The Service to mark the closing of Kincardine Church had a full Church on Sunday 13th October. The local school, Gledfield Primary, had their own special Service on Friday before the pupils broke up for their October holidays. This was very fitting as the school was used for Services while the current Church was being built in 1909.
Regular Services were conducted until the end of December 2023 when Kincardine, Croick and Edderton and Creich Church and Dornoch Cathedral were united in a new Union, the Dornoch Firth Church of Scotland on, 1st January 2024.
The Service was be led by Interim Moderator for the Dornoch Firth Parish, Rev. Alistair Drummond, and supported by Rev. Carol Anne Porter, Locum Minister for the Parish, the Rev Mary Stobo, and Amanda Anderson, Highland & Islands Presbytery Support Officer, read the official closing statement at the end of the Service before Rev. Drummond gave the final blessing in Kincardine Church.

It was a historic and emotional occasion with some in attendance who were married, some were baptised and many whose parents had gifted various items to the Church. There was time after the service where the sizeable congregation shared memories with a display of photos as they enjoyed refreshments and the usual quality spread of goodies that Kincardine are noted for.

A GOLF event and dinner has raised more than £15,000 to support the Dornoch Firth Parish.
The organisers of the fundraiser welcomed the backing from nearly 50 competitors and supportive businesses.
Royal Dornoch Golf Club teed-up access to the Struie Course and Morrison Construction, who are building the eagerly awaited new clubhouse, were the main sponsors.
Each hole was sponsored by a local trader, with Glenmorangie providing team prizes and Royal Dornoch sponsoring the longest drive and nearest the pin.
A clubhouse dinner held after the golf was attended by 59 players and supporters, with the raffle generating £1700 and the auction raising a further £3240.
An out of town bidder enjoyed a successful internet bid for a three-night stay at Knockbreck House kindly donated by Town and Country Lettings.

New clubhouse project manager Brian Harper drives off with Morrison Construction team members Mark Cooper, Scott Birch and Calum MacKay joined by RDGC general manager Neil Hampton and Dornoch Firth Parish fundraiser John McMurray.

Other items in demand were a 100-year-old ladies set of hickory clubs, with bag, and a new to the market Octogrip putter featuring the Royal Dornoch name and logo on the base.
Fundraising convener John McMurray said:  “It was a very successful event and hopefully it will become an annual fixture on the local calendar.
“The money raised will be used to continue the fine work of Dornoch Firth Parish.
“The 15-strong volunteer fundraising team, together with other helpers giving their time on the day, would like to thank all those who sponsored the event, participated, bought raffle tickets, and bid for auction items. A big ‘Thank You’ is due to them all.”
The winning Bandits team featured Derick McCaskill, Graeme Simpson, Keith Henry and Phil Prince.
The runners-up, Jeani’s team, included Jeani Hunter, Christine Cruden and Ian Roylance.
The Mairi Urquhart and Sons Funeral Group team of David Ross, Suzanne McClenaghan, Grant Geddes and Martin Geddes finished third.

The winning Bandits team pictured with Dornoch Firth Parish fundraising convener John McMurray

Former Royal Dornoch captain and Cathedral elder Willie McKay said: “It was a fitting result for the Dornoch Parish golf event to have a son and son-in-law of the late Rev Jim Simpson, the former Minister and past captain of RDGC in the team.”
Other prizewinners were – nearest the pin: John Nimmo, Balmore GC; Ladies longest drive: Fran Robertson, Royal Dornoch; Gents longest drive: Brian Harper, Strathpeffer GC.