St. Conan's Kirk is a picturesque, but unusual church on the shores of Loch Awe. Considered one of Scotland's top 10 buildings, it's known for mixing nearly every style of Scottish church architecture into one fairy-tale building. Self-taught architect Walter Douglas Campbell built the original small church (comprising the nave and part of the choir) so his elderly mother could attend services without traveling far.
St. Conan's Kirk, c. 1881-1886
A fairy tale church
Eclectic Architecture
Window
Window
Fully completed in 1930
Campbell heavily relied on historic, recycled, and salvaged materials to build St. Conan's Kirk, most notably incorporating massive timber beams from two decommissioned Royal Navy wooden battleships. The Bruce Chapel inside the kirk was specifically designed to commemorate King Robert the Bruce’s victory at the Battle of the Pass of Brander in 1308. Beneath the floor of the chapel lies a small ossuary (a stone casket) holding an actual skeletal remain of Robert the Bruce. Unfortunately, I didn't go into the Bruce Chapel. The St. Bride's Chapel contains an effigy of Campbell. I saw this one.
Effigy of Campbell, c. 1929-1930
Inside the church
Big pillars
Landscaping
Courtyard
Out back
Church view: Loch Awe