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Old gravestones in the kirkyard with the hills beyond.
Loch Lomond

Aberfoyle Old Parish Church

The old kirkyard of Aberfoyle, with its iron mortsafes and the grave of Robert Kirk, the minister taken by the fairies.

Welcome

Just south of Aberfoyle, at the Kirkton, stands the roofless old parish church, built in the 1700s on a far older holy site, with its kirkyard full of fine old gravestones.

By the door lie two heavy iron mortsafes, cast-iron cages laid over fresh graves to keep the bodysnatchers out, in the years when corpses could be sold to the medical schools.

The kirkyard's most famous grave belongs to the Reverend Robert Kirk, minister here from 1685 and a fine Gaelic scholar, who in 1691 wrote The Secret Commonwealth, an essay on the fairies, elves and second sight that Sir Walter Scott later published. On 14 May 1692 he went for an evening walk on Doon Hill behind the manse and was found collapsed at the top. He was buried here, but the story soon went round that he was not dead at all, but held captive in Fairyland. A path still leads up Doon Hill to the tree said to hold his spirit.

Close byAberfoyleThe southern gateway to the Trossachs, a Victorian resort that grew from Scott's Lady of the Lake, with its slate quarries and fairy minister.1 min by roadSee itA white cottage reflected in still water among dark trees near Aberfoyle.
Before you go

The old church is at the Kirkton, just south of Aberfoyle.

The kirkyard can be visited at any time.

Where
Kirkton, Aberfoyle, FK8 3XF.
Open
Any time.
Where it is

Kirkton, Aberfoyle.

Close byIn Aberfoyle.
  1. The Duke's Pass winding through autumn hills, the road curving away below.The Duke's PassThe winding road over the hills from Aberfoyle to Loch Achray, built by the Duke of Montrose, one of Scotland's best drives.2 miles4 min by road
  2. A loch winds through forested hills beneath a grey, cloudy skyThree Lochs DriveThis seven-mile drive along forest tracks winds through some outstanding scenery.3 miles5 min by road
  3. A wooden footbridge over a burn in the green forest.Queen Elizabeth Forest ParkThe great forest park of 1953, from Loch Lomond to the Trossachs, with its visitor centre at The Lodge above Aberfoyle.3 miles6 min by road
  4. The forest drive winding past a loch through the woods, from above.Three Lochs Forest DriveA seven-mile one-way forest road above Aberfoyle, past Lochan Reòidhte, Loch Drunkie and Loch Achray.3 miles9 min by road
  5. The tall roofless walls and arched windows of the priory church.Inchmahome PrioryThe ruined island priory on the Lake of Menteith, where the child Mary Queen of Scots was hidden in 1547.4 miles7 min by road
Directions
A white cottage reflected in still water among dark trees near Aberfoyle.AttractionsAberfoyle0.4 miles
Loch Ard still as glass, reflecting trees and hills.AttractionsLoch Ard4.1 miles
The Lake of Menteith, its wooded islands and the hills beyond.AttractionsLake of Menteith5.0 miles
Autumn woodland reflected in a calm loch, framed by bare branchesAttractionsLoch Achray5.3 miles
The steamship Sir Walter Scott at the pier on Loch Katrine.CafeSteamship Café7.0 miles
Ben Venue in low evening light above the forest and Loch Katrine.AttractionsBen Venue7.0 miles
Loch Chon among autumn woods, a white house on the far shore.AttractionsLoch Chon7.7 miles
Paintings and chairs in the bright white rooms of the gallery.AttractionsThe Green Gallery8.0 miles
The view from the summit of Ben A'an along Loch Katrine.AttractionsBen A'an8.4 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the kirkyard, and when each is next free.

A Highland calf walks across a lawn before a pink harled house, a stone wall and outbuilding visible behind.Monachyle Mhor
  • To stay
  • In Loch Lomond
  • 12 miles from the old kirk
Check datesA grand stone mansion with multiple gables and chimneys stands behind a lawn set with wicker chairs, seen through overhanging leaves.Cromlix
  • To stay
  • In Loch Lomond
  • 17 miles from the old kirk
Check datesSuie Hunting Lodge, Loch LomondSuie Hunting Lodge
  • To stay
  • In Loch Lomond
  • 17 miles from the old kirk
Check datesRed Squirrel Cabin, Argyll and ButeRed Squirrel Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Loch Lomond
  • 20 miles from the old kirk
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in Loch LomondAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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