St Conans Kirk

St Conan’s Kirk sits within a picturesque lochside setting in a secluded but easily accessed location, being on both the road and railway from Tyndrum to Oban.

The kirk is an exceptional building, built in a norman or neo-Roman style with a strong sense of peace and spirituality.

Local tradition has it that grand Lady Campbell found the drive to church in Dalmally too much for her. Accordingly, her son Walter Douglas Campbell decided to build her a church nearby. St Conan’s is the product of his and his sister’s perseverance.

Completed in 1886 the first iteration of the kirk (church) was relatively simple affair, but no sooner had the dust settled he began work on a far nobler structure. He started work on phase two in 1907, and devoted the rest of his life to its execution until he died in 1914.

Work had to be suspended during the First World War (1914-1918) but as soon as it was possible, his sister Helen carried out the plans which he had left and the project was finally completed by their Trustees in 1930.

Throughout the Kirk you will find Walter’s acknowledgement to his own family, strong ties with the local community and influences from further afield including a Celtic Cross erected in memory of his mother.