St Kilda’s Church

St Kilda’s Church in Lochbuie, Isle of Mull, is an Episcopal Church consecrated in 1876 (some sources say 1877). It was built by Murdoch MacLaine, the 23rd Laird of Lochbuie, reportedly due to a disagreement with another minister or possibly because his wife was Episcopalian. There’s a local rumour that it was originally intended to be consecrated to St. Oran but was ultimately dedicated to the elusive St. Kilda.

The church holds several interesting and unique features. Built into the south wall of its porch is an early Christian stone bearing a ring-headed cross. This cross, discovered during the church’s foundation excavation, is of the simplest and earliest form, potentially more than 800 years old, an intriguing relic as there’s no tradition of an older chapel on the site. Inside, visitors can find various memorial tablets dedicated to the MacLaine family and other local figures. The Crucifix above the Chancel was carved by Joseph Mayer, who famously played Christ in the Oberammergau Passion Play.

St Kilda’s also houses a fascinating piece of history: a stone fragment from the altar of a church in Metz, France, which was acquired by Murdoch MacLaine while he was a war correspondent during the Franco-Prussian War. Though the population of Lochbuie is very small, services are held regularly during the summer months by visiting clergy, and the church remains open for Christian worship, supported by donations. It stands as a testament to the MacLaine family’s legacy and a unique part of Mull’s ecclesiastical heritage.