Rosemarkie Parish Church

When you stand in the churchyard at Rosemarkie Parish Church you may not realise how much ecclesiastical history lies beneath your feet. The current building was completed in 1821, but it was built on the site of the first Cathedral of the Diocese of Ross which dates from much earlier – around 1125, in the reign of David I.

In the following century, around 1235, it was decided to move the site of the Cathedral Church of Ross to Fortrose although Rosemarkie was still known as the 'Kyrk-Cathedral' in 1338.

However, that first cathedral at Rosemarkie probably stood on, or near, an earlier Christian site, dating as far back at the 6^th century. It was at this time that St Moluag of Lismore, a missionary of the Celtic Church, is said to have founded a Christian settlement in the area. He died in 592 and is supposed to be buried at Rosemarkie.

Later, in the 8^th century, around the year 716, St Curitan, or more commonly, St Boniface is said to have taken over the monastery at Rosemarkie. This saint is remembered in local customs and placenames. The cathedral at Fortrose is dedicated to St Boniface and St Peter and the burgh seal, in use from at least 1357, still depicts the two saints. A well in Fortrose is named after St Boniface and every summer the Saint's feast day is commemorated at the St Boniface Fair which takes place in the cathedral grounds.

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