Community / Development group keen to explore feasibility of turning Whalsay kirk into community space
A FEASIBILITY study may be carried out into whether one of Whalsay’s kirks could have a new life as a community hub.
The kirk in question is the one at Brough in the west of the island, which will be sold off by the Church of Scotland.
The Whalsay Kirk Development Group, which is now registered as a company, is behind the plans.
It has applied for funding from the Scottish Land Fund for a feasibility study into the proposal, with the group expecting to hear back soon.
This would include a structural survey of the old building, to see if it can be saved.
Chairperson Thelma Stearn said: “It’s going to be a really expensive project if we go ahead, which is why we’re wanting to have a really thorough feasibility study.
“We just see it being a community hub. It’s a very old historic building, and we’re very constrained because it’s also a listed building.”
There is still a desire to keep hosting marriages and funerals in the building.
The kirk is one of many churches earmarked for closure by the Church of Scotland, which is selling off two thirds of its Shetland estate in phases.
Whalsay folk have already been consulted by the group about ideas for the building – with a general community hub the favoured way forward.
Numerous ideas have been suggested for the space, from artist studios to self-catering bunk rooms.
But Stearn said it could even provide a place for people simply to go and have a coffee and read a book.
She also suggested it could tie in somehow with the popularity of the Houb in Whalsay with birdwatchers.
The church, which has a kirk yard still in use, closes over the winter due as its location – at the end of a piece of land stretching out into the water – can be difficult to access in icy weather.
“It’s like everywhere else – it’s a small congregation,” Stearn said, “but a very dedicated congregation.”
Some other churches have successfully been taken over by their community, but perhaps the most transformative project has been the Bigton Kirk.
That has been reopened by the Bigton Collective as Hymhus, which features a second hand shop and spaces for events and exhibitions.
The latest church to go up for sale was the historic Tingwall Kirk, which is currently under offer.
Meanwhile planning permission was recently granted to a family for turning the Hillswick Kirk into a home.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
