Church Overview

This remarkable building has long been known by the affectionate name of ‘The Lamp of the North’, until it closed in 2023 it was often cited as of the oldest pre-Reformation Scottish churches that was still in use for regular worship.

At the core of the church are fragments of a 14th century Premonstratensian Abbey built during the reign of Alexander II. Patrick Hamilton, was the perhaps it most famous incumbent commendator here, assuming the office in 1517 and holding it until he was burned as a heretic in 1528. The abbey became ruinous thereafter and was eventually repurposed after the Reformation as a parish church for the new Reformed Church of Scotland. Reconstructed a number of times, the current simple oblong church, incorporating elements of the medieval building, was substantially rebuilt in 1772 by James Rich, a surveyor from Cromarty.

Significant restoration work has taken place over the years. Beginning in 1814, supervised by Hector MaccPhail, then in 1857 and 1871 overseen by Andrew Maitland & Son, in 1899 by William Cross Joass, in 1972 by the firm of Ian Gordon Lindsay & Partners and, most recently, from 2002-03 under the supervision of Historic Scotland.

The look and feel of its interior is mainly the result of the 1972 refurbishment, that removed much of the interventions made during previous work. Around the walls, the church’s medieval sedilia, piscina and aumbry can still be seen along with various 18th and 19th century monuments to the Rosses of Balnagowan. There is also recessed tomb for Abbot Finlay McFaed who died in 1485 in the St Michael’s Aisle, containing the effigy of the cleric. Further interesting graveslabs and monuments may be seen in the surrounding graveyard.

The Church of Scotland closed the church in 2023, during a period of rationalisation of its national property portfolio by the denomination. In the summer of 2025, it was announced that a local community group, the Friends of Fearn Abbey, had been granted £93,600 by the Scottish Land Fund to purchase the historic church for the benefit of the local community and to turn it into a tourist attraction.

Services

Unknown at this time

Opening Arrangements

Unknown at this time

Disclaimer

The information about churches in Scotland’s Churches Scheme has been provided by the congregations or taken from the Historic Scotland list and published sources, in particular, the Buildings of Scotland volumes and the RIAS Illustrated Architectural Guides. To contact this specific church please complete the Contact this Church form above. The information is not authoritative; please contact Scotland’s Churches Trust to let us know of any errors or omissions.