Description: The views in Fortrose are numerous - and there are many places you can stand to take in the stunning light and the brilliant blue of the firth, but arguably the best place to enjoy the perfect serenity and unrivalled light is the hill just off of Ardross Street next to one of my favourite little churches in Scotland.
It's easy to be jaded by beautiful little churches and chapels when you've lived in the UK for any lenght of time. It seems every village has some small church which is worth travelling abroad just to see - and after some time you begin to regard them simply as churches once again.
But from the moment I first saw it - I've had a soft spot in my heart for the little church of St. Andrews.
It's one of the most photographic spots in the beautiful town of Fortrose. Just a few minutes walk from the Cathedral Square where you can park for free (if you can find a space that is - there aren't many but it's surprisingly rare that I've had trouble finding one). Everything in Fortrose moves outward just a few easy strides from the Cathedral Square and the old Cathedral ruins (see my other review). If you walk around the square heading away from the High Street you will almost inevitably find yourself staring at St Andrews church, perched beautifully on a green grassy hill set above the rocky beach of Fortrose and with a truly awe inspiring view out across the Moray Firth right into the distant sprawl of Inverness. The sunrises on this hill are beyond compare - and the sunsets and sunny afternoons are hard to top. Whether in good weather or bad, when the hill is covered in daffodils in the spring of thick with snow in the winter, this is one of the most serene places in Fortrose - and it was sitting on the bench perched on the edge of this hill looking out across the silver sea that I decided this town would become my new home.
The church itself is fantastic. It seems small - though beautifully kept up and quite unique in it's style. It's been referred to as ugly in the past by architects, but I find it's slightly odd style refreshing and it seems to fit where it is so perfectly I can hardly imaging the spot with out it - and it is quite a spot.
The chruch was built in 1828 - though it seems both new and timeless. It's pristinely kept and once inside you feel a kind of welcome that not all churches offer. The church is always open during the day time - you are free to come in and visit at your leisure. If you are lucky you may run into Father Mel who looks after the church. He, too, seems hard to separate from the church and the town and will welcome you in happily and talk to you as long as you have time for about the Church, Scotland and may even give you a phrase or two in Scots Gaelic. If you're very lucky - you may even happen to catch him playing the pipes - a sound that is gloriously resplendent in the stone walls of this church.
It's beautiful in the dark light of a rainy afternoon - but if you catch it with the sun from across the sea streaming in through the stained glass it's a very awe inspiring sight.
Be sure to walk over and enjoy this part of Fortrose - it may be this moment that it truly captures your heart.
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