Residents in Scottish 'Outlander' village urged to save 800-year-old church

Residents in Scotland's "Outlander" village who helped to save their last pub from closure now face a new battle – to save their historic 800-year-old church.

Culross, in Fife, is one of Scotland's most picturesque villages, famed for its white-harled houses, red-tiled roofs and steep cobbled streets that double as Cranesmuir in the time travelling TV series starring Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe.

Last year, locals successfully saved the village's 600-year-old Red Lion Inn from closure after its owners retired. Outlander fans also rallied after Heughan asked them to support the community buyout appeal.

Now Culross Abbey, which dates back to 1217, also faces closure after it was listed to be disposed of by the Church of Scotland to save money amid shrinking congregations and rising costs.

Culross Abbey dates from the 13th century

Presbyteries across Scotland have been considering properties to be sold off in a bid to ensure the church is "lean and fit for mission in the 21st century".

John Laird, 83, Culross Abbey's property convener and senior elder, said open meetings would be held to discuss the building’s future and the possibility of Culross Community Council forming a charitable trust to retain the A-Listed building.

Mr Laird said: "We are very keen to see the abbey retained for any kind of community use and also for Sunday worship. We need to determine how many local people would be prepared to support the [community] council in taking over the Abbey."

He added: "It would be fantastic if Outlander fans would support the community in its bid to save the abbey. The more support and backing we receive the better. Outlander fans have already shown their tremendous support for Culross by helping to save our last pub."

A Historic Churches Working Group was set up following concerns by Fife Presbytery’s proposal to close seven A-Listed churches – Culross Abbey, St Fillan’s in Aberdour, Cupar Old, Pittenweem, Burntisland, St Monans and Crail.

Its findings acknowledged Culross Abbey's "long and deep history", but recommended against retaining it because there were too few people to shoulder its upkeep and recommended the formation of a trust to take over its running.

Their report said: "Culross sits at one end of the Fife Pilgrim Way, which presents significant opportunities around hospitality, fostering spirituality, and offering accommodation.

"However, the congregation and office-bearers are deeply conscious of the lack of people in the church to take on responsibility. And so we conclude that the determination B for disposal is right."

Mr Laird admitted the average Sunday congregation was just eight due to the abbey’s hilltop location making it difficult for many of the older villagers. But he said they regard the abbey as a "sacred and special place", valued by many in the wider community.

The church is directly adjacent to the ruins of a Cistercian monastery now managed by Historic Environment Scotland, while the abbey itself holds the vault of Sir George Bruce, an early industrialist who developed a system of coal mining in the village.

The Church of Scotland said Fife Presbytery had approved the working group’s report, which included setting up an Historic Churches Support Group to help places like Culross Abbey set up a local trust to look after their buildings.

A Church of Scotland spokesman said: "We recognise that church buildings have meaning and value to their local communities and that some of these decisions we are taking will be difficult.

"However, the mission plans will consider what is best for the whole of the Presbytery area and how the Church can best serve the people in local communities now and provide a solid base for growth in the future."