Kincardine, Croick and Edderton

Kincardine is the name originally given to the Parish and includes the small village of Ardgay on the southern border of Sutherland. Edderton is another small village about 10 miles east of Ardgay.

Kincardine Church Ardgay

Both villages are situated on the A836 off the main A9 road from Inverness to Wick. Croick is an isolated farming community 10 miles west of Ardgay along Strathcarron with Culrain further north from Ardgay on the Kyle of Sutherland. Kincardine and Edderton were originally separate parishes both dating from the mid 1500’s. Croick became “quoad sacra” in its own right in 1846 based in a Parliamentary church built there in 1827.

The union between Kincardine and Croick took place in 1947 with Edderton being added in 1976. The population of this parish is 979 in total including children. The membership is 34 with 36 adherents, 7 elders and 3 congregational Board members.

Kincardine and Edderton Churches, Ardgay

Edderton Stone

The building currently used in Ardgay was originally built by the United Free Church in 1909 and after the UF re-joined the Church of Scotland in 1929 there were two charges until 1947, Kincardine East and Kincardine West. The West church was closed in 1955 and is now a Heritage Centre in the care of the Kyle of Sutherland Heritage Society.

There has been Christian worship in Edderton since Pictish and Viking times. There is an unusual stone with a Celtic Cross and carvings on one side and a Roman Cross on the other. This stands in the graveyard around the interesting pre-reformation church, “Edderton Old Church”, in the care of a local trust. It is open twice a month in the summer and occasional services take place there. There is a “Preaching Ark” sitting close beside it which is used for a special service each year, usually around Pentecost.

The church building used currently was built in 1842. It went through troubled times as a result of the Disruption until after the reunion with the United Free church just before WW2, becoming the place of worship of the united congregations. It was renovated in 1962 with a vestry added on the east side. The enclosure of the gallery conserves heat, improves the acoustics and provides space for rooms upstairs. The school has approximate

Edderton Church

ly 18 children up to the age of eleven when they then move on to the Academy in Tain. There is a “kids” breakfast club and after school activities for children whose parents are working. The village hall is a modern building with an electrical sound system in the main hall, plus flood lights. Various events are held including an annual Drama presentation by the village youngsters and some adults. There are from time to time visiting ‘artists’/musical evenings, as well as a gardening group which meets monthly.

Croick Church

Built in 1827 to plans provided by Thomas Telford it retains the original long Communion table round which the Communicants sit on benches. There are many visitors each year who come to see the window on which it is claimed the folk who were evicted from Glen Calvie in 1845 scratched their names while sheltering in the surrounding graveyard. For the Communion Service in August we encourage those who can to “pilgrimage” the last mile to the church.

Croick Church Pilgrimage