The congregations of the Diocese
Welcome to the website of the Diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness, one of the seven dioceses of the Scottish Episcopal Church and part of the world-wide Anglican Communion. We follow in the footsteps of St Columba of Iona who was among the first to bring the Gospel to our part of the world.
The Diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness covers over a quarter of the land mass of Scotland and at roughly 8700 square miles it is the largest Diocese in Great Britain. Yet to simply see Moray, Ross and Caithness as “the largest” diocese is to miss so much of its diversity, challenge and excitement.
Entering the Diocese is like listening to the Winter roads forecast, from Aberdeen you cross the border at the Glens of Foudland , the Cabrach, and the stunning Cock Bridge to Tomintoul Road.
From Perthshire the boundary is breached at the summit of Drumochter Pass. From Lochaber the boundary is on the loch side road below Creag Meagaidh or at the Historic Bridge of Oich while the Western approach is above the dark pass at Glensheil.
Once you are in the Diocese you are in a land of ever changing scenery and ever changing communities.
The town of Huntly and the village Aberchirder sit alongside the valley of the River Deveron surrounded by the rolling farmland of Aberdeenshire, the road then leads us to Keith and the beginning of the Malt Whisky trail, from Keith we can either climb higher into the Conval Hills to visit Dufftown or drop down to the River Spey at Fochabers.
From here opens up the coastline of Moray, the Cairngorm National Park and the Vibrant City of Inverness and the roads leading through Ross-Shire to Sutherland and Caithness. To the West the road from the iconic view of Eilean Donan castle passes through Torridon and Applecross, Inverewe and Assynt until you reach the high cliffs of Cape Wrath.
Here in this Diocese you are surrounded by the Saints, Columba passed below Glenurquhart as he travelled to Inverness, St Maelrubha founded his monastery at Applecross and travelled the glens to bring the light of faith to the western Sea Board.
In Tain St Duthuc brought pilgrims from across Scotland to pray at his shrine, Gilbert founded the Diocese of Caithness while St Boniface established a cell at Rosemarkie, creating the Diocese of Ross and the beautiful Cathedral at Fortrose.
You will find signs and symbols pointing to the work of Kessog, Finnbarr, Marnan and Geradine and today you will find their work continuing in small and faithful congregations scattered throughout the Diocese.
The History of the Scotland is also entwined in the Diocese from the beautiful ruins of Elgin Cathedral the “Lantern of the North” to the windswept moor at Culloden, from the anguish of Badbea to the power of Fort George but this is a vibrant and forward looking church in a vibrant and exciting community.
We may wish to remember our history but we also seek to serve God now and to make the story of Christianity relevant in our present age.
Please browse this website and learn something of who we are, for the Diocese isn’t simply and area, or a group of buildings, it is the people of faith who give it life, the people you will meet Sunday by Sunday welcoming you to the church and who you will see enjoying faith in the pages before you.
Beannachadh Dhe uile-chumhachdaich, an t-Athair, am Mac agus an Spiorad Naomh a bhith nar measg agus a’ fantainn maille ruibh daonnan. Amen
(the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.)
