St Mary and St Finnan Church Glenfinnan

St Mary and St Finnan Church, Glenfinnan, Western Highlands, Scotland

St Mary and St Finnan Church stands at the northern end of Loch Shiel near Glenfinnan in the western highlands of Scotland.

History

It is a Catholic church completed in 1872 in the Gothic style with spectacular views of one of Britain’s most beautiful lakes. Architect Edward Welby Pugin designed the church. Within the building are memorials to both Bonnie Prince Charlie (see below) and members of the MacDonald clan.

The church bell stands in a separate building. It was made at the Eagle Foundry in Dublin, Ireland.

The Catholic St Mary & St Finnan Church stands at the head of the loch

Access – Getting There

Glenfinnan, PH37 4LT

Sunday mass is at 1 pm. The church is open from roughly sunrise to sunset.

The lake and church are both 20 km west of Fort William. The A830 passes close to the Glenfinnan Viaduct (familiar to fans of Harry Potter) and the Glenfinnan Monument. The A861 also between Lochailort and Kinlochmoidart approaches the loch from the southwestern side.

If you wish to stay in the area try the recommended Glenfinnan House Hotel or The Armoury, with two bedrooms, a garden, and private parking.

Also, at the head of the loch is the Glenfinnan Monument which was built in 1815 to commemorate the spot where in 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his family standard and began the ill-fated Jacobite Uprising.