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MHG1912 - Latheron Old Church

Summary

C18 church built on the site of a C13 church. It is now used as a museum.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

Church (NAT) OS 6" map, (1959)

An 18th century parish church, and a fragment of its predecessor, apparently occupying the site of a 13th century church. Latheron was one of the churches reserved to the bishop in a charter of 1223 x 45, and in 1515 the vicar of Latheron is on record but intermediate references appear to be lacking. A new church was built about 1734, part of its predecessor being retained in the rear to serve as a burial place of the Sinclairs of Dunbeath. Known as 'The Aisle', this fragment presents no features of architectural interest, although a 17th century monument with an effaced Latin inscription is built into the wall. No stones of interest are visible in the churchyard. A belfry was added to the church in 1822 in which the bell from the 17th century bell tower (ND23SW 5) was installed.
Orig Paroch Scot 1855; RCAHMS 1911, visited 1910; Name Book 1871; G Hay 1957.

(ND 2022 3329) The Aisle (NR)
OS 6" map, Caithness, 2nd ed., (1907)

REFERENCE - Scottish Record Office
New aisle and gallery in Latheron Church. Estimate of wright and masonwork (copy). 1815 GD 136/706/2

Proposed new aisle in the church at Latheron. An arch in the North wall is to be examined and measured in order to decide if an aisle and gallery may be added. 1815 GD 136/706/1

Repair of the Parish Church. Letter from Sir William Dunbar of Hempriggs. He complains that the Heritors have demanded £24 (Scots) from him. 1765 GD 214/722/1/1

A burial aisle as described, about 4 m square, attached to the S side of Latheron Old Church.
Visited by OS (R L) 6 March 1968.

The church and burial ground were listed at Category B in 1971.

Tne old church and the aisle were scheduled in 1973.

Built into S wall of 'The Aisle' is a piece of worked sandstone resembling a window head. (Latheron Church, Burial Aisle, and Graveyard are all listed - Category B.) <1>

The scheduling was amended in 2011 to exclude the upstanding elements of the 18th-century church. <2>

The scheduled area was specifically removed from the listing in August 2015 as part of a project looking at dual designations of sites in the Highlands. <3>

See also:
ND23SW0046 (MHG31350) Graveyard

Sources/Archives (9)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred ND 2022 3331 (24m by 20m) (Buffered by site type)
Map sheet	ND23SW
Civil Parish	LATHERON
Geographical Area	CAITHNESS

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Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

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External Links (3)