Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 3hYou can find out more about this Liberton Kirk on our website here 👇 www.scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/church/liber... 020 2
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 3hFor those who pop-by on a Mon to Thurs from 9am-2pm there is also the added bonus of a visit to the Kirkgate Cafe, situated next to the gothic suite of church halls just opposite the church gates, serving hot and cold drinks, light snacks and fabulous freshly baked scones. 120 2
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 3hIt is also surrounded by a historic kirkyard, filled with some truly remarkable 18th century carved memorials, along with several benches for visitors to stop and rest a while. 120 2
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 3hIts peaceful interior is a delight, filled with items that tell the story of a congregation that has loved and cherished their building for generations and offer an insight into individuals connected to the building and parish. 110 1
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 3hLet's return to our #ScottishChurchOfTheWeek, Liberton Kirk in Edinburgh, for a late evening #SteepleSaturday virtual visit. This beautiful Georgian kirk was designed by James Gillespie Graham, on the site of a much earlier Christian church, utilising the remains of its demolished predecessor. 1142 14
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 11hDay 17 of #31DaysOfGraves - Music The gravestone of Olympian Tom Ranken (winner of three silver medals at the 1908 Olympics) in the Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh If you look closely, around his faithful friend, forever guarding his master's resting place, is carved notation of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy". 0347 34
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 16/10/2026Day 16 of #31DaysOfGraves - Faith Symbols relating to Christian faith can be seen in many of Scotland's historic gravestones, such as in this 18thC example in Inchture Kirkyard, Perth & Kinross Here we can see a winged soul ascending heavenwards leaving behind the corrupting mortal remains below. 0285 28
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 16/10/2026It's #FontsOnFriday time again, so here's the rather lovely carved oak example in our #ScottishChurchOfTheWeek, Liberton Kirk in Edinburgh It was presented in 1930 by the children of the congregation and houses a much older pewter font bowl that may have come from the Georgian kirk's earlier pulpit 0131 13
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 15/10/2026Day 15 of #31DaysOfGraves - Language "Better a wee bush than nae beild" - Scots proverb on gravestone of Robert Burns Begg, grandnephew of Scotland's national bard, in the Kirkgate Graveyard, by Loch Leven. It was the poet's motto and it means better to have a some shelter than no shelter at all. 0268 26
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 15/10/2026It's #AdoorableThursday, so let's head back to our #ScottishChurchOfTheWeek, Liberton Kirk in Edinburgh. Its fabulous doors are all painted bright red, a much beloved feature of this Georgian church. Local rumour asserts that this colour was once chosen due to access to surplus GPO postbox paint!🖌️📮 1193 19
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 14/10/2026Day 14 of #31DaysOfGraves - Brick Some grey bricks have been used in the reconstruction and repair of this Regency era memorial to members of the Baird family in Kinfauns Kirkyard in Perth & Kinross. 0220 22
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 14/10/2026It does indeed, one of many favourites in Edinburgh, such a shame the effigy of the farmer and his dog beneath have booth been decapitated! 110 1
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 14/10/2026You can find out more about Liberton Kirk on our website here 👇 www.scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/church/liber... 121 2
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 14/10/2026This organ was sadly damaged beyond economic repair by the central heating in the 1970s and an electric instrument was installed to replace it, its amplifiers cleverly hidden in the overhead cabinets where once the pipes were located. The pulpit itself is held aloft by two beautifully carved angels 141 4
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 14/10/2026Let's take a virtual wander inside Liberton Kirk, our #ScottishChurchOfTheWeek and have a look at its pulpit for this week's #Woodensday. The cabinet above the oak pulpit may look like an overly ornate sounding board or canopy, but it once housed the pipes for an expensive Ingram & Co organ. 174 7
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 13/10/2026In addition to the most detailed carved skulls and crossed long bones, reminding onlookers of their fragile mortality, two lines in Latin have been added from the Roman poet Marcus Annaeus Lucanus: "The gods hide from men, so that they may endure to live, how sweet it is to die." #MementoMori 020 2
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 13/10/2026Let's return to our #ScottishChurchOfTheWeek, Liberton Kirk in Edinburgh, for #TombTuesday. This fine memorial to Sir John Baird, Lord Newbyth (1620-98), is located in the vestry, in what is said to be a converted family burial vault. The Baird family's heraldic boar has been included at the top. 183 8
