Saint Mary & Saint Finnan Church — Attraction in Scotland

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Peaceful Highland Treasure — Stunning Church with Scenic Views

St. Mary and St. Finnan Church near Glenfinnan is a quiet gem tucked away in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Even though it’s not a mainstream tourist stop, it’s one of the most serene and picturesque places I visited during our trip to the Glenfinnan area.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of Loch Shiel and the surrounding mountains, the church itself is small but incredibly atmospheric. Built in the 1870s, the architecture is simple Gothic Revival, and it blends beautifully with the natural surroundings. Inside, you’ll find beautiful stained glass windows, carved woodwork, and a peaceful ambiance that invites quiet reflection.

Outside the church is a small graveyard, where you’ll find the final resting place of some notable local figures, including members of the Clan MacDonald of Glenaladale — known supporters of Bonnie Prince Charlie. The history adds a deeper layer of meaning to the visit, especially if you’re exploring the Jacobite heritage in the area.

📸 Photo Tip: Walk behind the church for sweeping views of Loch Shiel — a perfect spot for wide-angle landscape shots or dramatic silhouette photography near sunset.

It’s free to enter, usually open during daylight hours, and a great stop if you’re visiting the Glenfinnan Viaduct or Monument nearby. Highly recommended for history lovers, photographers, or anyone seeking a moment of...

We came across this beautiful church on our drive to Glenfinnan Viaduct. It was so so mesmerising that we had to stop here before we could reach our main destination.

It’s an architectural marvel, built centuries ago. There was a huge bell outside the church which gave very gothic vibes. The whole church has beautiful designs on the outer walls and the glass windows were stunning with the paintings on them. It seemed closed so we couldn’t go inside the church.

The icing on the cake was the views the church was hiding behind itself. Just a few steps downhill, right behind the church, we found ourselves standing in one of the most scenic spots in the Highlands. It was exactly like the scenery we all used to draw when we were young - a beautiful range of mountains, clouds floating above it and a beautiful body of water touching the foot of these mountains. It was absolutely stunning and if given a choice, we would’ve never left that place!

Recommend anyone who’s reading this review to definitely stop by and spend...

While driving home from Mallaig on Sunday evening, we passed this beautiful Roman-Catholic Church. A very kind elderly lady was already arrived to close the Church for the evening but she still let me in to light a candle for my loved one who were ill at that moment. We ended up having a very interesting conversation of half-an-hour and she told me all about the history of the Roman-Catholics in the Western part of Scotland and a bit of the Scottish society nowadays. Bless...