Picture of Saint Fillan's Crozier.

The Early Church
in Northern Scotland

(A Cushnie Enterprises Presentation)

Fàilte oirbh gu saoghal na Seann Eaglaise ann an Ceann a Tuath.

(Welcome to the world of the ancient Church in the North of Scotland.)

Pictish animal Photograph ofthe church at Kilmuir Easter

Above: The Church of Kilmuir Easter, Ross-shire.
© Electric Scotland.

The Early Church in the North of Scotland (ECNS) is a new and exciting Cushnie Enterprises Presentation which seeks to introduce the reader to the fascinating history of the Early Church in this part of the country - from the beginnings of Christianity, through the era of the First Reformation of St Margaret, and ending with the Second Reformation of c.1560.

What we present is of importance to genealogists, students of early church history, archaeologists, priests, teachers, patriots, and all those who share an interest in the sometimes mysterious history of Christianity in these ancient lands. Life in medieval Scotland can not be understood without a knowledge of the Early Church.

ECNS also introduces the reader to some of the Early Saints who brought Christianity to the Pictish tribespeople and places these communities alongside details and images of their churches. You will find articles which relate to such things as the Pictish King List, the Abbots of Iona, the Book of Deer, and other subjects of a more general nature which reflect the ecclesiastical history of the period. You will even find essays about our 'cousins' - the Early Church in Norway!

SITE NEWS

11/08/2021 - Added GIS Map of the Churches and Chapels of Badenoch & Upper-Strathspey.
20/08/2021 - Added an article describing the Auchteen Part Lands of Elgin.
26/08/2021 - Added pages on the Church of Lhanbryde.
31/08/2021 - Added pages on the Church of Ogstoun.
08/09/2021 - Added pages on the Church of Moy.
12/09/2021 - Completed pages on the extent of the Episcopal Barony of Rafford.
19/09/2021 - Added pages on the Church of Rafford.
07/10/2021 - Added pages on the Church of Rothes.

If you turn to our most recent work about the Church in the medieval dioceses of Moray, Ross, Caithness, Aberdeen and Orkney,you will be taken into the world of the earliest Christian communities: the mechanics of diocesan organization; the lands associated with the parish churches and their associated chapels; and the unparalleled beauty of the Liturgy that echoed through the sacred spaces created in these early days. In particular, we have established a photographic database of the Medieval churches in Moray and are working on similar entries for the other northern dioceses. Moray has a wealth of architectural 'jewels', such as Barevan, Birnie, Altyre and Duffus, and we hope that you will enjoy finding out about them and viewing the images.

This is not a specifically Christian site (i.e. a site specifically for practising Christians) ... it is a site for those who are interested in this facet of Scotland's ancient history, those who are proud of this country's heritage, and those who have a leaning towards understanding the reality of life at the dawn of the historical period. Our authors are all passionate about the subject and have many years of academic research behind them. Their backgrounds are varied, ranging from ordained priests who have exercised some of the highest functions of the Church, to one who would be most comfortably described as an "agnostic Moslem"! We are not necessarily passionate about the Faith - but we are passionate about the history of the Faith here in "the north"!

(Press to select the era you wish to explore.)

We encourage the use of material from our pages for non-profit purposes, but we would ask that you attach a link back to this site, along with an acknowledgment of authorship, with any materials that you use.

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