Laggan, has been a focal point for Christian worship and community gatherings for centuries. The Christian roots of Laggan parish likely go back to early missionary activity in the Highlands, where traveling monks and priests spread Christianity during the Celtic and later medieval periods.
A parish church was built on the present site in 1785/6. The Minister at that time was the Rev. James Grant and the manse was the house at Gaskbeg Farm. It was however his wife, Mrs Anne Grant who is celebrated and remembered for her writings especially her "Letters from the Mountains” which describe the nature of life in the Highlands at the end of the eighteenth century.
Around 1843, it was said to be rebuilt as it is today. The high pulpit and the Precentor’s box are distinctive. They are positioned so as to elevate the minister to a level with the local Lairds who occupied the upstairs galleries. Cluny Macpherson’s family seats faced the pulpit with Glentruim on the left hand side. The pine for the interior fittings was cut from local forests and the eight pine pillars which hold up the upper galleries are reputed to be unique.
In 1884, major internal improvements were carried out; a heating system installed, more comfortable, dark stained pews, stained glass windows and a communion table and chairs.
Within the church, there is a plan of the graveyard, with details of all the graves so if you are researching your family tree we might just have some information useful to you. And we are always pleased to receive any other anecdotes, photographs or memorabilia which we can add to the archive.
There are a number of local venues providing wedding arrangements such as the Laggan Hotel and Ardverikie Estate.
1770 - The earliest reference to a (Protestant) church noted as being at Islandow (Eilan Dubh), Blaragie
1775 - Rev. James Grant became minister for Laggan and took up residence at Gaskbeg
1785/6 - the present Laggan Church was built
1901 - The church organ inaugurated at a special service. The organ, a ‘Positive’, was purchased from funds raised by public subscription. It was supplied by the Positive Organ Company, London, through their sole Scottish Agents, Messrs Larg and Co, Aberdeen.
1985 - As part of a 200 year anniversary celebration, the church was given facelift. All the black varnish was stripped from the pitch pine pillars and pews and the entrance lobby to the church was floored with tiles created by Lynda Whitty and Mick Arnold, from nearby Caoldair Pottery.
2021 – The Church of Scotland Trustees indicated that the building was scheduled for closure and at a public meeting held by Laggan Heritage, it was agreed that the community purchase should be explored. The church was at that time, given a five-year ‘stay of execution’
2024 - April - The Church of Scotland advertise Laggan Church for sale on the open market
2024 - July - Laggan Church Partnership (LCP) was formed by interested local people
2024 - October -LCP registered as a SCIO SC053716
2024 - December - LCP purchase church for the valuation price of £35,000 with generous support from Ardverikie Estate, an anonymous donor and Laggan Heritage