Fearn Abbey facts for kids
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Order | Premonstratensian |
| Established | 1238 |
| Disestablished | 1609 |
| Mother house | Whithorn Priory |
| Diocese | Diocese of Ross |
| Controlled churches | Kilchrist, Tarbat |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Fearchar, Earl of Ross |
| Important associated figures | Finlay McFaed |
Fearn Abbey, often called "The Lamp of the North," is one of Scotland's oldest church buildings. It was built long before the big changes of the Reformation. This historic church is part of the Church of Scotland. It is located southeast of Tain in Ross-shire. The old building stopped being used for regular church services in 2023. Now, services and meetings happen in the modern church hall next door. In 2024, the local church areas, called parishes, joined together. They formed a new group called Easter Ross Peninsula Church of Scotland.
Contents
The Abbey's Design and Look
The church building has a very simple design. It is shaped like a long rectangle. Inside, it is 96 feet long and 26 feet wide. The windows are tall and narrow, known as lancet windows. At the eastern end, there are four lancet windows of the same height. Similar windows appear in pairs between the buttresses, which are supports along the walls.
The eastern part of the church was separated. It became a burial place for the Ross of Balnagown family. Smaller chapels or rooms were added to the church later. These were built against the original walls.
St. Michael's Chapel
The most important addition was the south wing. This was a chapel dedicated to Saint Michael. Abbot Finlay McFead, who died in 1485, likely built it. This chapel is 32 feet long and 23 feet wide. It connects to the main church through a wide archway, 14 feet across.
On the west side of the chapel is a doorway. On the east side, there is a small recess called an ambry. On the south side, you can see a special monument for Abbot Finlay. It has his family shield and an inscription. The inscription says: "Here lies Finlay McFaed, abbot of Fearn, who died in the year 1485."
Other Additions and Features
Another small chapel was built around the 1500s. It was placed against the southeast corner of the church. This addition actually blocked two of the original windows. Another chapel was built against the north wall of the church. The cloister, which was a covered walkway, and other living areas for the monks are no longer there.
Over many centuries, the rope from the church bell wore a deep groove. You can see this mark in the stone wall below the bell tower.
A Look at Fearn Abbey's History
Medieval Times (Before 1500s)
Fearn Abbey was first started during the rule of King Alexander II. It was founded by a group of monks called Premonstratensians. They came from Whithorn Priory, another monastery. These monks, also known as "white canons," provided the first abbot.
The Abbey was first set up by Fearchar, the 1st Earl of Ross, in the 1220s. But in 1238, it was moved ten miles southeast. This happened during the time of the second abbot, Malcolm of Nigg. The move was needed because of fighting with northern clans. Also, the new location had richer soil, which was great for farming. The Abbey was protected by the earls of Ross for many years.
In 1321, a monk named Mark became the abbot. He was chosen by the head of Whithorn, not by the monks themselves. In 1338, William III, Earl of Ross ordered the Abbey to be rebuilt. This work finished in 1372, during the time of Abbot Donald Pupill.
Abbot Finlay McFaed was in charge for 44 years (1442-1485). During his time, many improvements were made. A cloister was added. The Abbey also received an organ, special containers for holy items called tabernacles, chalices (cups), and special clothes for priests called vestments. These beautiful items came from Flanders.
The Reformation Era (1500s)
In the early 1500s, a young boy named Patrick Hamilton became the head of the Abbey. This was a special arrangement called a commendatorship. Hamilton later believed in the new ideas of the Reformation. He was sadly burned as a heretic when he was only 26 years old in 1528.
In 1539, King James V asked Pope Paul III to appoint Robert Cairncross, the Bishop of Ross, as abbot of Fearn. Cairncross was a wealthy man. The King hoped he could fix the Abbey buildings, which were falling apart.
After Cairncross died in 1545, Nicholas Ross became abbot. He was also the head of the church in Tain. He likely held this position as a non-religious role. In 1560, he voted in the Parliament to end Catholicism in Scotland.
After the Reformation
In 1587, the Abbey's lands were taken back by the Crown. This happened when Walter Ross was in charge. In 1591, the Abbey was given to Patrick Gordon. Fearn was then made into a special land area called the barony of Geanies in 1598. This was for Sir Patrick Murray, given by King James VI.
Later, in 1609, it became part of the Bishop's area of Ross. This was for Bishop David Lindsay. It was confirmed by Parliament in 1617. The grants were confirmed again for Bishop John Maxwell by King Charles I in 1633.
Even after the Reformation, Fearn Abbey was still used as a local church. But in 1742, a terrible accident happened. The stone roof collapsed during a service. Nearly fifty people in the church died. A new church was built nearby. But by the 1770s, it was also in ruins. So, part of the original Abbey was rebuilt in 1772. Fearn Abbey once again became the local church for the Protestant Church of Scotland.
Fearn Abbey in Recent Times (20th and 21st Centuries)
The building you see today mostly comes from the rebuilding in 1772. But it still has parts of the medieval structure. It was repaired by Ian G. Lindsay & Partners in 1971. More restoration work was done in 2002–2003. This was overseen by Historic Scotland.
The people of Fearn Abbey help their local community. They also have strong connections to the Church of Scotland's World Mission projects. These projects are in Ekwendeni, Malawi, and at the Tabeetha School in Israel.
Important People Buried at Fearn Abbey
Many well-known people are buried at Fearn Abbey. Besides Abbot Finlay McFaed, here are some others:
- Fearchar, 1st Earl of Ross: He was the founder of the Abbey. He died in 1251.
- Sir Mark Ross: He was an Abbot of Fearn Abbey. He died around 1350.
- Thomas Ross of Culnahal: He was the head of the church in Tain and a Vicar in Alness. He had to live in Forres for many years because of problems with local lords. He died in 1591.
- General Charles Ross of Balnagown: He was famous for his military skills during the time of King William III and Queen Mary II. He died in 1732.
- Sir John Lockhart-Ross: He was the 6th Baronet and an Admiral in the Royal Navy. He died in 1790.
Find Out More
- Abbot of Fearn: For a list of all the abbots and leaders of Fearn Abbey.
- List of Church of Scotland parishes: To see other Church of Scotland churches.
