The Kyle of Sutherland is essentially rural, the major land use being farming and forestry with various sporting activities such as fishing, stalking and shooting. There is a well-known whisky distillery in Edderton and a small quarry near Ardgay. Many people earn their living from the land, service industries and tourism. Outreach to the community has included special services such as Lambing and Fishing in the appropriate seasons to recognise the work of our residents.
Close to each other are a modern medical centre, a day care facility (the Bradbury Centre) and a community hospital. The Church of Scotland has Oversteps, a care home for the elderly in Dornoch, where there is also The Meadows, a privately run home. There are primary schools in Ardgay, Bonar Bridge, Edderton and Rosehall which feed into Tain Academy, Dornoch Academy and Golspie High School. Previous ministers have visited the primary schools regularly and we would wish such visits to continue.
We have seen major local projects over the last years. The Bradbury Centre, mentioned above, was a project set up and funded by the community with application for grants, donations and fundraising events. It was built in Bonar Bridge to provide day care and lunch club facilities for the over 60’s of the Kyle of Sutherland area. Although run by a charity, Social Services in all the parishes use it for assessed day care, laundry etc. There are plans for major upgrading of the facilities. A group of volunteers regularly hold short services of worship there. The recently set up Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust is working innovatively and has helped to rebuild the Shin Falls Visitor Centre, maintain the Post Office and is involved with provision of affordable housing, offering energy efficiency support as well as running a programme of Keep Active Together events. It is currently looking at improving provision for dementia sufferers. A third excellent community project, “The Kyle of Sutherland Hub”, has been developed between Ardgay and Bonar offering gym facilities, a soft play area, a cafe and many activities including a youth club with sections for various ages. This is only a few minutes’ walk from the manse in Ardgay.
Tain, about 12 miles away, has a selection of supermarkets and shops. There is a bus service which connects with services to Inverness and the South. Ardgay train station is on the direct line to Inverness, approximately 40 miles away. The Post Office in Bonar Bridge provides most banking while mobile banking services are provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland and The Bank of Scotland.
The area offers many excellent opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, mountain biking, hill walking and climbing. Bonar Bridge has a renowned 9 hole golf course and Royal Dornoch is only 15 miles away.
Each parish has a village hall which is well used by the residents for a variety of activities.
While it is now an independent charity, the congregations support the Dornoch Firth Group which was initially set up by members of the Church of Scotland churches in the area to respond to needs in East Sutherland. It identifies and creates strategies and opportunities for the development of life skills and social interaction, especially for those more vulnerable or less able. Activities at the moment include a lunch club, social club and cookery club for adults with special needs and a cookery club for secondary pupils with special needs. The establishment of a Men’s Shed is underway at Oversteps.
At present worship services are held regularly in the churches of the four main villages with occasional joint services. Currently Croick is used once per month April to September. Kincardine (Ardgay) and Edderton have joint services. The Church buildings are all well maintained and cared for. There are Readers and others who help with the practical challenges of offering regular worship and pastoral care in all parts of the linked parishes.
Elders and others visit regularly and inform the minister of those requiring a visit. A small prayer group meets regularly and include prayer for those for whom prayer has been requested.
Lent studies have taken place regularly and members support special events run by Presbytery and the Councils of the Church. There is an interdenominational Bible study group which meets in Bonar Bridge.
Recently, regular contact with the Scottish Episcopal Church has seen the development of monthly informal services held in the Hub as well as the invitation to participate in their Eucharist services held in various places in the area. Several members of our congregations join with the Free Church on occasion.
Across the linkage, special collections at such services as Christmas are given to a variety of aid organisations. We support the Blythswood Shoe Box appeal, World Mission through their postage stamp collection, the Salvation Army through the Soup Pot project and the Scottish Bible Society. We also support Alba Aid who work in Malawi and Romania. Locally the Highland Food Bank is supported at Harvest and other times and the Cameo (Come And Meet Each Other) sale raises money for several northern charities.
All congregations meet their yearly Ministry and Mission contribution.
A Reader is attached to the charge. He is used regularly when two worship leaders are required to cover services. Several others, including retired Ministers, are also available to help. An Auxiliary Minister and an OLM reside within the charge and, although at present their duties are mainly outwith this area, they take an active role in the church life and are happy to help when needed. We have regular organists available. Each member of the linkage has a session clerk. The Dornoch Firth Group employs two part-time workers.
The manse is in Ardgay. It is a substantial stone building dating from 1910 with a main outlook facing east providing a marvellous, uninterrupted view down the Dornoch Firth. The ground floor: two public rooms, hall, study, cloakroom, kitchen, utility and a small conservatory overlooking the rear garden. The first floor has four bedrooms, bathroom and a good sized linen cupboard. There is a floored-in attic with access via retractable steps. The driveway has ample parking and a garage. The garden is principally lawn and shrubs, so easy to maintain. The manse has recently undergone some renovation to install a downstairs shower room and new kitchen units.