Clackmannanshire
Tullibody is the oldest parish in Clackmannanshire. David I granted it to Cambuskenneth Abbey in 1147 and parts of the Old Kirk, which has had a turbulent history, may well date to that time; a date stone of 1539 probably refers to a later restoration. The roof was removed in 1559 by French soldiers employed by the Regent Mary of Guise; they used the timbers to repair Tullibody Bridge, which had been damaged by Scottish troops.. The church was left roofless for many years and in 1600 the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland the parochial centre to Alloa.
The Old Kirk was eventually repaired and reroofed, then restored again in 1760, with the addition of a bellcote, by George Abercromby, whose family had bought the Tullibody estate over a century earlier; it became their mausoleum. In 1833 it became a chapel of ease, but the new church of St Serf was built in 1904 and the dilapidated Old Kirk was abandoned. The roof was removed in 1916.
There are several interesting, though badly damaged, memorials in the nave, the most impressive being that for George Abercromby (1625-99). Two phases of restoration work have been completed. There are also impressive trade and other gravestones in the surrounding kirkyard. The village was originally near the Old Kirk, but in c1800 the Abercromby family relocated it further south.
Facilities
Additional Access Information
Access into and around the old kirkyard and the approach to the Old Kirk is uneven, though once inside the floor is fairly level.
Gallery
Key Information
There will be guided tours but booking is not required.
Where to find us
Address
- Menstrie Road
- Tullibody
- FK10 2RF