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 13/10/2026Day 13 of #31DaysOfGraves - Unusual It is not every day that you find the grave of someone who was reputed have lived to 180! This is the burial place at Kilearnadil Cemetery on the isle of Jura of Gillouir MacCrain who died around 1645 and was said to "have kept 180 Christmases in his own house". 3365 36
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 13/10/2026Our thanks to these incredible volunteers for recording another of Scotland's still growing collection of closing churches and to the congregation of Old Kilpatrick Church who arranged access. (Images: Dr Peter Christie) 040 4
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 13/10/2026The Inverclyde Church Recorders were back in action again yesterday, this time visiting the historic Old Kilpatrick Church in West Dunbartonshire, to document the building that was recently listed for sale by the Church of Scotland. (Images: Dr Peter Christie) 172 7
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 13/10/2026If you live in or near Torphichen or you simply have an interest in the village's historic kirk, its congregation are hosting a public meeting to discuss the future of Torphichen Kirk on Sunday 25th October at 2.30pm 👇 053 5
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 12/10/2026Day 12 of #31DaysOfGraves - Ordinary In heraldry, an "ordinary" is the technical name given to shapes that divide up a shield. These can be cross-shaped, chevrons, straight lines or, as in this case, saltires. This fabulous example is in the 'Poltalloch Enclosure' in Kilmartin Kirkyard, in Argyll. 2449 44
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 12/10/2026The present building was erected between 1815-16, to the designs of celebrated Scottish architect James Gillespie Graham, only opening however, in 1817 when seats had been numbered and allocated. Discover more on the SCT website 👇 www.scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/church/liber... 🧵2/2 030 3
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 12/10/2026Sitting in a commanding position, overlooking the city of Edinburgh, is our #ScottishChurchOfTheWeek, Liberton Kirk. A church is thought to have been built here in 1143 by King David I. But archaeological and documentary evidence suggests a church was founded here at least a century before. 🧵1/2 162 6
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 11/10/2026Day 11 of #31DaysOfGraves - Humorous It's almost impossibly not to picture Shaun the Sheep and his flock rampaging through this historic graveyard, fully armed and clad in armour, if visitors fail to heed the warning sign on the gate outside the ruined Kildalton Chapel on the Island of Islay. 36916 69
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 10/10/2026Day 10 of #31DaysOfGraves - Missing Wind and weather have erased all but the funereal drapery on this 19th century gravestone in Errol in Perth & Kinross. 05311 53
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 09/10/2026Day 9 of #31DaysOfGraves - Lettering If you are ever having trouble reading an historic gravestone you will be absolutely amazed what a night-time visit and a torch held at a raked angle will reveal! 🪦🔦 This beautiful example is in Stenton Kirkyard in East Lothian. 26211 62
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 09/10/2026Some of our wonderful volunteers about to begin documenting the remarkable Brechin Cathedral on the first day of a two day visit by the @churchheritage.bsky.social 0122 12
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 08/10/2026"Glasgow archdiocese to close 24 churches in restructure" In a letter to local Roman Catholic congregations, Archbishop William Nolan has confirmed that plans are now in place to reduce the number of parishes in the Glasgow Archdiocese by half and close 24 of its churches. (Images: Flourish) 152 5
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 08/10/2026Day 8 of #31DaysOfGraves - Animal This is the lion at the foot a medieval knight's effigy located inside the early 19thC Ceres Church, Fife. The recumbent figure is in superb condition, having been discovered buried nearby. It offers a wonderful insight into the lost medieval church on this site. 2339 33
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 07/10/2026If you live in or near Brechin, you can meet members of the ReACH team there this weekend as the Brechin Cathedral Trust kindly welcome us along to begin recording Brechin Cathedral on Friday and for an Heritage Open Day on Saturday. Find out more here 👇 churchheritage.scot/2026/08/31/e... 011 1
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 07/10/2026Our immense thanks to all of these incredible hard-working volunteers who gave up their day to assist with the recording work and to the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh for arranging access and welcoming us to their beautiful church building. 141 4
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 07/10/2026This church recording was undertaken as part of the @churchheritage.bsky.social, a collaborative initiative to document the heritage and social value of ten exceptional Scottish churches, managed by ourselves and @socantscot.bsky.social, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Pilgrim Trust. 131 3
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 07/10/2026We had a wonderful time yesterday working with some amazing volunteers who joined us from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, local universities and a local church, along with a few of our own fabulous veteran church recorders, as we began to document St Margaret's Chapel in Bruntsfield, Edinburgh. 1134 13
