 Canisbay Church, the most northerly parish church on mainland Scotland, sits on the site of the chapel of St Drostan, a missionary to Pictland in the 6th Century A.D. It is said that it is built on the mound covering the ruins of a Bronze Age broch
St. Drostan was one of the twelve companions who sailed from Ireland to Scotland around 563 A.D. with St. Columba. These twelve became known as the "Brethren of St Columba" St. Drostan accompanied St. Columba in his travels throughout Pictland.
The current church building dates mainly from the 17th century but also incorporates some of the walling from the medieval church. Inside the church is a memorial to Jan de Grot, a Dutchman who obtained a grant for a ferry from the mainland to Orkney. He gave his name to the nearby town of John o'Groats.
About Canisbay Church (St. Drostan's Monastery)
Canmore: Canisbay Parish Church
Am Baile: Canisbay, Church of Scotland
Wikipedia: Drostan
Undiscovered Scotland: Saint Drostan
Journey to Canisbay Church (St. Drostan's Monastery)
Canisbay Church is located off the off the A836 2.6 miles (4.2 km) west of John o'Groats.
Streetmap UK NGR ND3434972853
Visitors Information
Visitors information for Canisbay Church may be found at the Am Baile website. General tourist information may be found at Visit Scotland: Caithness and North Coast Sutherland Area website.
Additional Photos of Canisbay Church (St. Drostan's Monastery)
Canisbay Church Sign at Site of St. Drostan's Monastery, Highland, Scotland (J. Demetrescu 2022)
Canisbay Historic Church Sign Across from Site of St. Drostan's Monastery,Highland, Scotland (J. Demetrescu 2022)
Canisbay Church, Site of St. Drostan's Monastery, Highland, Scotland (J. Demetrescu 2022)
Canisbay Church Sign on Site of St. Drostan's Monastery, Highland, Scotland (J. Demetrescu 2022)
Canisbay Church Graveyard, Site of St. Drostan's Monastery, Highland, Scotland (J. Demetrescu 2022)
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