PICTURES: Congregation joined by Army veterans and civic leaders for final service at historic Old High Church in Inverness
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Army veterans were among those who attending a poignant service to mark the end of worship at the Old High Church in Inverness.
The historic church formed a union in 2003 with St Stephen’s Church in Crown but it is no longer financially viable for the Church of Scotland to maintain both places.
The Old High has served as the regimental kirk for The Cameron Highlands and it also hosts the annual Kirking of the Council ceremony.
Members of the Queen’s Own Highlanders (Seaforth & Camerons) Regimental Association joined the congregation at the closure service last Friday.
Civic leaders including Inverness Provost Helen Carmichael, Depute Provost Bet McAllister and Councillors Roddy Balfour and Carolyn Caddick also attended.
The church stands on St Michael’s Mound where St Columba reputedly converted the Pictish King Brude to Christianity in 565.
The present church was built between 1770 and 1772 but the lowest part of the west tower dates back to the 14th century, making it the city’s oldest building structure.
It was requisitioned by government forces to house Jacobite prisoners captured at the Battle of Culloden and those condemned to death were shot in the churchyard.
Tears as last regular service takes place
