© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic Environment Scotland
Plockton Open Air Church is a roofless ecclesiastical structure located in Ross-shire, in the Scottish Highlands. The site lies approximately 60 metres north-northwest of the local war memorial, occupying ground formed from Torridon Group bedrock, a Neoproterozoic sequence of sandstone and mudstone that characterises much of the northwestern Scottish landscape. This ancient geological foundation has supported human settlement and worship in the area for centuries.
The building represents a type of open-air place of worship found in Scottish rural communities, where the absence of a roof allowed congregations to gather in the open landscape whilst remaining within defined stone walls. Such structures reflect the practical and spiritual needs of dispersed highland populations, offering shelter and a consecrated space for religious observance without the expense of a fully enclosed building.
The monument is protected by Historic Environment Scotland under the reference SM8863, ensuring its preservation for future study and community appreciation. The site's position within the wider landscape of Plockton, combined with its geological setting on ancient Torridon strata, contributes to the understanding of settlement patterns and religious practice in Ross-shire's material history.
Plockton Open Air Church, 60m NNW of War Memorial is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM8863. View the official record →
Plockton Open Air Church is a roofless ecclesiastical structure located in Ross-shire, in the Scottish Highlands. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM8863.
Plockton Open Air Church, 60m NNW of War Memorial is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM8863.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Loch Achaidh na h-Inich, crannog at N end of (2.6 km), Sean-Chreag,fort 300m NNW of (2.6 km), Caisteal Maol (Castle Moyle), Kyleakin, Skye (8.1 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Plockton Open Air Church, 60m NNW of War Memorial's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Plockton Open Air Church, 60m NNW of War Memorial stands on Torridon Group, bedrock that formed in the Neoproterozoic. The rock here is sandstone and mudstone.