A T-plan church whose conspicuous clock tower belongs to a later phase.
Quick facts
- Date
- 1780–81; altered 1812, 1868, 1870 and 1887
- Architect / designer
- Original architect not established; clock tower by A & W Reid, 1870
- Type
- Parish church
- OS grid reference
- NJ 27786 49170
The structure
Rubble walls and granite dressings frame round-headed windows. The square tower rises through four stages to a pyramid roof, with clock faces breaking into the cornice.
Its story
Built in 1780–81 with finance from the Earl of Findlater, the church gained a vestry in 1812 and was heightened in 1868. A & W Reid supplied the tower in 1870; the interior was remodelled in 1887. Removal of harling in 1954 changed the exterior’s appearance.
Why it is included
It makes successive adaptations legible within an apparently unified village landmark.
What to look for
- Round-headed windows and granite dressings
- The clock faces at the tower’s upper cornice
Reading the surroundings
At the High Street and Seafield Square, the tower provides a vertical accent to the street.
Timeline
- 1780–81 Church built.
- 1870 Clock tower added.
- 1954 Harling removed and masonry repointed.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
Reuse of stone from the earlier church is reported rather than proved. The listing describes historic fabric and is not a current interior condition survey.
Sources & further reading
- HES: Rothes Parish Church, LB40440 — Construction phases, architectural description and clock history.
- Scotland’s Churches Trust: Rothes Parish Church — Church history and corroboration of the transferred clock.
Location
OS grid reference NJ 27786 49170 · Location confidence: High: HES National Grid reference converted to WGS84; catalogue point, not an entrance. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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