Skip to main content
Contact

The Chapel of Saint Lesmo

- A place to sit, a place to pray

The Chapel of Saint Lesmo stands on the site of a drovers’ inn, previously a ‘fermtoon’.

The Chapel is registered as an independent Episcopal Chapel, and an active venue for religious services. 

We welcome enquiries from individuals, couples, families and groups looking for a venue for services such as weddings, christenings or remembrance.  We can also provide guided tours of the chapel to visitors and groups.

If you require any further information or to discuss available dates then please do not hesitate to contact us

History

Sir William Cunliffe Brooks built the Chapel of St Lesmo in 1872, from the ruins of the former House of Braeloine. Several features of the House were included in the design of the Chapel, including the arched entrance. with iron fittings.

The Chapel was constructed with a thatched roof and stained-glass windows, and the spaces between the stones of the walls are built are dotted with small pebbles (a technique known locally as "cherry-cocking").

Inside, the rafters are fashioned from whole trees and the joists are made from curiously twisted branches of locally grown Scots Pine. The altar steps are of Glen Tanar granite, a soft but rich coloured granite, as is the floor of the passage. Originally deer antlers were hung from the roof. The seats have deerskin coverings.

A bell, which was cast to order, hangs outside the Chapel and bears the inscription of "St Lesmo". He is said to be, a Holy Hermit who lived in Glen Tanar over 1,000 years ago and after whom the Chapel is named.

The Chapel was consecrated on 15 November 1871 by the Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney.

Chapel interior

Improvements and alterations to the Chapel have been made over the years, including the replacement of the thatched roof with old slates from another building. A new organ was installed in 1997. 

The Chapel has been supported for more than a hundred years by the families in residence, with three generations of Coats’ and now the Bruce family acting as Trustees.

The Chapel has been used for family events and many of the family rest here now. It was through the interest and generosity of the late Hon Mrs Jean Bruce, nee Coats, who was born in Glen Tanar that the chapel remains consecrated and  registered as an independent Episcopal Chapel.

The Chapel is available for select private religious ceremonies.  To make an enquiry, please contact us.

Glen Tanar Charitable Trust
c/o Brooks House
Glen Tanar
Aboyne
Aberdeenshire
AB34 5EU