Situated just across the bay from the world famous Skara Brae neolithic site, this church is beautiful in its pared back simplicity, and every bit as worthwhile visiting as its reknowned neighbour.

 

 

 

The present church was built in 1836-7, after several years of persuasion from the Minister, the Reverend Charles Clouston, that the existing church was “ruinous and incapable of accommodating the population of the Parish.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On completion there was seating for 544 people, half the adult population of the parish, whose evening and winter services would be lit by the five oil lamps hanging below the gallery and the two lamps lighting the minister in the pulpit.

 

 

 

 

 

 When the Church of Scotland and the United Free Church joined back together in 1935 the parish found itself with two churches, and alternated between St Peter’s and the former United Free Church at Quoyloo, two miles distant. Being more convenient and with better facilities Quoyloo became the preferred church. 

 

 

Before coming under the care of the SRCT, St Peters was last used for a funeral in 1984. The SRCT website has all the details of the work undertaken by the organsation since acquiring the church in 1998 from the Church of Scotland General Trustees for £1 - not least raising the £250,000 necessary to repair and conserve the church.

 

 

 

 

 

The kirk is now opened daily thanks to the generous, and voluntary, support of the Friends of St Peter’s Kirk. It is also available for weddings, to find out more about using the church contact the SRCT at contact@srct.org.uk

 

 

P.S. What a strange coincidence - I've just seen on the SRCT website that Northlink Ferries agree with me! Take a look . . .