Graveyeard inspires heritage trail plan
A ROSS-shire regeneration project rescued from the brink of disaster to become an award-winning attraction could inspire a quirky heritage trail tapping a widely neglected "treasure trove" found right across the county.
The Kirkmichael Trust, which is behind the restoration of an ancient graveyard and church building on the Black Isle, was credited with "working wonders" after being recognised with a Scottish Heritage Angel Award for its research, recording and interpretation work.
With the project now attracting passengers from Invergordon’s record-breaking cruise liner trade, the prospect of a graveyard heritage trail around the Cromarty Firth has been flagged.
The award recognised the Trust’s decades-long campaign to rescue the unique collection of ornately carved mediaeval stones from erosion and neglect in Kirkmichael and Cullicudden graveyards on the Black Isle and for their preservation and interpretation for the community inside the lovingly restored kirk.
Dr Jim Mackay of the Kirkmichael Trust, said: "Aberdeenshire has a graveyard heritage trail. We should have something similar around the Firth. You see people driving past Kirkmichael slowing down to take a look because it looks interesting. People are drawn in and genuinely interested by what they see.
"I’m not really all that comfortable with heritage being competitive but this does mean the community, which has been supporting this for close on 20 years, can be recognised. Five years ago we were at the point of giving up when the roof literally fell in. We had a meeting with the community and they urged us to push on."
The Federation of Small Businesses’ Highlands and Islands development manager, David Richardson, hailed the Trust for "working wonders" on the kirk, graveyards and mediaeval stones.
"Visiting old graveyards is not just of interest to locals and those with ancestors buried in them; it is also very popular with many visitors interested in soaking up more of the local atmosphere and history and in reading the stories written on the older the stones.
"Including interpretive panels that explain more of the history and expand on these stories makes the whole experience even more powerful.
"Dr Mackay’s suggestion that a Highland graveyard heritage trail should be created is excellent; surely an idea whose time has come? It’s certainly well worth further exploration and discussion."
Kate Forbes MSP, whose constituency takes in the Black Isle, said: "I love what the Kirkmichael Trust has done to repair the graveyard and draw in locals and visitors. As somebody who loves history, I think it’s brilliant they have brought the past to life in such a way that tourists choose to come.
"We have a rich heritage on the Black Isle, that is slowly being forgotten. From the church services at the natural amphitheatre at Ferintosh Burn to Hugh Miller’s hometown of Cromarty, there are stories galore. Now Kirkmichael Trust has put this on the map."
A spokeswoman for the Port of Cromarty Firth in Invergordon, said: "We’re delighted the work of Kirkmichael’s volunteers has been recognised with an Angel Award. It’s a project the Port supported through our community sponsorship fund and we know the local community put a lot of effort into revitalising the site.
