History of St Duthac's

The congregation

St Duthac was born in Tain around 1000 and died in Ireland around 1065.  His feast day is 8 March.

St Duthac's serves a huge area, from Glenelg to Applecross and the whole of Lochalsh and Kintail.  It is the most westerly parish in the Diocese of Aberdeen and its small congregation of about 150 continues the long and faithful catholic presence in the west.

It is served by Father William MacLean, who is part of the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles.  Mass is celebrated every Sunday at 12.45pm and at other times.

The building

The first Catholic church on this site was built in 1703.

The present building dates from 1860 and its architect was Joseph A Hansom.  He was for a time in partnership with the architect who designed the Houses of Parliament, Augustus Pugin.

The church is in a simple Gothic style with nave and chancel. The stone reredos has polished granite shafts, while similar columns support the altar. The simplicity continues with the demi-octagonal stone pulpit and braced rafter roof.

The Ordnance Gazetteer for Scotland (1882-1885) mentions St Duthac's in the chapter about Kintail.  It says that it was built in 1861 and had 170 sittings, and was erected by the late Duchess of Leeds.*

For a view of the interior, click on this link: www.ambaile.org.uk/gd/item/photograph_zoom.jsp

There was formerly a nunnery on the south-west side of the chapel but it was demolished early last century but you can see it in the foreground of this old picture.