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 07/10/2026Day 7 of #31DaysOfGraves - Home Donald Whyte was keeper of Carraig Fhada Lighthouse on Islay. He and his son Daniel were lost tragically to the sea in 1916 after Daniel fell in while bringing him provisions and Donald attempted a rescue bid. Their grave site looks out to Donald's lighthouse home. 0243 24
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 07/10/2026By 1940, the building above street level had a seating capacity of almost 1200, a large schoolroom and 18 other meeting rooms. Striking tiling, stained glass and copper and brass fittings can be seen throughout the building. Read more here 👇 www.scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/church/centr... 🧵2/2 041 4
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 07/10/2026Our #ScottishChurchOfTheWeek, Central Church in Edinburgh, has a vast and impressive interior. The balcony level was partitioned in 1936 by the firm of Maclennan and Cunningham and the interior still possesses significant high-end early-20th century artistic details. #WindowsOnWednesday 🧵1/2 1211 21
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 06/10/2026Irving's remains were returned to Edinburgh for burial in 1881 and the cross was raised above him. An account of his life, death and rediscovery was carved above the scene depicting his first funeral, carried out by his shipmates, showing HMS Terror and HMS Erebus trapped in the pack ice behind. 1122 12
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 06/10/2026Day 6 of #31DaysOfGraves - Weather This carving, on a Celtic cross in the Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh, depicts the funeral of Lt John Irving, a member of the ill-fated Franklin Expedition that disappeared while searching for the Northwest Passage in 1845. Lt Irving's body was discovered in 1879. 15110 51
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 05/10/2026For #MosaicMonday, our #ScottishChurchOfTheWeek, Central Church in Edinburgh has a striking example in the main first floor hallway. Staircases from the entrance and leading to the balconies all converge here. Read about the church on the SCT site 👇 www.scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/church/centr... 0163 16
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Following a major refurbishment in 2012 the main auditorium can now host 675 people for regular services. There is a café and space for multiple events that can be booked - for the Festival, weddings, exhibitions etc. More on our site👇 www.scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/church/centr... 🧵3/3 031 3
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 05/10/2026This delightful Beaux Arts style three storey city block and its distinctive domed circular corner tower, Central Church, Edinburgh, is our #ScottishChurchOfTheWeek. It was built for the local Methodist congregation by the respected architectural firm of Dunn & Findlay from 1899-1901. 🧵1/2 182 8
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Day 5 of #31DaysOfGraves - Vehicle A memorial stone raised in 1765 by the "Society of Coach Drivers" in the graveyard of the Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, to remember its members who would be buried therein in unmarked graves. It shows a horse-drawn coach crossing one of the city's bridges. 15213 52
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 04/10/2026Day 4 of #31DaysOfGraves - Entrance This remarkable Victorian memorial, depicting the entrance to the Egyptian Land of the Dead, behind an incredible carved sandstone palm tree, is located in the Grange Cemetery, next to Marchmont St Giles Church, Edinburgh It was carved by sculptor Robert Thomson 210513 105
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 04/10/2026"Planning probe launched over removal of Broughty Ferry church pews" The A-listed St Luke's Church in Broughty Ferry, built 1883-84 by Hippolyte Blanc, was sold last year and its new owners were granted planted permission to remove a "small number of fixed seating pews" to create an events space. 121 2
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 03/10/2026Above the couple and their serpent-wrapped tree can be seen an inverted skull held aloft in a tasselled swag, and above that an inverted hourglass, its sand now run out. These symbols of human mortality were for those who could not read the words "Memento Mori" carved in the centre of the stone... 010 1
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 03/10/2026Day 3 of #31DaysOfGraves - Glass Scotland has been endowed with a remarkable inheritance of of 18th century #MementoMori symbol laden monuments, but many are now fragile and endangered. In 2008, this early example of an Adam & Eve stone in Lyne Kirkyard was restored and placed in a glass case. 1306 30
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Day 2 of #31DaysOfGraves - Urn Scotland's kirkyards are filled with beautifully carved monumental stone urns, often draped with a shroud like this example in Cockpen & Carrington Churchyard in Midlothian. For Victorians, they represented the human body, a fragile temporary vessel for the soul. 1436 43
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 02/10/2026St David's Memorial Park Church, Kirkintilloch: www.scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/church/st-da... 110 1
Scotland's Churches Trust @scotchurchestrust.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Read about more about both of these remarkable churches on our website 👇 St Mary's Parish Church, Kirkintilloch: www.scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/church/st-ma... 110 1