THE HISTORIC parish church of St Vigeans by Arbroath has been successful in obtaining grant aid from both Historic Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund to help cover the costs of urgent roof work.

The total cost of the repairs is estimated at around £360,000. The grant received from Historic Scotland totals just over £124,000 and the Heritage Lottery Fund have donated £106,500—leaving a deficit of around £130,000 for the church to raise.

Elder David Cargill explained, “We have already raised some of the required figure with our ongoing fund-raising.

“However, the roof committee have decided to give everyone the opportunity to sponsor a slate for the minimum of £5 per slate.”

Anyone interested in sponsoring a slate should contact Mr Cargill on 01241 828312 or Mr Andy Lawson on 01241 830203.

The church property and fabric convenor, Frank Falconer, said the whole roof is in need of urgent repair due to being “nail sick” and the entire roof will have to be re-slated.

“The valleys and the rainwater system are to be cleaned and upgraded, and work will be carried out on the tower and the rest of the stonework—plus raking out and re-pointing,” he said.

“A new protection system is also to be provided for the beautiful church windows.”

Kirk session records for the picturesque church atop its little hill (which begin in 1665) refer often to the need for repairs. The last referral to the roof was when it was completely renewed around 1871/72.

The restored church was re-opened on May 9, 1872, and has remained virtually unaltered since then.

The architect mentioned during these alterations was Sir R. Rowand Anderson of Edinburgh.

Mr Cargill said that the church dates all the way back to the 12th century.

“The name St Vigeans was certainly associated with our church when William the Lion founded the Abbey of Arbroath in 1178 and gave the church and all its belongings to the abbey,” he said.

“The church was consecrated in 1242 by Bishop David de Bernhame of St Andrews.

“During the whole period from 1178 to the Reformation in 1560, the church was a cure or dependency of the abbey which supplied a priest for the daily services.”