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Perthshire

Tullibardine Chapel

A small cruciform church of 1446 in the fields near Auchterarder, built by the Murrays of Tullibardine, one of the most complete medieval churches in Scotland.

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Welcome

In quiet farmland a few miles from Auchterarder, among old pines and a scatter of gravestones, stands a small grey church in the shape of a cross, with a stubby tower at its west end.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

Tullibardine Chapel was founded in 1446 by Sir David Murray of Tullibardine, and it is one of the most complete medieval churches left in Scotland.

Sir David's church was a simple oblong. Around 1500 his grandson, Sir Andrew Murray, enlarged it, adding the transepts that give the cross-shaped plan and the squat bell tower. It came through the Reformation of 1560 almost unaltered, and inside, the roof is still largely medieval, its timbers carved with masons' marks and the coats of arms of the Murray family, who were buried here until 1900.

The chapel is looked after by Historic Environment Scotland and is free to visit.

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The Daily for 31 October, from Scotland with love. A ring of standing stones set among mist and autumn birch
Before you go

Free.

Looked after by Historic Environment Scotland, whose site has the opening times.

Where
Off the A823 north-west of Auchterarder, near Gleneagles.
Run by
Historic Environment Scotland.

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Did you know

A stone church building with buttressed gables stands beneath tall pine trees.
Did you know

Through the Reformation.

Tullibardine is one of the few Scottish churches that came through the Reformation of 1560 largely unaltered.

A Historic Scotland panel on the masons' marks at Tullibardine Chapel.
Did you know

Masons' marks.

The masons who built the chapel left their marks cut into its stones.

A green door sits beneath an arched stone surround on a moss-covered church wall.
Did you know

A family church.

The Murrays of Tullibardine were buried in the chapel until 1900.

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Where it is

In the fields north-west of Auchterarder, off the A823.

Close byStrathearn.
  1. A pear soufflé with a crumble topping, beside poached pear and a scoop of ice cream on a gold-rimmed plate, at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie.Restaurant Andrew Fairlie1 mile as the crow flies
  2. GleneaglesGleneaglesThe grand hotel of 1924 by Auchterarder.2 miles 3 min by road
  3. Punnets of brambles, raspberries and strawberries on a bed of straw beside the polytunnels at Broadslap Fruit Farm.Broadslap Fruit Farm6 miles as the crow flies
  4. Sourdough loaves, seeded rounds and baguettes stacked on wire racks with price cards at Damsel Bakery in Crieff.Damsel Bakery6 miles as the crow flies
  5. Innerpeffray LibraryInnerpeffray LibraryScotland's first free public lending library, near Crieff.6 miles 11 min by road
  6. Maggie Wall Witch MonumentMaggie Wall Witch MonumentA cairn and cross by the road west of Dunning.10 miles 12 min by road
Directions
A landscape view of Whitehill on its hill: the steadings, the farmhouse and its red-roofed wing in low sun across a field of young crop.AuchterarderWhitehill Farm HouseSleeps 8 · 4.0 miles
The dining room at the Glenturret Lalique Restaurant, with tables laid in white under a beamed ceiling, a golden Lalique chandelier, tartan chairs and tall windows onto the garden.RestaurantsThe Glenturret Lalique Restaurant7.0 miles
Formal terraced garden with clipped hedges, statues and autumn trees beyondAttractionsDrummond Castle Gardens7.1 miles
Gallery interior with framed artwork on white walls and ceramics on plinthsAttractionsThe Strathearn Gallery8.3 miles
The fountain in the square at Crieff under bunting.AttractionsCrieff8.6 miles
Fallen leaves cover a woodland path lined with tall beech treesAttractionsLady Mary's Walk9.0 miles
The Wild Hearth Bakery shop in Comrie, with sourdough loaves on wooden shelves behind a glass counter of pastries and cinnamon buns.CafeWild Hearth Bakery9.9 miles
Stone-built Kirkstyle Inn with crest sign and steps to the entranceRestaurantsThe Kirkstyle Inn11 miles
A grand stone mansion with multiple gables and chimneys stands behind a lawn set with wicker chairs, seen through overhanging leaves.KinbuckCromlixPlace to stay · 11 miles

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Stay nearby

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

A landscape view of Whitehill on its hill: the steadings, the farmhouse and its red-roofed wing in low sun across a field of young crop.Whitehill Farm House
  • Sleeps 8
  • In Auchterarder
  • 2 miles from Tullibardine Chapel
Free 9–13 NovA grand stone mansion with multiple gables and chimneys stands behind a lawn set with wicker chairs, seen through overhanging leaves.Cromlix
  • To stay
  • In Kinbuck
  • 9 miles from Tullibardine Chapel
Check datesThe Old Farmhouse, PerthshireThe Old Farmhouse
  • Sleeps 8
  • In Logiealmond
  • 11 miles from Tullibardine Chapel
Check datesAn aerial view of a golf green surrounded by bunkers and trees, rolling countryside stretching to the horizon.Murrayshall
  • To stay
  • In Scone
  • 17 miles from Tullibardine Chapel
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in PerthshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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