Saltoun Parish Church
Address: Main Street, East Saltoun , EH34 5EE
Local Authority: East Lothian
Listing: A
WEBSITE
Church Overview
There has been a church on this site since at least 1244. The present kirk was built in 1805, probably by the architect Robert Burn, and incorporates fragments of the previous church. It is in the form of a cross, one arm occupied by a Gothic-style tower and another by the Lairds’ Aisle, under which is the Fletcher family vault. Outside this is a memorial plaque to Andrew Fletcher, politician, writer and noted Scottish patriot. General John Fletcher-Campbell added the spire, ‘as a monument to the virtue of his ancestors, and an example for posterity to imitate’.
Interior was substantially remodelled in 1885, possibly by John Lessells. Galleries were removed during this refit. Pulpit has a decorated canopy and there is 20th century stained glass in a three-light window. Some fine 18th century gravestones in the kirkyard outside.
Saltoun’s most famous incumbent is Gilbert Burnet, who went on to become Bishop of Salisbury. He never forgot the parish ‘which had the first fruits of my labour, and among whose people I had all possible kindness and encouragement’. He left a bequest which, among other things, provided education and clothing for thirty poor children, and for adding further volumes to the already-established library. This is one of the oldest private libraries in the country and is now in the safe-keeping of the National Library of Scotland. Burnet also donated two silver communion cups, still in use today.
Services
Sunday: 11.00am, alternating with Bolton and Yester
Opening Arrangements
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.