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St Colm, Covenanters and Confessions

Name: St Colm, Covenanters and Confessions
Start: 2026-06-18T14:15:00+01:00
End: 2026-06-18T16:15:00+01:00
Location: NTS Car Park – Auldearn

Thu, 18 June 2026 @ 14:15 - 16:15

Join NTS Brodie Castle and Estate volunteers and staff, also our guest, artist/writer Helen Wright, long-standing resident and creator of the Gowdie mural, as we explore historic Auldearn.

A stroll around historic Auldearn: Rather than following a time-line, we’ll dip in and out of various events from the long history of the village, once briefly of higher status than neighbour Nairn; also link back wherever possible to Clan Brodie.

Scottish kings, a Royal castle and rebellion; a key battle of the religious civil war between Covenanters and Royalists, and its aftermath; the coming of St Colm (St Colomba) and Christianity to Northern Pictland; and the confessions of Isobel Gowdie, that provide one of the most comprehensive insights into European witchcraft.

‘Auld (old) Eren’ has many gripping tales to tell.

Brodie Castle and Estate is part of the National Trust for Scotland. The Boath Doocot at Auldearn is also part of their collection of over 100 places across Scotland which the Trust takes care of to protect and preserve for future generations.

Brodie Castle and Estate volunteers: walk ‘producer’, Gordon Scott, and experienced guide, Gareth Nicholas
Brodie Castle and Estate staff will also be in attendance.

Event Details

Date:: Thu, 18 June 2026
Time:: 14:15 - 16:15
Cost:: £16.00
Distance:: 1 miles / 1.6 km
Grade:: Easy Plus (info)
Leader:: Gordon Scott, on behalf of Brodie Castle and Estate (NTS staff in attendance)
Dogs:: Sorry, dogs are not allowed
Category:: Easy +, Heritage, Walk

Although by-passed, a fair amount of traffic comes through the village, creating both background noise and the need to watch out. The walk is mostly on pavement, but take particular care, please, where this narrows, and when crossing the main road, keeping together to be able to hear and follow your guide’s instructions.
Also take care when we explore the ruined Parish church and monuments.
There is a short, moderately steep climb on a rough, occasionally muddy grass track up to and round Boath/Castle/Doocot hill.
Walking shoes or boots and rain gear are essential.

Moray Walking and Outdoor Festival supports local businesses.
We would like to invite walkers to join us afterwards, for a blether and (at their own expense) something to eat and drink. Sadly, with the 1645 Inn for sale, Boath House perhaps closed again, and the hospitality sector in general suffering a perfect storm, we are currently unable to do so, but…watch this space.

Please note the walk is not included in the NTS membership offer.

Organiser

Organiser:: Brodie Castle and Estate NTS
Phone:: 01309 641700
Email:: lleil@nts.org.uk
Website:: View Organiser Website

Venue / Start

NTS Car Park – Auldearn

Boath Hill
Auldearn,MorayIV12 5TDUnited Kingdom

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By car, leave the A96 on to the Auldearn road. The location is at the west entrance of the village, and sign-posted from both directions. Take the track north (opposite the Cawdor road) some 100 metres to the car park, our starting point.

Moray Walking and Outdoor Festival and NTS encourage use of public transport. Please consult Ember 7 and Stagecoach 10 bus schedules nearer the date.

There is a walking and wheeling path from Nairn.