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Marydale Parish
Marydale comprises the Parish Church of Our Lady and St. Bean, the Parish Hall and, located in the old presbytery, Sancti Angeli Benedictine Skete. It is situated in fifteen acres of church croft land including the small Scots pinewood on the right as you approach the church . This dedicated parish page includes information for visitors to the church and skete, and a parish photo album/news bulletin.
Parish News UpdateFather Michael Savage was appointed parish priest at Inverness in the beginning of ‘06, with oversight of Marydale, Stratherrick and Fort Augustus. He is ‘on loan’ from Glasgow Archdiocese and was previously parish priest at Tain. Father Michael is a member the Schoenstatt movement which works worldwide with families and youth. His brother is a monk of Pluscarden Abbey and his sister a nun of Stanbrook Abbey. He is assisted at Inverness by Father Ryszard Swider, as Polish Chaplain. Father Ryszard takes it in turns with Father Michael to go round the outlying parishes. In August, Patrick Darbyshire was ordained permanent deacon, serving Inverness and the outlying parishes, and with responsibility for visiting local schools. He and his wife and family are members of the Marydale congregation, and have been involved in the catering and hospitality industry for many years. |
 Marydale from Invercannich. The parish hall is on the right, the skete behind the church. |
Mass at MarydaleMass at Marydale: 6.30pm Saturday night (Vigil of Sunday) Parish priest: Father Michael Savage, Inverness. 01463 233519 Permanent Deacon: Rev. Deacon Patrick Darbyshire. 01456 450154 Resident Sister & Sacristan: Sister Petra Clare. 01456 415218 Parish Council: Contact Peter MacDonald. 01456 476240 Children’s Liturgy: is available during the Mass and run by two excellent teachers, Mrs. Eileen MacPherson (01456 450552) and Mrs. Nan McGeady (01456 450424) for details. Sick Communion /eucharistic services: Deacon Patrick is in charge of these, helped by Mrs. Alison Skelton (01456 450398). |
 The church, as seen from |
The Church of St. Mary and St. BeanParish Church for Upper Strathglass, Glen Urquhart & DrumnadrochitThe titular saints are Our Lady and St. Bean, traditionally the first missionary of Strathglass, to whom the pre-reformation church was dedicated (see history page). The present church was built in 1866, with the school (now the church hall) opening a few years later. A large number of those who worked on the hydro-electric scheme in glens Cannich and Affric attended Marydale. Older parishioners remember going to primary school here, obtaining their kilts from the kiltmaker at Invercannich. Old footage of film shows Billie MacLennan, now a local builder and joiner of repute winning races in the school playing field, now part of the church croft grazing. |
The church retains some relics of the Highland mission, with a holy water stoup from Knockfin in the porch and, just outside the door, a cupstone mounted on a plinth. This cupstone, traditionally used for baptisms in the glen, was last used during the Jesuit mission, notably by Father Farqharson S.J. who is commemorated on the plinth. The church has recently been restored through a massive fund raising effort by the parishioners, co-ordinated by Father Paul Bonnici: major grants were received from Historic Scotland and the National Lottery.
Life at MarydaleThis area is for parishioners to contribute their own photos and additional parish news. Also welcome are contributions from those who have connections with Cannich, and family memories or photos of the church and it’s priests, for the parish records. | ||||||
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