Glenorchy Parish Church

Glenorchy Parish Church
Glenorchy Parish Church and Graveyard
Glenorchy Parish Church The church within Argyll and Bute
Coordinates: 56°24′15″N 4°58′16″W / 56.4041°N 4.9710°W / 56.4041; -4.9710
Location	Dalmally
Country	Scotland
Denomination	Church of Scotland
Website	www.glenorchyparish.org.uk
Architecture
Status	Parish church
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Category A listed building
Designated	20 July 1971
Architect(s)	James Elliot
Style	Gothic Revival
Completed	1811

Glenorchy Parish Church is a congregation of the Church of Scotland in the village of Dalmally, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is the parish church of the parish of Glenorchy and Inishail. The church is also known as Glenorchy Kirk, and was historically known as the Church of Dysart (Scottish Gaelic: Clachan Diseart). There have been many alternate spellings, including "Dysert", "Disart", "Glenwrquha", "Glenvrquha", "Glenvrquhay", "Clachandysert", "Clachan Disert, "Claghan-Diseirt" and "Dysart and Glenurquhie".

The octagonal church building dates from the early 19th century. It is protected as a Category A listed building, and is also notable for its burial ground and grave slabs. The old churchyard which surrounds the parish church contains some ancient gravestones of the clan, and the gallows-hill of Glenorchy is famed in Highland tradition as a place of execution.

The church was built upon an islet formed by the River Orchy. It is situated within Dalmally in western Scotland, which is near the A85 road and is served by Dalmally railway station. Opposite the church is the Gallow Hill of Glenorchy, which is reputed in Highland tradition to have been the location of summary executions when the Macgregors controlled the region. Near the church is the well of Saint Conan, known locally as a holy well.

The parish of Glenorchy lies between Perthshire to the east, and Lochawe and Loch Etive to the west. It was formed in 1618 when the parishes of Glenorchy and Inishail were united. The two parishes were subsequently separated in 1660, but were reunited by the Rescissory Act 1661. The principal valleys in Glenorchy parish are Glenstrae, Glen Orchy and Glen Lochay. Near the centre of the parish is Loch Tulla, with Loch Lydon to the north and Loch Awe to the south.