Celebration to mark Eriboll Church renovation
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A CELEBRATION has been held to mark the restoration of a historic north-coast church which had started to become an eyesore.
Danish clothing magnate Anders Holch Povlsen’s company Wildland Ltd undertook a full restoration of Eriboll Church near Durness costing “six figures”.
The church is on the 18,000-acre Eriboll Estate owned by Mr Povlsen.
Around 100 people attended the dedication service, conducted by the Rev Simon Matthews, who spoke of new beginnings and the “great natural theatre we find ourselves in.”
Tim Kirkwood, CEO of Wildland Ltd, told the service that Eriboll Church was built around 1804 as a place of worship, refuge and marking of occasions.
“The Church has seen some extraordinary events over the last 215 years,” he said.
“In 1934, HMS Hood which had been launched in 1918 as Britain’s biggest warship, spent some time at anchor in Loch Eriboll.
“Members of the crew came ashore and set out the name of the ship in stones on the hillside above Laid.
“Seven years later in 1941, the Hood was sunk by the German warship Bismark, during the battle of the Denmark Straight between Iceland and Greenland. Of the 1418 members of crew on board, only three survived.
“A plaque to their memory is on the wall of this church and thanks to the efforts of children from Durness Primary School who started their conservation in 1993, the stones still pick out the name on the hillside.
“The Church, privately owned by Eriboll Estate, whilst only a building, is a notable landmark locally and highly visible by the many who now travel the North Coast 500 route.
“It is therefore, perhaps, perceived as an indicator of how things are going in the community and landscape of this truly remarkable and special area.
“Anders and Anne Povlsen are now custodians of the church and Wildland is committed to restoration and creating new beginnings for the area.
“This church – modest – understated, but I hope you agree, beautifully restored, filled with the sound of singing and music is a step in that direction.
“Without people and place, opportunity and livelihood, our landscapes will be poorer.
“We hope that Eriboll Church – historic and modest but beautiful and rejuvenated, will be set in a flourishing and enriched landscape.
“A place that will bring people together for celebration – for weddings, for christenings - a place for remembrance and sanctuary – a place that reflects a community that values its heritage and environment.
“Thank you, Anders and Anne who have made this possible.”
Children from Farr High School and the Big Sing Choir provided music and Rachel Parrott recited a reading.
Wildland appointed leading conservation specialists Groves-Raines Architects to come up with the restoration scheme.
The church originally doubled as a mission schoolhouse for children on the estate. The church graveyard is situated two miles away over “the hill”, facing south, so that the souls within encounter the sun’s warmth.
