Inverallan

As a consequence of its antiquity and the fact that even 'modern' scholars seem not to have been endowed with the skill of accurate spelling, the name of the township and parish has, over time, seen a number of permutations and combinations! In the records of the local laird, the Chief of Grant, we find the following variations - Innerairin, Inuerallem, Inuerellam, Inveralyane, Inverariane, and Inverellain, - and we might be corect in supposing that others exist.

The buried walls and foundations of this church were found at the start of the winter of 1888 when the graveyard was being extended. The remains were of a building some 80ft. long and 21ft. wide and it was found to have been divided into two portions of unequal length by a cross-wall of less substantial proportions. In 1926 there was a granite boulder with a basin cut into it, which stood at the graveyard entrance. There was also a much-weathered 7th-century Pictish symbol stone, made of blue slate, which was built into the surrounding graveyard wall (but which may now have been removed). In addition, there is also a free-standing Early Christian stone, which has a latin cross incised on each face. It has been known variously as the Inverallan Cross, the Priest's Stone, and Futach's Stone, commemorating St. Fiacre (or Futach), a 7th-century Irish saint. A holy well called St Futach's Well stood west of the road along the Spey, a short distance from the graveyard.

The first written record of this church is found in 1230AD but the presence of the cross-incised stone would suggest that there has been a settlement here from much more ancient times. The name Innerallian (or Inverallan) derives from the fact that the burn which flows into the River Spey beside the old church, was anciently known as the Allan. It rises at Tobair-Alline (Tobar Alain) {NGR: NH 998309 }, and then flows through Glenbeg to the Spey. When the laird of Grant built the 'new town' of Grantown, it was this burn which supplied much of the fresh water to the community. There was a strong fort at the burn's confluence with the Spey, which was built supposedly by the then Chief of Grant.¹

"… the Church of Inveralan standeth on the west bank of the river. In the 13th-century, about the year 1230, this Church, and probably [the] lands about it, pertained to Walter de Moravia son of Freskyn de Moravia of Duffus. And anno 1236 King Alexander II excambed [exchanged] with Andrew, bishop of Moray, the three Davachs of Fynlarg (near the church of Inveralan) for the forest[s] of Cawood and Logynsythenach in Brae Moray."² Originally, Walter's gift was to be for the upkeep of the cathedral, but, in time, it became one of the mensal churches of the Bishops of Moray.³

In the excambio mentioned above, the bishop gave the king the forests of Logynsythenach which, in later times was known as Logiefythenach - this is Edinkillie, called Glenernie on older Ordnance Survey maps {NGR: NJ 019465} - and Cawood - which would appear to be Carnach {NGR: NJ 013489}. The king was looking for hunting ground or deer forest, and these two forests have ever been renowned as such. In the exchange the bishop received the three dabhaichean of Fynlarg - Finlarig {NGR: NH 994253} and Upper Finlarig {NGR: NH 992258} which are still named as such on modern maps, lying to the west of Dulnain Bridge, immediately east of Muckrach Castle. The name of the third dabhach does not seem to have survived. Muckrach castle, which lies in this area at {NGR: NH 98595 25044} , was the first possession of the Grants of Rothiemurchus, and was built c.1598.

The church of Inverallan was united with that of Advie in 1593, and also with Cromdale in 1618. The parish church was moved to the township of Grantown in 1816. A new church building was erected here by Caroline Stuart, Countess of Seafield, in memory of her husband, the 7th Earl and 26th Chief, who died 18 February 1881, and her son, the 8th Earl and 27th Chief who died 31 March 1886.⁴

On the south side of the Spey, on the farm of Congash {NGR: NJ 058262} two Sculptured Stones have been found, one [Congash 2] bearing a unique helmet-shaped object which seems to have been pierced by an arrow  {NGR: NJ 05792 26204}. In addition, a cross-incised stone has been found nearby at {NGR: NJ 0579 2621} [Congash 3]. (For further details regarding Congash see the list of chapels below.)