Kirkmichael as it is now

A very exciting day which started with a visit to the Chanonry sailing club open day. The weather dried up and we spent a pleasant hour watching the boats and a wonderful display by the RNLI with the lifeboat from Invergordon and the rib from North Kessock Station on the water and the Coastguard helicopter in the air. Amazing skill involved.
As we lt a few drops of rain started to fall and after Mike had popped in the COOP to get a drink the heavens opened. As we headed towards Balblair lightening flashed across the sky and thunder rumbled. We were on our way to Kirkmichael Archaeology event. There was no way we could get out of the car without getting soaked to the skin so we drove to Udale Bay waiting for it to pass. It eased a bit so we headed for the kirk through flooded roads but still the rain came down so we waited a while longer and eventually made it to the Marquee. Really interesting photos and a chat with the project archaeologists Lynne and Lachlan McKeggie about their findings so far and the plans for the future.
The skies cleared and brought bright sunshine so we managed to have a tour of the site and were very lucky to be able to go inside the ruin, hard hats on just incase.
When we first moved up the Kirk still had it's roof but by 2012 with the increase in the growth of the ivy and bad weather the roof finally collapsed. The slate tiles and the wooden beams have now all been removed from the inside and it is hoped that most can be used for the 'new' roof.
A fund was set up nearly 20 years ago and money from donations and grants has been raised for the restoration. Exciting times ahead and the plans for an information centre where some of the amazing carved stones from the area will be displayed look very impressive.
It's not going to be easy though as you can see from the photo the Kirk is only just standing so some of the stone walls will need to be taken down first, carefully labelled and then rebuilt. Access is another problem with the wall that surrounds the Kirk and the Kirk itself being listed buildings surrounded by graves and headstones etc. Electricity and drainage will need to weave their way through stones with as little disturbance as possible.
Back home for a quick dinner and then to Eden court to see the Peatbog Faeries, a Celtic fusion band based in the Isle of Skye .Great toe tapping tunes.
Thank you to Marlieske for hosting Derelict Sunday :)