Insh Church


(Insh Parish Church)

A small church which lies on the summit of a wooded hillock overlooking the northern end of Loch Insh, a quarter-mile (0.5 km) southeast of Kincraig. The hillock is known as Adamnan's Mound (or Tom Eunan). The church was dedicated to St. Adamnan (c.625 - 704) and this has been the site of Christian worship since his time. The church comprises a white-harled rectangular building, with granite ashlar dressings, constructed in 1792. There is a bellcote at the southwestern end, with a ball finial. It was extended in 1828, possibly by Thomas Telford (1757 - 1834) who certain built the manse. It was altered once again in the later 19th C. and in 1912, when the galleries were removed, and finally in 1963 by W. Schomberg Scott (1910-98). At that time an engraved-glass window was inserted by Helen Turner (1901-77) depicting St. John's Cross, one of the High Crosses of Iona. Insh Church is now B listed.

The interior is white-plastered with a pine-boarded ceiling. Within the building is an ancient cast-bronze bell which folklore suggests may date from the time of Adamnan and a stone basin which may have been the font from the earliest church. The bell was believed to have healing or magical powers. It is said that when it was taken to Perth it broke free and flew home!

The parish is an ancient one, re-established in 1828 and later united with Kingussie. After the Disruption of 1843 some members of the congregation left to form a Free Church congregation in Insh Village Church, 2½ miles (4 km) to the south southwest.


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