Church of Our Lady and St Finnan, Glennfinnan

This is a Roman Catholic Church built by E W Pugin in 1873 in an area distinguished by its strong post-Reformation RC presence. It contributes by its setting to the sensitive and important wider visual and historical landscape of Glenfinnan.

Architecturally, it is a competent work by a nationally known firm of architects and is B-listed. Within a dominantly Presbyterian Scotland, Catholic survival / 17th century missionary driven revival were important elements in Lochaber’s historical development.

In this context, the building of the church and the choice of site has great cultural resonance. Glenfinnan, at the head of Loch Sheil, was the place where Prince Charles Edward Stuart raised his standard in 1745 – representative of the Catholic Stuart claim to the throne.

The church is set on a high knoll and overlooks the Glenfinnan Monument which commemorates the event.

Keeping an old and drafty church warm is very expensive these days and energy prices are probably going to increase year on year. Air source heat pumps are a very efficient and eco-friendly way of keeping your congregation warm. Because you are only paying for the transfer of heat, instead of fuel to create the heat, bills are kept to a minimum and because you are not burning costly gas or oil, you are also helping the environment. For an average church, heating costs could be reduced to as little as 60p per day. The energy efficient heat source pump can be installed in less than a week and after that maintenance is minimal.

Also, because the pump can be left running continuously, there are some important structural benefits. The building is less likely to suffer from damp and other problems associated with large old buildings and the British weather. In fact, the open plan nature of most churches or church halls, makes an air source heat pump an ideal way of heating the entire building – far more effective than radiators – and a superb investment, paying back the capital outlay very quickly. Some churches have noticed that their hall is used more often because the low heating costs make hiring it more cost effective. It is simple and straightforward to install, causing minimum disruption and you start saving money immediately. It is very quiet and can be controlled remotely.

For further information about church heating in Scotland visit www.albaairenergy.co.uk