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 took 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. In early 2026, we were successful in acquiring the building as a community,
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. To support our work, please visit our Just Giving page.
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
Linda Cameron
Chair
Eleanor Wagstaff
Secretary
Rhona Lindsay
Treasurer
John Cameron
John Noddings
Andrew Todd
Gill Morley
Jenny Earl
There are lots of ways to support the project. You can become a member, make a donation, attend our events, volunteer your time or help us spread the word about St Ernan’s.
You can also donate directly through our JustGiving page.
Yes! Becoming a member is a great way to support St Ernan’s and be part of its future.
We have made it easy to join online through our new membership form.
St Ernan’s is now community-owned and managed by St Ernan’s by the Loch, a registered Scottish charity.
A board of trustees oversees the organisation and is working with volunteers, professional advisers and the wider community to protect the building and develop its future.
St Ernan’s can already accommodate some activities and special occasions, although the facilities available will develop as the restoration progresses.
If you are interested in using St Ernan’s for a wedding, funeral, community activity or other event, please contact us to discuss your plans.
Yes. Although we hope to broaden the ways in which St Ernan’s is used, retaining its peaceful and spiritual character is an important part of our vision.
We want it to be welcoming to people of all ages, faiths and backgrounds and to provide space for cultural, spiritual and social activities, including opportunities for quiet reflection.
Yes. Our community survey showed overwhelming support for St Ernan’s to be used for weddings and funerals, and these will form an important part of its future.
Its peaceful lochside location provides a very special setting for significant occasions, while helping the building retain an important role in community life.
St Ernan’s has been part of the local community since 1899, and community ownership provides an opportunity to protect this historic building while giving it a sustainable future. The aim is to preserve its heritage and special character while developing it as a welcoming space that can be used and enjoyed by the community for generations to come.
Since St Ernan’s came into community ownership, we have begun making practical improvements to the building and grounds. This has included installing a new toilet and renovating the wall and fence around the property.
Alongside this, work is progressing behind the scenes on the next phase of the restoration. We are working with an architect to develop plans for the building and pursuing funding to make St Ernan’s wind and watertight and support the wider improvements needed for its future use.
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
St Ernan’s Church was acquired from the Church of Scotland and brought into community ownership in 2025, with support from the Scottish Land Fund.
