Home   News   Article

Mystery as historic bible found in north coast hall


By Caroline McMorran

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

A 152-year-old, long forgotten bible has been discovered in a cupboard in a north Sutherland hall.

The cupboard, situated between the loos at Armadale Hall has not been opened since the key to it was lost some time ago.

But it had to be crowbarred open last Saturday when an asbestos survey of the property took place.

Hall representative Caroline Jones said: “We were expecting to find a few shelves of cleaning supplies, loo roll and an old mop, but we certainly weren’t expecting what we found!”

The bible was in a wooden box along with a wooden dish. Its title page reads: “Presented to the Rev’d Richard Waterston by the Ladies of the Congregation on his induction to the charge of the Union Free Church, Glasgow. 28th February 1867.”

Ms Jones said: “How it ended up in Armadale Village Hall is currently a mystery.

“Our management committee chairwoman Joyce Campbell remembers going to services at the hall on the occasional Sundays as a child but doesn’t recall this being brought out.”

Rev Waterston died on January 6, 1892, in Dundee. He had four children.

Followers of the hall’s Facebook page have expressed their amazement at the find.

“Jackie Smith posted: “Wow what a find. Such history. I’m glad it was found, now it can be kept as local heritage.”

And James Gordon wrote: “If you can find out the history of the bible it will be very interesting.”

Meanwhile plans are progressing to replace the much-loved, corrugated-iron roofed hall with a new, energy-efficient structure, big enough to seat 100 people. Funding totalling £400,000 has been secured.

Ms Jones said: “The contract for the new build is currently out to tender on the Public Contracts Scotland website with a deadline of September 27 so we should be getting going soon after that.”


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More