About

About St Ernan’s by the Loch

St Ernan’s by the Loch is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), SC051441, regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).

The Church of Scotland has taken the decision to dispose of St Ernan’s Church near Fionnphort on the Isle of Mull. Concerned that this locally important building could be lost to the community, a group of local residents set up St Ernan’s by the Loch with the aim of keeping the building in community ownership.

The building at St Ernan’s is held in high regard locally. Not only has it been a place of worship for over 130 years, but it was built by local crofters and fishermen who gave their labour voluntarily, on land gifted to the community by the Duke of Argyll. Many members of the community have long-standing family or personal connections with it.

Our vision is to develop the building with respect to its age, history and heritage, and the beauty and tranquillity of its setting. We want it to become a modern, safe and attractive place, welcoming people of all ages, faiths and backgrounds, and available for a wide range of cultural, spiritual and social activities.

Become a member

Stay up to date with the project as it develops and have your say on the big decisions!

Membership of St Ernan’s by the Loch is free and is open to all permanent residents in these postcodes:
PA76, PA66, PA67, PA69 and PA70

By becoming a member you will show your support for the project and receive regular e-newsletters.

Who we are

St Ernan’s by the Loch Board of Trustees (images coming soon)

Linda Cameron

Chair

Eleanor Wagstaff

Secretary

Rhona Lindsay

Treasurer

John Cameron

John Noddings

John Wagstaff

Andrew Todd

Between us, we bring to the St Ernan’s project a good understanding of the local community and its needs, an interest in how it works and a commitment to its future development and well-being.

Governing Document

Frequently asked questions

Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding St Ernan’s by the Loch.

When was St Ernan’s built?mcbeaner322023-07-06T10:10:32+01:00

When was St Ernan’s built?

The Church was first opened in 1899. It was built from the local red granite and much of the work was carried out by local volunteers. The building sits on the shores of Loch Pottie, a freshwater loch which was reputedly used by the monks of Iona for fishing

When will the building be acquired by St Ernan’s by the Loch?mcbeaner322023-07-06T10:11:12+01:00

When will the building be acquired by St Ernan’s by the Loch?

As yet we do not have a timetable for the acquisition but we are working with a professional architect on a Business Plan and, at the same time, speaking with the Church of Scotland regarding the sale.

How will St Ernan’s be used in the future?mcbeaner322023-07-06T10:12:06+01:00

How will St Ernan’s be used in the future?

We recently conducted a survey of the local community and there was overwhelming support for St Ernan’s to be used as a venue for weddings and funerals. Other popular activities included community support groups, a community meeting space and Gaelic language classes. The results of this survey are helping to shape our plans for the future of the building.

How are you planning to alter the building?mcbeaner322023-07-06T10:12:48+01:00

How are you planning to alter the building?

We are working with a professional architect on some designs and as soon as they are ready, we will share them with the local community. Our aim is to sensitively modernize the building without losing any of its heritage and ambience.