Talk:Cromartyshire/Ross-shire Towns and Villages A
Avoch
A medieval site and home to two church buildings prior to the current Avoch Parish Church means a wealth of history and stories associated with the site. The current building dates to 1870, aligned East-West unlike the earlier buildings (the latter built in 1670) which were both on a North-South orientation. The two earlier buildings both sucumbed to fire and it has been suggested that the change in direction may grant more favourable fortune.
Stained glass throughout the church is to a very high standard and is attributed to Barnett of Newcastle. Within the vestry the Sacrament House is a reminder of days gone by, whether a remnant of the 1670 church, the first Avoch Church or a chapel associated to the first church is unknown. Another rumour surrounds the bell, the story suggests that, after Cromwell's men desecrated Fortrose Cathedral the bells were put on the deck of a ship for shipment. The ship ran into poor weather enroute and the bells were lost overboard. A bell found in the net of a fisherman is allegedly one of the bells and installed within the belfry.
