The Diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness covers Caithness and Sutherland (the old Diocese of Caithness), mainland Ross and Cromarty (the old Diocese of Ross), and mainland Inverness-shire, Nairnshire, Moray and Banffshire (the old Diocese of Moray). Despite their scattered distribution throughout such a vast territory the diocese's congregations maintain a great sense of togetherness.
The diocesan centre is the Cathedral Church of St Andrew, Inverness. The Diocese's Bishop is the Right Reverend Mark Strange, who was consecrated on 13 October 2007.
The three old dioceses united in the modern diocese were all founded during the 12th century. Moray was founded by Bishop Gregory in 1114, Ross by Bishop Macbeth in 1131 and Caithness by Bishop Andrew in 1146.
Being more removed from the centre of political power during the Scottish Reformation, each of the dioceses managed to continue an unbroken line of bishops. However, their remoteness also caused problems for the appointment of new bishops under the period of the penal laws. For part of the 17th century, both Ross and Caithness were without a bishop, and, at the beginning of the 18th century, the Diocese of Orkney was united with Caithness.
In 1707, Alexander Rose, Bishop of Edinburgh and the first Primus, united Moray with his diocese for reason of practical oversight. John Fullarton, Rose's successor in both roles, continued to oversee Moray until 1725, when it was felt more practical to combine it with the Diocese of Aberdeen, led by James Gadderar. However, in 1727, the new Primus, Andrew Lumsden, appointed William Dunbar as sole Bishop of Moray and Ross, combining the vacant northern see with Moray.
In 1777, William Falconar, also Primus, united Orkney, Moray, Ross and Caithness under his rule. In 1819, David Low was appointed Bishop of Ross by itself, but, from 1838 he administered the entire former union and the see officially returned to the union in 1851. In 1857, Orkney was separated to unite with the Diocese of Aberdeen.
Diocesan office
Contact the diocesan office at:
Diocesan Office
St Duthac Centre
St John's Arpafeelie
IV1 3XD
01463 811333
More information
Links to more information about the Diocese:
- The United Diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness website »
- For more information about the Diocese, and its latest news and events, please visit the Diocesan website.
- SEC Church Directory »
- List and get contact details for all churches within the diocese using our online Church Directory.
