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  St Mary RC Church, Beauly

History of St Mary's, Eskadale

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​Few places can match the uniqueness and tranquillity of the rural Highland Church of St. Mary’s Eskadale. For a visit that is spiritually rewarding take the low road to Struy, a narrow winding road along where the River Beauly flows (South side of the River). Suddenly, on a hillock, a building appears, dazzling in its white-washed harling, set with many faceted windows: St Mary’s of Eskadale built on a scale of grandeur unknown in the Highlands of that time.
It is hard to believe that so large a Roman Catholic chapel was built as far back as 1827, only 34 years after the passing of the Catholic Relief Act. Built by The Chief of the Clan Fraser, the 14th Lord Lovat.  The traceried rose window being added to the east gable in 1881: a constant source of wonder for the congregation of Eskadale who, at the turn of the century, numbered over 800.

The graveyard

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​Many famous names lie in the Graveyard of Eskadale. One stone, however, bears a foreign name “The Chevalier" John Stuart Sobieski: reputed descendant of Prince Charles Edward (The Young Pretender).

There are also many  priests buried here, two of whom, young Father James Gordon (Beauly) and Father Angus MacKenzie (Eskadale) died from accidental poisoning. They had travelled to Dingwall  for dinner and discussions, regarding plans for a new chapel to be built in Dingwall.  The servant who prepared the meal, mistakenly gathered the roots of  aconitum (deadly monkshood) for use in a radish sauce to accompany the roast beef. 
See the headstone details closeup >>

The Lovat Family Private Burial Ground

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To the West of the church is the Private Burial Ground of the Lovat Family including the Legendary World War II hero, handsome “Shimi” 24th clan chief of the Lovat Frasers,  Simon Christopher Joseph Fraser, the 17th Lord Lovat, Commander of the troops that landed on Sword Beach on June 6 1944 – D DAY.  

Also buried in the private burial ground is Maurice Baring the famous Catholic Novelist and friend of Hilaire Belloc (received into the Catholic church at the London Oratory on February 1, 1909) who wrote in his autobiography “The Puppet Show of Memory” that his conversion was “the only action in my life which I am quite certain I have never regretted”. 

The Chapel Interior

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A Place Fit For Would Be Kings..  Believers and non-believers alike cannot but be struck by the white sculptured altar piece outlined against a blue backdrop. 

To the left of the altar is a wall-painting depicting John the Baptist baptising Christ – colourful momento left by an Irish artist who passed through the glen in the sixties leaving his work unfinished and unsigned. And to left & right are memorials to those who once loved the chapel: to its founder, the 14th Lord Lovat & to John Sobieski who sought its tranquil solace in death.

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The recently restored statue of Our Lady.
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  • Home
    • Mass times
    • Bulletin
    • Contact
    • Homilies
  • Beauly
    • Pilgrimages >
      • Orkney 2019
      • Dalmally
      • Holy Land Pilgrimage
      • Carfin May 2016
    • Teas & Coffee Rota
    • Readers' Rota
    • Eucharistic Ministers Rota
    • Parish Committees
    • Church Cleaning Rota
    • Photo Archive >
      • Music Event 2019
      • Beauly Priory
      • Easter 2018
      • Our Lady of Fatima
      • Christmas 2016
      • Deanery Pilgrimage 2016
      • Queen of May Procession
      • Spring Fair 2016
      • Spring Fair Photos#2
      • Triduum 2016
      • Retreat March 2016
      • Pluscarden 2016
      • Station Mass 2016
      • Christmas 2015
      • Rev'd Fathers Maximilian & James
      • Welcome Ceilidh
    • History
  • Marydale
    • Deanery Pilgrimage 2018
    • Marydale photos
    • Clachan Comar 2018
    • Clachan Comar Prayers 2017
    • Clachan Comar Mass Aug 2015
    • First Holy Communion June 2015
    • History
    • Deanery Pilgrimage Mass 2012
    • Interior
    • Sr Petra's Farewell
  • Eskadale
    • Valerie Hunter Gordon
    • Trust Meeting 2016
    • Holy Mass June 2015
    • June 2014 Summer BBQ
    • Archbishop Conti's Mass
    • History
    • History II
    • Gaelic Prayer
    • Station Mass 2011
  • Ullapool
    • Homilies in Ullapool
    • Photos from Ullapool
  • Gairloch & Poolewe
    • Homilies Poolewe
  • Lochinver
  • Fort Augustus
  • Sacraments
    • Baptism
    • Confirmation
    • Holy Eucharist
    • Reconciliation
    • Anointing of the Sick
    • Marriage
    • Holy Orders
  • Links
  • Catechesis Videos
  • Simple Prayer Book
  • Blessed Sacrament Prayer
  • Our Lady of the Rosary
  • Novena Prayer to the Sacred Heart
  • Litany of Saint Joseph
  • Latin Prayers
  • Divine Mercy Prayer Group
  • Divine Mercy Novena