tragic loss.

B.R.