A Message from Brian October 2025

Dear friends,

Years ago, I knew an old man who lived in a remote cottage in the country. He lived alone and had been a hard worker all his days, in the Army and then in agricultural engineering. He loved being busy, however, when I first met him he was too old to do any work and found life dull and lonely.

Then a young couple moved into a cottage near to him. One day the young man was taking his dog out for a walk and stopped to say hello and said he was really pleased to be where he had moved into because there was a shed beside their cottage.

My friend asked him what he would use the shed for. The young man then explained he was restoring an old tractor. That weekend the young couple were walking past and my friend saw them and came out with bags of tools and tractor manuals. He told the young man to use them himself or pass them on to his friends as it was nice to think they were being used.

The next time I called in to see him the change was amazing. His contact with this young couple meant so much to him and as I got up to leave he said to me, “The darkness of loneliness has been lifted.”  A simple act of friendliness had brought light into someone’s life. Nothing extraordinary but special enough to change a life.             

When Jesus was teaching His followers in the Sermon on the Mount  He made it clear that He knew that life was not always easy but we should do what we can to lighten lives around us. Sometimes a simple act of friendliness  can be a great gift to give.                                                                                                                 

May God bless you and all those you love,

Brian. 

A Prayer

Heavenly Father,

May we always remember that Your Son Jesus brought us  hope and care and showed us that in our lives we can show these qualities too.

We thank You for life’s special gift of friendship. Help us to remember that we do not need great wisdom to be a good friend but only need to care, be ready to give them time and be ready to listen.

We thank You too for those who show care in this world in which we live in all kinds of special ways. Bless them, we pray, that they may have the strength they need. We pray too all for those who are struggling because of the places where they dwell and because of life’s problems. We humbly ask that they find strength and courage and that we may be shown ways that we can support them.

Bless our neighbours, friends and our loved ones and keep them safe we pray.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen                                                                                   

Aberlemno Parish Church

This small country parish church has a long history. A church here was dedicated by Bishop David de Bernham in 1242, but the site's history may be substantially longer.

There is documentary evidence to suggest that Aberlemno Kirk was originally called Egglespether, a Pictish church of around 710AD by King Nechtan, although this is not agreed by some scholars. On the register of churches belonging to Restenneth in 1161/2 Egglespether is mentioned but by 1230 it had become known as Aberlemno.

The building today largely dates to 1722 when the church was more or less completely rebuilt, although a ridge of possibly earlier stonework survives at the base of the church's walls. It has a T-shape plan, with a later porch and rear extension. The church is built in coursed sandstone rubble, with ashlar surrounds and has a slate roof. It is surrounded by a small graveyard and the manse stands to the east.

The church is surrounded by a graveyard with many 19th century stones. It is famous for its Pictish stone however, which stands near the west gable of the church. It dates to the 8th century and commemorates the battle of Nechtansmere.

In 1983 the Church was linked to the neighbouring parish of Guthrie and Rescobie.

Although it is a very historic Church, it still has a very active congregation with weekly services.

A few photos taken when putting up the Christmas decorations in the Church:

Aberlemno Church Coffee Morning
5th November 2022

Click here to download an annotated PDF copy of the above photos.

Did you know there is the Aberlemno book club based in Aberlemno Church? The idea is that you can go along to the ‘library” to pick up a book. You may also take one you have read and no longer need in to the library as a swap. If you simply take a book the charge is £2. However, if you take along a book to exchange the charge is only £1.

The books are in the Church at the back of the west pews so can be accessed at any time during the day whilst the church is open. Please do feel free to browse the selection or add to the books on offer.

Memorial Stone

During the first lockdown I was asked to find a gravestone at Aberlemno for a gentleman trying to trace his ancestors. Whilst researching this I discovered that there was an area at the West of the Kirkyard which had been set aside for the burial of infants and still-born babies. As there was nothing to mark this area, we decided we should put a Memorial stone on the wall where these little ones were laid to rest. I contacted David McGovern of Monikie Rock Art who, when he heard what the memorial was for, very kindly donated the stone which he created. Raymond and Kelly prepared the area beside the stone and we were able to dedicate it on Sunday 25th of April not only to remember those little ones and their heart-broken families but also those today who go through the same tragic loss.

B.R.