Graphic © Stephen Tinney
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The
Right Reverend Ian Murray, Bishop of Argyll and the Isles
with some
young parishioners
The Catholic Church in Skye
The Church building in Portree was provided by the MacDonald Family who had a farmhouse on the site of the present car park. The house had a Chapel which was large enough to accommodate the very few Catholics in Skye at that time. However, as the house fell into disrepair the land was gifted to the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles. Some of it was subsequently sold to the Local Authority and that is why the Church is now surrounded by houses. The parcel of land where the Church now is remains in the hands of the Diocese. The Church was built in the early 1960’s and is of very simple construction. However the inside of the Church has a spiritual quality which has been maintained over the years by the Parishioners, who have grown to about 300 Catholics on Skye.
 St. Mary's Portree |
 Christmas at St. Mary's Portree |
The Eucharist is now also celebrated each week in the Church of St. Maolrubha in Broadford for people who live in the South of the Island. This is a lovely new Church situated in a converted building gifted to the Diocese by Anthony and Jane Wilcken. A great deal of fundraising has taken place during the past four years but now the building can be used. The Church is located at the head of the Pier, accessed by the road which is signposted to the Youth Hostel. It has car-parking and full disabled access.
 St. Maolrubha's Church,
Broadford |
 St Maolrubha's Church interior - 2003 |
The Congregations at Portree and Broadford are greatly increased every year during the holiday season by Tourists who visit Skye, and of course at Easter and Christmas when many people return to their family homes on the Island.
In the mid-90's Fr. Kim Holland, who was the priest at the time, dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary the Church in Portree, which at that time was the only Roman Catholic church on the Island. This was as She had requested of the children at Fatima in 1917. Our Lady asked for all Churches to be so dedicated. The prayer of Dedication used by Fr. Holland is included here. Many believe that the dedication has helped to bring about the provision of the new church in Broadford.
Now in 2005 we have a new Church in Portree to replace the one shown earlier in the website. Two new churches in the Isle of Skye in less than 10 years!
St. Mary's Portree
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| St. Mary's Portree 2005 | Christmas at St. Mary's Portree 2005 |
About the Isle of Skye
Prayer of Consecration
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