Church Overview

St Margaret’s Church was built between 1899 and 1907 for the Scottish Episcopal Church to cater for the many English visitors to Braemar and Deeside. It is of outstanding significance within the UK for its architecture and as a major work by the prominent Aberdeen-born architect Sir John Ninian Comper.

The plan for St Margaret’s was cruciform, though the north transept was never built. The church is of local granite in a wide range of hues, reputed to have been gathered from the surrounding moorland. Roof slates salvaged from Old Mar Lodge were used to give the building an appearance of antiquity and to complement Comper’s historicist architectural style. Exceptionally fine interior dominated by the ornate rood screen, dedicated to the memory of the church’s principal benefactor: Eliza Schofield. Outstanding stained glass, all by Comper, spanning two decades.

Disused from 1997, the church was transferred to the ownership of Historic Churches Scotland in 2013. Historic Churches Scotland, in partnership with a community-led trust, is developing an ambitious £1.3 million project to repair and adapt the ‘at risk’ building as a creative hub and performance space. St Margaret’s currently hosts a range of public events and activities including concerts, exhibitions and performances.

Services

Occasional services and other events. For further information, please telephone Historic Churches Scotland on 0131 563 5135.

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.