There has been Christian worship, weddings, baptisms and funerals at the site of Kilmallie Church, Corpach, for over 1400 years, but that continuity came under threat in November 2022 owing to electrical safety.  The Lochaber community and beyond answered the rallying call and provided support and donations, allowing repair of electrical work to the Church and re-commencement of services during December.  In response to this support from the community the ‘Friends’ was established as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), number SC052360.

Things moved on considerably in April 2023 when the Fort William Kilmallie Kirk Session decided to go ahead with electrical repairs in the Church Hall too and all was fully open again.

Eventually and after a difficult period of discussion, through the Kirk Session, Lochaber Presbytery and its Planning Group, to the national committees of the Church of Scotland, the Presbytery Mission Plan was altered in March 2024, placing Kilmallie Church in Category A, to be retained, meaning that its future was secure.  By this time the presbytery had reformed to become Clèir Eilean Ì: Highlands and Hebrides Presbytery.

The ‘Friends’ charitable purpose is the advancement of religion, education, arts, heritage and culture, through improving the viability, care and maintenance of Kilmallie Church, Corpach.  Focus will be on its preservation for posterity, safeguarding its amenity, environment, approach and surroundings, encouraging interest in its cultural history, all in support of the mission and outreach of Fort William Kilmallie Parish, Church of Scotland.

The ‘Friends’ aims to achieve its purpose by raising funds through social events and donations and providing a means by which raised funds can be held and directly applied to the repair and improvement of the Church.  

Our governing document is our Constitution which can be read here.  Its form follows the style and detail of that offered by SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) following preparation by Burness and Paull, solicitors, with the approval of regulatory bodies such as Companies House and OSCR (Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator).

The Constitution was adopted at our inaugural AGM on 27 August 2023 at which time trustees were elected: Norma MacLellan, Rosemary Green, Carolyn MacLeod, Cameron Malcolm and John Hutchison. In November 2023, Brenda Bruce was co-opted.  

The office bearers are:

• Chair: Cameron Malcolm
• Secretary: John Hutchison
• Treasurer: Norma MacLellan