Historic Kilmun is gearing up for the new season with a new addition thanks to a link up with the Dunoon Community Shed.

The venue, which opens its doors to the public from April 6th, has recently taken delivery of a new Mausoleum interpretation board crafted from the church’s surplus pew by John Ferrie at the Community shed.

The board, which provides a comprehensive history of the Dukes and Duchesses of Argyll of the last 600 years that were interred within the adjoining Argyll Mausoleum was the brainchild of Bob Reid, a local historian who works as a volunteer with Historic Kilmun and the Argyll Archives.

Bob commented: “We needed a new information point that charted the venue’s rich history and close ties with the Clan Campbell. We’ve worked closely with the Shed over the past six months to create an interpretation board that will enhance the visitor experience.”

The new board was officially launched by Robert Mann, chair of the Dunoon Community Shed, at an event attended by a number of local people.

The Duke of Argyll wrote to Historic Kilmun to say: “This demonstrates a positive community partnership between Historic Kilmun and the Dunoon Community Shed and it’s particularly pleasing to learn that all of the wood used for this was recycled. Congratulations to both organisations.”

Historic Kilmun saw a 25% increase in visitors in 2024 with expectations high that 2025 can continue that trend.

Historic Kilmun’s Board Chair Jennifer Bryson commented: “There are so many stories to tell in a venue that charts over 1500 years of history since the Irish missionary St Munn first arrived on these shores.

“This new interpretation board brings history to life on the banks of Holy Loch, and we look forward to welcoming more local people and visitors from afar to this local landmark over the coming months.

“A big thank you to everyone involved in this project, especially Bob, Sandy and Gus as well as those from Dunoon Community Shed,” added Jennifer.

Nine guides from Inveraray Castle recently paid a visit to Historic Kilmun as the two Argyll-based venues seek to forge stronger ties.

The guides, which included a Swiss intern from Lucerne, spent the day with Historic Kilmun’s own team of volunteers in order to find out more about the historic venue on the banks of Holy Loch.

Jennifer Bryson of Historic Kilmun commented: “It was great to welcome the team from Inveraray Castle in what is the latest initiative to build a stronger relationship with the venue.

“All of those visiting learnt about our own strong ties with the Clan Campbell and the Dukes of Argyll through the mausoleum with many not realising quite how interlinked our two venues are.

“They all got a taste for what Historic Kilmun has to offer as we approach the end of the 2024 season and we envisage further developments in the near future to build on the success of this latest visit,” added Jennifer.

Historic Kilmun is gearing up for another busy ‘Doors Open Days’ weekend in September.

The Scotland-wide initiative involves museums and historical landmarks opening their doors to the public free of charge for a weekend with September 21^st to 22^nd as the scheduled date for locations across Argyll and Bute.

The scheme has, in the recent past, resulted in record numbers of people visiting the historic church on the banks of Holy Loch and it’s hoped that 2024 will see that trend continuing given that it also coincides with Cowal Open Studios weekend that runs from September 20^th to 23^rd.

Historic Kilmun volunteer Sandy Craig commented “Visitors to the area and local people can get a taste for the vibrant arts scene and rich history that we have along the Shore Villages.

“There are so many stories to tell linked with this venue and it’s a great stopping off point for anyone wanting to take in the COS arts trail on this side of Holy Loch.

“The Doors Open scheme invariably proves very successful with far more visitors than normal making the most of the free entry. There are still many Cowal residents who have yet to visit Historic Kilmun and we hope they’ll take this opportunity to discover more about the heritage of the area.

“You’ll be able to immerse yourself in all things Cowal so here’s hoping for a bit of decent weather!” added Sandy.

New volunteer Margaret Stevenson (left) pictured with Sandy Craig (right)

Join us for our Songs of Praise special on Sunday 8th September from 7PM …and a reminder that Historic Kilmun will be opening up to the public free of charge for the weekend of September 21-22 as part of the Doors Open Days 2024 scheme…this coincides with the Cowal Open Studios weekend so why not immerse yourself in art and history for an ‘all things Cowal’ weekend!! Visit www.cowalopenstudios.co.uk for more details

Historic Kilmun plays host to a recital from accomplished organist Alan Tavener together with wife Rebecca, a soprano singer, on Friday 16 August 2024 from 7.30pm.

The evening will include A Trumpet Minuet by Alfred Hollins, A Highland Rose by Christopher Tambling and Ave Maria by Cesar Franck amongst a number of other compositions.

As a music graduate of the University of Oxford and an educational research graduate of the University of Strathclyde, Alan Tavener’s working life has always centred on choral leadership, embracing a wide spectrum from community choirs to the direction of Cappella Nova, with much in between.

Since 2019, he has been Director of Music at St Bride’s Episcopal Church in and, together with Rebecca, a part of the Music Ministry team at St Columbkille’s RC Church in Rutherglen

Rebecca studied Speech & Drama and Theology and became proficient on a number of early woodwind instruments before finding her true vocation as a singer, learning traditional bel canto vocal techniques.  In 1982 she co-founded Scotland’s first professional concert choir specialising in early music, Cappella Nova.

Rebecca launched her critically acclaimed ensemble Canty (four female voices with Bill Taylor on medieval harps) to mark the 800^th anniversary of St Hildegard of Bingen in 1998.

Tickets priced at £10.00 are available from Bookpoint or by calling 01369 706591.