Arms of the Medieval Bishopric of Ross

The Parishes of Ross

It was routine in medieval times to divide a Diocese into Deaneries - in England they were usually called Rural Deaneries whereas in Scotland they were just called Deaneries which can, for the inexperienced, lead to a confusion with the Deanery of the Cathedral's Chapter. This division was created for administrative purposes, often being made necessary by the vast geographical area of a diocese and the significant number of parishes within it. These factors made it impossible for the Archdeacon to carry out his duties efficiently, particularly those of the annual visitation and, consequently, he delegated many such duties to a senior cleric in each sub-division - in England, to a Rural Dean within each Rural Deanery and in Scotland a Dean of Christianty for each Deanery. In the medieval Diocese of Ross there was no such sub-division and , therefore, no Deaneries. However, on 12 June 1530, an individual called Donald Reid is referred to as "Dean of Christianty" of Dingwall, but this is considered to have been only a temporary appointment. The administrative arrangements in Ross saw the parishes treated as a single deanery even after the diocese was expanded by the addition of of North Argyll and its associated churches (parishes) of Kintail, Lochalsh, Lochcarron, Applecross, Gairloch and Lochbroom, c.1220.

The Parishes of the Diocese of Ross
Parish	Appropriated to ...	Description
Alness	Fortrose Cathedral
Applecross	Fortrose Cathedral
Ardersier	Fortrose Cathedral
Avoch	Kinloss Abbey
Contin	Fortrose Cathedral
Cromarty	Fortrose Cathedral
Cullicudden	Fortrose Cathedral
Dingwall	Urquhard Priory
Edderton	Fortrose Cathedral
Fodderty	Fortrose Cathedral
Gairloch	Fortrose Cathedral
Kilchrist	Fortrose Cathedral
Kilearnan	Fortrose Cathedral
Kilillan	Fortrose Cathedral
Kilmorack	Fortrose Cathedral
Kilmuir Easter	Fortrose Cathedral
Kilmuir Wester	Fortrose Cathedral
Kiltearn	(independent)
Kincardine	Fortrose Cathedral
Kinnettes	Fortrose Cathedral
Kintail	Fortrose Cathedral
Kirkmichael	Fortrose Cathedral
Lemlair	Fortrose Cathedral
Lochalsh	Fortrose Cathedral
Lochbroom	Fortrose Cathedral
Lochcarron	Fortrose Cathedral
Logie Easter	Fortrose Cathedral
Logie Wester	Fortrose Cathedral
Nigg	Fortrose Cathedral
Rosemarkie	Fortrose Cathedral
Roskeen	Fortrose Cathedral
Suddy	Fortrose Cathedral
Tain	Fortrose Cathedral
Tarbat	Fearn Abbey
Urquhart	Fortrose Cathedral
Urray	Fortrose Cathedral

These pages are a 'work in progress' and, currently, there are only a few pictures to go with the descriptions of the churches. We hope the reader will be patient! We would also welcome any contributions from individuals who may have photographs that they would be willing to let us use.

{These pages use the "Viking-Normal" and "Kingthings Calligraphica" typefaces which is readily available on many 'free fonts' sites.}