We are a group of Scottish Episcopalian congregations who meet regularly for prayer, worship and fellowship in South East Sutherland and North East Ross-shire.  We are part of the Diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness which is largely rural and mainly highland and quite distinct from the more urban parts of Scotland.

If you come from the Church of England, the Church of Ireland, or the Church in Wales, the way we do things in the Scottish Episcopal Church will seem familiar. We are also part of The Porvoo Communion, and therefore in full communion with the Lutheran churches in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Estonia and Lithuania.

In East Sutherland and Tain we have a variety of gatherings, some in traditional church buildings and others in community centres, private homes and even an inn.

There are three regular Sunday Congregations, two of which also have a regular midweek service:

St Andrew’s, Tain

A long established congregation which meets in it own church building on Sundays at 11am and in the hall on Wednesdays at 6pm.  St Andrew’s hall is also used by a few groups in the local community.  Members of St Andrew’s congregation are also involved in the Easter Ross Inter-Church Group and the Tain Christian Outreach Group.

St Finnbarr’s, Dornoch

Another long established congregation which meets in it own church building on Sundays at 11am and on Wednesdays at 10:30am. St Finnbarr’s runs a highly successful Charity Shop which in addition to being a tourist attraction, distributes a large sum of money to local groups each year. Members of the St Finnbarr’s congregation are involved in a monthly ecumenical prayer group and other ecumenical activities.

St Maelrubha’s, Lairg

A well established congregation that meets fortnightly in the Lairg Church of Scotland at 8:30am on the first, third and fifth Sundays of the month.  Members are part of Lairg Christian’s Together which holds a regular Children’s Club, an annual Holiday Club and a number of other activities.

St Columba’s, Brora

After a fire in December 2016 St Columba’s has been restored internally and returned to active use after a Rededication Service on 28th September 2019. There is a service on the second and fourth Sunday of each month at 4pm.

St Mary-by-the-Cross, Tongue

A lively ecumenical congregation that meets once a month at the Fir Chlis House of Prayer in Old Kyle Road on the first Friday of each month at Noon.  Members are drawn from all the Christian denominations across the north.

Christians @ The Hub

A new venture bringing together Christians from a wide variety of backgrounds in the Kyle of Sutherland Hub (the bright red building between Ardgay and Bonar Bridge).  The worship is varied, involving prayer, praise, scripture, reflection and fellowship and occurs on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 5:30pm.

St Trolla’s @ the Crask Inn

A gathering from right across Sutherland and Easter Ross which meets to share the Eucharist and fellowship on the third Thursday of each month at noon.  The Crask Inn belongs to the Scottish Episcopal Church and is being developed as a retreat & spirituality centre, but also offering a Christian welcome to travellers looking for refreshment or somewhere to stay.  The Crask Inn has its own web site with more details of its activities.

One thing that you can be certain of is that there will be a warm welcome from any of our congregations if you are minded to come and join them at one of their services.

Blessings
James