News & Events

Over the summer months the Free North congregation in Inverness have been opening their doors on Saturday afternoons as part of their outreach activities.

Minister Reverend Colin Macleod explains:

“What do you do with an architecturally and aesthetically beautiful building apart from using it as a meeting place to worship on a Sunday morning and evening? You open it up to the public and share as much information about the building and the purpose of it with them!

“This is what we’ve been doing in the Free North since the end of June. ‘Open Doors’ has been on-going every Saturday from 2pm to 5pm with the aim of attracting the many tourists from all over the world who visit Inverness each year.

“There’s historical information about the building on display as well as contemporary information about the congregation, including a description of our worship and the centrality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all that we do. Tracts in a multitude of languages are available for people to read and take away.

“We have a team of volunteers to welcome folk in and be shown around if they wish. There’s also a designated ‘quiet area’ for people to go to pray or reflect or just to sit and take in the beauty of the interior of the building uninterrupted.

“Free refreshments and home baking are on offer all afternoon. This can be a busy corner of the church!

“So far there have been between 30 and 50 people in each Saturday. Some have come for a very short visit and then left; others have engaged in general conversations about the building, enjoyed a cuppa and then left; others have wanted to talk about the issues of life, death and eternity. It’s wonderful that Jesus has something to say about each of these and that we can share that with these folk.

“Our final ‘Open Doors’ day will be Saturday 1st September, probably marking the end of the tourist season. However, we do have other plans along generally similar lines for after this.”

Some of the comments left in the visitors’ book include: 

“We are sure God brought us here. Thanks for the welcome and word of God.” (Brazil)
“I loved your cakes and your friendly faces.” (Norway)
“Beautiful church and great leaflets. Thanks.” (Germany)
“A warm and comfortable church and people.” (Switzerland)

The outreach also featured on a recent story for BBC Alba, which can be viewed by clicking here.(Note: For non-Gaelic speakers there is a 15-second clip with Reverend Colin Macleod in English).