St Conan’s Kirk, Loch Awe

Patrick Millar looks at the recent origins of this ‘miniature cathedral’ of numerous architectural styles.  He refers to the legends of St Conan which moved Walter Douglas Campbell to plan and build the kirk; and of how his vision was shared and later carried forward by his sister, Helen.  The eclectic architecture, acquired furnishings and the association of Celtic saints’ names with its constituent parts are all described in a sympathetic manner, although the writer is aware of  reasons for the criticisms of the “purist” at every turn.