The range of photographs and archives on display covers all five denominations in the parish: Church of Scotland, Free Church, Roman Catholic, Scottish Episcopal and the United Free Church (now amalgamated with the Church of Scotland), and considerable assistance had been given by their respective clergy and members of their congregations.

The stunning centrepiece tableau represents different facets in the life of all the churches, mainly worship, birth, marriage and death. Dominating the stage from the rear wall is a brilliantly backlit life-sized stained glass window, meticulously and artistically created by Betty Faassen de Heer, as was the rest of the stage set.

Clyne Heritage Society chairman Nick Lindsay welcomed the audience to the opening and thanked the contributors to the exhibition.

He also applauded the continuing generous support of the people of the village and the members, without which the exhibition could not take place and went on to report that the membership was actually up on last year's record.

Dr Lindsay also explained how the ecclesiastical theme for this year's exhibition had come about.

It had been pointed out during a conversation with the Rev Ian McCree of Clyne Church of Scotland about two years earlier that his Victoria Road church building was celebrating its centenary, the previous place of worship having been at Clynekirkton, and the committee decided to incorporate this within a general celebration of all the churches in the parish.

The chairman paid special tribute to the main creator of the exhibition, Betty Faassen de Heer, for her astonishing design and dedicated work on the spectacular stage display, to Betty's husband Bill for his stalwart support and effort, to Jacqui Aitken, Morag and Norman Gibson and Bill O'Brien for their contributions to the photographic and archive work, to Chris Hoyle for the evening's music and catering, and to John Macleod, who had given up many hours to look after electrical and lighting matters.

Dr Lindsay then introduced the guest of honour, popular nonagenarian and "local treasure" Hetty Cunningham, who spoke fondly about her long association with the United Free Church and later the Church of Scotland.

She went on to give a short history of the nine ministers she had known since she was baptised by the Rev Mr Tolmie in the United Free Church (now Highland Council's TEC Services office) in Victoria Road, and ended by emphasising the value this grounding had given her for life. To tumultuous applause, and bouquet of flowers in hand, she declared the exhibition open.

The guests filed through to the exhibition area to be met by the towering stained glass window above the masterfully choreographed central stage display of life-sized mannequin models depicting themes from the different churches and their functions.

The display includes a Free Church preaching scene, a Roman Catholic baptism, a Church of Scotland marriage and an Episcopalian priest and choirboy.

The death scene is non-denominational and features Old Father Time, sickle in hand, warning an unsuspecting whisky drinker that he might end up as Jock MacTavish (deceased), as depicted on the headstone on the adjacent grave.

At the opening are Clyne Heritage Society's exhibition team, left to right, Betty Faassen de Heer, Nick Lindsay, Hetty Cunningham, Bill Faassen de Heer and Jacquie Aitken.

Lining the perimeter of the exhibition area, display boards hold a selection of the fascinating photographs collected by the society or loaned by members and friends.

A beautiful display of present-day photographs of all of the places of worship and burial grounds in the parish, by Morag Gibson, sets the scene.

Some of the most interesting older images are of the huge gatherings which took place for Sunday School picnics around a hundred years ago.

Featuring in one of these groups of around 100 children and accompanying adults, pictured at Loth Station in 1927, is a young Hetty Cunningham and Rob Wilson, both current members of the society.

There are photographs of Sunday School sports days at Gordonbush and outings to places such as Dunbeath in the 1950s, in which many people present delighted in pointing themselves out, as did younger members from more recent Sunday School outings.

There are photographs of church celebrations over the years and potted histories of all of the local churches.

A beautiful pair of new display cabinets hold a host of important and fascinating artefacts, donated by parishioners or held by the society, including communion tokens, cups, plates and Bibles.

The guests enjoyed their trip down memory lane, and many reminiscences were evoked by the exhibits and photographs on display.

There are still some gaps in the text on the photographs, and the committee would appreciate any further information about these. Any further additions to the exhibition are always welcome.

Contact can be made via the society's website www.clyneheritage.com or directly to Brora Library.

The exhibition is open during normal library opening hours (tel: 01408 621128) and will run continuously until April 2008.

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