Open-air preaching site, Ferintosh

This natural amphitheatre, set in oak woodland beside Ferintosh Burn, was an open-air preaching site. Here some of the finest ministers in the north preached to the crowds assembled for communion.

The small building was used by the minister as he prepared for the service. Benches were laid out for the congregation and some of the parishioners would bring umbrellas to provide shelter from the sun or rain.

A leading figure in this period was the Reverend Dr John MacDonald, also known as 'The Apostle of the North'. He was minister of Urquhart parish from 1813 until his death in 1849. This popular Gaelic preacher came to Ross-Shire when he was 34. His first communion at Urquhart was tinged with great sadness as he had just lost his wife. An immense crowd gathered for that first communion. It is said as many as 10,000 were in 'the Burn' that day to hear his words. This was at a time when congregations would travel many miles to attend religious services.

The Reverend MacDonald was one of the 470 Scottish ministers who broke away from the Established Church in 1843 and joined the Free Church. He continued to hold his services outdoors until a new church was built.