EXTENSIVE RENOVATION OF HIGHLAND CHURCH
One of the most surprising features which is met by travellers in the Highlands of Scotland is the numbers of places still retaining native Catholic populations, and functioning parishes. Vast areas still retain the Faith, despite the radical .-,ature of the Reformation. the "Clearances", and the sad neglect which still causes the young people,' to I eave.
One such area is Glenfinnan in Lochaber, where the parish is struggling with the tatter factor. AN the young couples married there in recent years have had to settle elsewhere. Nevertheless, the 100 or so parishioners who are left have decided to forte ahead with the preservation worx on their picturesque Gothic chu eh situated on the "Road to the Isles" on a promontory above Loch Shiel, There at the head of the Loch is the Jacobite monument commemorating the Uprising in 1745, where Prince Charles Edward Stuart, (Bonnie Prince Charlie) met the assembled clans.
With a vote of confidence in the future, extensive renovation work is being undertaken on the old church built by the MacDonalds of Glenaladale one of the septs which refused to abjure the Faith. Apart from providing a suitable setting for worship for the growing multitudes of holiday season travellers, the parishioners are striving to preserve this magnificent Pugin Gothic architectural gem for posterity. If you have generous sentiments for the Missions, please regard this as a good "Home Mission" — a sister parish to help in time of need. Your donation will be appreciated and acknowledged by : The Parish Priest, Priest's House, Glenfinnan, Lochaber, Scotland.
Thank you for reading this appeal.