The Church of Scotland
These Parishes are part of the Presbytery of Lorn and Mull within the Church of Scotland.
The Church of Scotland claims its place as part of the Holy Catholic (or Universal) Church
and is within the Reformed tradition. Its parishes cover every square inch of Scotland and
each Parish exists as much for everyone resident in it as for those who are members of the
church. If you wish to learn more about the Church of Scotland, you may do so at its
website. Area
The Parish of Glenorchy and Innishail once covered the whole area from Rannoch Moor in the
North, through Glen Orchy to Loch Awe, taking both sides of the Loch at its eastern end
and touching Loch Etive at Inverawe near Taynuilt. How a minister could cope with this in
the 17th Century defies imagination. The present Parish boundaries are different but just
as extensive, being just to the south of Bridge of Orchy to the north, through Glen Orchy
and then down the south side of Loch Awe beyond Eredine village, a distance of over 40
miles (on one track roads).
The Parish of Strathfillan is a later creation and takes in
part of what was Glenorchy and Innishail. It now covers a strip of Scotland roughly
between Glen Coe and Loch Lomond.
Name and History
Glenorchy
Glen Orchy is the principal glen of the area and is one of the ancient North-South routes.
The Parish church has always been at Dalmally although this is not within the Glen. It is,
in fact built on an island on the River Orchy, called at one time Clachan Dysart, which
may mean the Kirk-town of the Hermitage. Conan, a 7th century saint and hermit, lived here
and the old church of Glenorchy was dedicated to him. The written earliest record of a
church dates from the 14th century, although no doubt there was one in existence for many
centuries before that. In 1615, the Laird of Glenorchy gave ‘ane thousand poundis
money’ for the ‘building and repairinge of the Kirk of Glenurquhay callit
Clachandysert, being altogidder rowinus and decayit.’ This building was totally
replaced in 1811.
Innishail
The Parish of Innishail was centred on the island of that name on Loch Awe and took in
land on both sides of the Loch. The ruined chapel, with its graveyard, can still be seen,
although the church was moved to Cladich in the 18th century.
The Linkage
In the 17th century the parishes of Glenorchy and Innishail were united for a time, but
then split up again presumably because the large area made it unmanageable. However,
national politics intervened and when William and Mary came to the throne the law that had
split the parish was revoked, as with all other laws passed in the previous reign, and the
union was established. After 1981 the parish was again enlarged by the addition of that
part of the Parish of Kilchrenan and Dalavich that lay on the south side of Loch Awe,
including Portsonachan and Eredine. |
