Update: 1 July 2007

At the eastern end of the Black Isle near the village of Balblair are the remains of St Michaels Kirk or Kirkmichael, and its kirkyard. Kirkmichael sits at the junction between the minor Udale Bay shore road and the B9163.

Located at the bay, the graveyard slopes gently towards the east and covers two acres. Kirkmichael accommodated the Cullicudden parish when the two parishes combined in 1662 to form Resolis parish, the old Kirkmichael being the main parish kirk until 1767 when a new Resolis church was completed.

The western and increasingly ruinous part containing the medieval kirks nave and eastern mausoleum are largely overgrown. A bell tower and gable at the western end has also disappeared since the turn of the 20th century.

The north wall containing an arched tomb recess for a recumbent effigy, and the east gable have narrow pointed gothic windows. The central part of the "nave" re-roofed, possibly in the 19th century, was used as the family mausoleum of the Munros of Ardoch (Poyntzfield). There are other family enclosures including those of the Gordons of Ardoch, the Gordons and latterly the Shaw Mackenzies of Newhall and the Holms of Ferryton. The fine Florenc (sic) Dunbar memorial is sited to the south east of the kirk.

All these parts of the site are in desperate need of preservation. The Kirkmichael Trust was set up by locals interested in preserving the kirk and graveyard from the predations of time. The kirk however is a scheduled ancient monument and therefore "governed" by various conservation agencies. These agencies however have neither the resources nor remit to do much other than preserve the status quo. Conditions imposed by such agencies may present the largest challenge.

The trust has and obtained funding lately to prevent the collapse of the structures roof and nave south east corner and is also to pursuing creative solutions for the preservation of the kirk.

Kirkmichael Trust will, with the engagement of the local population, allow what is a fascinating but increasingly dangerous ruin to be sympathetically renovated with appropriate materials and methods. It is to be hoped it will provide a local point of reference again - and one which will become a highlight in the emerging heritage trail on the Black Isle.

Come in and explore......