Blankets required for service

Worshippers braved the cold on Sunday for the traditional blanket preaching service. Photo: Grant Kinghorn.

The traditional annual open-air worship service in the Kirkyard of St Mary of the Lowes was held on Sunday, July 23.

Around 40 worshippers, and several of their four-legged friends, braved the unseasonal elements of a cold and wet July day to walk up the steep hillside to the ancient kirkyard, which looks over St Mary’s Loch.

However, their spirits were kept high, thanks to the encouragement from Colin Turnbull’s pipes.

The ceremony marks the lengths people had to take in the 17th century to attend illicit church services, often huddled in blankets.

The service was provided by the Reverend Jim Wallace, before the small congregation headed back down for refreshments.