Inverness Old High churchyard becomes a litter eyesore only weeks after ceasing to be place of worship
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A SHOCKED former member of the Old High Church congregation in Inverness has highlighted the disgraceful state of the churchyard only days after the Church of Scotland abandoned the building as a place of worship.
These photographs were taken in mid-afternoon on Monday this week, showing overflowing bins and litter strewn by wind and scavenging birds.
Journalist Willie Morrison asks: "Are these photographs, which I took in the Old High Church precincts, a foretaste of what's going to happen to the historic site which can justifiably lay claim to being the Cradle of Christianity in the North Highlands, being the place where St Columba reputedly converted the Pictish King Brude in 565 AD?"
Mr Morrison added: "The Church of Scotland seems already to have abandoned this, the city's oldest building, following its rather hurried deconsecration on March 4, after many centuries as its premier place of worship.
"Meanwhile, Highland Council, which I understand owns the churchyard, appears to have forsaken any attempt to keep it tidy, while no doubt the local gulls will continue to play their part in spreading rubbish placed in and around the two packed litter bins."
Highland Council quickly responded with a spokeswoman saying: “We ask people to report litter, fly-tipping and bin spillage using the online reporting forms at www.highland.gov.uk/report which are available 24/7.”
The future use of the iconic Inverness landmark is being discussed at present with a local group, Friends of the Old High Church being actively involved.
The formal closure service earlier this month in the A-listed building was a poignant occasion, marking the end of centuries of worship in the building.
The decision to close its doors follows a vote by members after the Church of Scotland said it was not financially viable to maintain both the Old High and the B-listed St Stephen’s in Crown.
The Old High has a long association with the Cameron and Queen’s Own Highlanders and veterans attended along with representatives from Highland Council and the local community.
The Kirk Session arranged a congregational vote last September and members voted to close the Old High building by 179 votes to 71.
The last public service of worship was held on January 30 and led by locum minister, Rev James Bissett.
