Forteviot Kirk

Forteviot Church of St Andrew has a laminated sign attached to its gate indicating a planned closure for December 2027, a decision which, its author admits ‘has not been unanimously popular’. Although dating to the 1770s, the site possess a far greater heritage. Archaeological endeavour has discovered Christian burials here dating back to the sixth century, which is remarkable. Furthermore, it hosted the ninth-century palace and church of King Kenneth Macalpin, one of those credited with helping to found the nation of Scotland. The Chronicles of the Kings of Alba claim his son Aed as the last King of Picts while his grandson Constantine II was considered first king of Alba (who met with Athelstan and others at Cumbria’s Eamont Bridge which helped demark the boundaries of the nations of Great Britain in 927).

Forteviot is a quiet little place today, and one that cannot apparently even support a church, yet its past is significant and its heritage rich. Like the nations of England and Scotland but on a smaller scale, Christian faith is shrivelled and weak, though its past is hallowed and glorious. Just as some voices refuse to add their assent to the planned closure, so there are some of us in this United Kingdom who do not consent and acquiesce to our nations’ slow descent into godlessness and oblivion.

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18

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