Historic Kilbride Bell Forging Ceremony

On Saturday, 28thAugust a specialised team will forge a replica of the eighteenth century bell from Kilbride Kirk in an outdoor furnace. The event will be a demonstration of this ancient craft, with a full explanation and commentary of the processes involved.

The original bell (from which the cast will be taken) will be piped down the old Drove road from Cologin at 14:30 to Historic Kilbride, where it will be given a ceremonial welcome. Parking at Kilbride will be limited to those of limited mobility (the furnace will be situated in the usual car park), and those wishing to attend are advised to park at Cologin, and to reserve a table for refreshments beforehand at the Barn Bar (01631 564618 or  barnbar2019@gmail.com).

There will be no charge for the event itself (though donations to Friends of Kilbride will be encouraged), and there will be opportunities to tour the ruined Kirk, churchyard and MacDougall Memorial Burial Aisle after the event, and to see the extent of the recent renovations which have been undertaken by Michael Hogg (stonemason) with the supervision of Shauna Cameron (architect) and Clare Ellis (archaeologist).

Friends of Kilbride are grateful to Clan MacDougall for their loan of the bell, and to Tesco and to Historic Environment Scotland for their financial support which has made this unique event possible.