Church Overview

The first church on this site was built in 1579, by Sir Colin Campbell of Glenorchy, as a replacement parish church for the medieval church at Inchadney. This 16th century building was entirely rebuilt in 1760 by the 3rd Earl of Breadalbane. The cruciform church was again heavily renovated in 1870, when it was reroofed and its landmark square tower at the east end was heightened. Its chancel and and south transept were further reordered in 1923.

There are galleries at the east and west ends of the church, once kept for the exclusive use of members of the Breadalbane family and their servants when the family was in residence at nearby Taymouth Castle. The church organ is now housed in the space once known as the “Ladies’ Gallery.”

The building contains many items of interest, including beautiful windows by the Abbey Studio and artists William Wilson and Anita Pate. In the chancel is located an ancient ironbound chest, once used as the parish bank. In 1645 it was broken into by soldiers of the Earl of Montrose, who later had the money returned to the church when the crime was discovered.

The medieval font, recovered at the site of the pre-Reformation church at Inchadney, was gifted to the church in 1924 and can be seen in the sanctuary of the church, along with the Colours of the 5th (Perthshire) Volunteer Battalion of the Black Watch, placed there when the unit was disbanded in the early 20th century. There are further display cases in the south transept containing items of interest relating to the church’s long history.

The lychgate outside, not a particularly common site in Scottish kirkyards, was erected in 1901 in commemoration of Queen Victoria who died that year. The kirkyard itself also contains some remarkable 18th century carved stones, displaying Memento Mori symbols and the tools of the trades of those lying beneath. 

Kenmore now forms part of a combined unitary parish linking it with the churches at Fortingall, Glenlyon, Rannoch and Lawyers.

Services

Alternating Sundays at 10am (with Fortingall Parish Church). Check church’s own website for details.

Opening Arrangements

Open by arrangement

Disclaimer

The information about churches in Scotland’s Churches Scheme has been provided by the congregations or taken from the Historic Scotland list and published sources, in particular, the Buildings of Scotland volumes and the RIAS Illustrated Architectural Guides. To contact this specific church please complete the Contact this Church form above. The information is not authoritative; please contact Scotland’s Churches Trust to let us know of any errors or omissions.