CLACHAN CHURCH RESORATION
Applecross has a rich built heritage, but Clachan Church is considered by many as the iconic building of the area The present church was built in 1817 on the site of an earlier parish church, and belongs to the Applecross Trust. Much of the significance of the church relates to its position within the Scheduled Area of Applecross’ monastic settlement which is classified as being of national or international significance.
The church is in a fragile condition and requires considerable work to ensure the building is wind- and weather-tight and to prevent further damage. The purpose of this project is to restore the essential church fabric and interior in keeping with its heritage, to improve access to the church and foster appreciation of its significance through suitable interpretation, and to develop sufficient facilities so that it can be used to its full potential by the community
THE BROCH
In 2005, the Channel 4 “Time Team” television show visited Applecross and carried out an investigation on a structure thought to be an Iron Age Broch (a thick-walled, dry stone tower of circular ground plan). As a result of local interest in the site, the Applecross Archaeological Society was formed and, from 2006-2009, a community archaeology project was undertaken to excavate the broch. Annual digs (manned by professionals, members of the
North of Scotland Archaeological Society and a team of local community volunteers) have taken place each year (with two excavations in 2007), with the final quadrant excavated in September 2009. Details of the monument record for the broch, a summary of excavations and associated reports are available from the
Historic Environment Record.
LIME KILN
This project involves the restoration of a historically important lime kiln near Keppoch House. The limekiln is part of a small industrial complex consisting of the kiln, a store or cart shed, access road and quarry, all located to the east and south of a small stream. Built in the 1870s, it was last used in the 1930s for the production of quick lime. The limekiln forms part of the agricultural history of the area. The geology which underpinned the establishment of the kiln would also form part of the interpretation about the site.
LONBAIN THATCHED HOUSE
This project makes provision for interpretation at Lonbain township. Lonbain is an old crofting settlement located approx. 7 miles north of Applecross Bay. It was a linear settlement for which old estate maps can provide much information about changes in rural settlement patterns over time. Before the road was completed in the 1960s Lonbain was an isolated area. Lonbain Thatched Cottage is the sole remaining thatched cottage in the township and has recently been purchased by National Trust for Scotland, who have commissioned a Conservation Plan for the cottage as part of their plans to conserve and consolidate the site.
HEBRIDEAN BARNS
The Hebridean Barns (located next to the Broch and campsite) are a unique resource. Hebridean ventilated barns of this type are to be found only in the Wester Ross parishes of Applecross, Gairloch and Loch Broom and are becoming increasingly rare. Historic Scotland have indicated that the sites may be of national significance.
WALLED GARDEN
The historic walled garden is being restored from what was previously a wilderness. Work is ongoing to repair the walls and there is a project planning to restore the glasshouses and coldframes.
For more information on the above restorations and other projects visit
Applecross Landscape Partnership (ALPS).
