02/09/2026
A Wee Bit Oโ a Quirky Kirk (and a Secret Underneath!) in Montrose โช๏ธ๐
The Auld Kirk, the "Ba Hoose", and the High Streetโฆ now thereโs a corner of Montrose with a LOT of secrets to tell!
Dominating Scotland's widest High Street, the Auld Kirk has stood for centuries. While the main Montrose Old & St Andrews building was dedicated in 1793, that magnificent, soaring 220ft steeple designed by James Gillespie Graham followed in 1834. Now Montrose Trinity Church of Scotland....,
Right beside it sits the grand Neoclassical Town Houseโlocally known as the "Ba Hoose" (Ballhouse). Originally completed in 1764, its upper storeys were added around 1818 to give Montrose society a smart, glamorous place to hold their grand evening balls! ๐๐บ
But hereโs where the history gets beautifully quirky... ๐ฎ
When builders dug down to lay the heavy foundation for the massive new steeple in 1832, they had quite a shock. They discovered the site was sitting directly over an ancient, packed kirkyard! They had to excavate down through three deep layers of old burials to finally hit solid sea-sand and secure the steeple. Even the Town House itself was extended back directly over the old family vaults
So next time youโre wandering the High Street, take a wee look up at the clockโฆ and maybe a wee think down! ๐บ๏ธ
Youโre walking right through centuries of Montrose historyโkirks, councils, merchants, markets, glittering balls, and
silent burials.
Auld buildings.
Auld stories.
Auld memories
Right here,
in,
Bonnie Montrose ๐
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