Old Parish Church, Erroll Street, Peterhead

The Old Parish Church, also called the Muckle Kirk, stands in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. Built between 1804 and 1806 by local brothers Robert and John Mitchell, it follows a design by Alexander Laing from Edinburgh. The church’s Burgerhuys bell, dating to 1647, is one of its oldest features. It served the town for over two centuries before closing in 2016. The congregation later joined Peterhead’s Trinity Church to form a new parish. The church is recognised as a Category A listed building, marking its national importance. Its architecture reflects early 19th-century design, blending practicality with tradition. The bell’s survival from the mid-17th century adds a rare historical layer. The building’s closure marked the end of an era for Peterhead’s religious community. Its heritage, however, remains preserved in stone and memory. Visitors find a grand, solid structure on Maiden Street, its exterior unchanged since 1806. Inside, the high ceilings and simple furnishings reflect its original purpose. The Burgerhuys bell still hangs in place, silent but visible. The churchyard holds older gravestones, silent witnesses to past generations. The building stands as a quiet monument to Peterhead’s history.