The front cover says it all!

Ancient Kirkmichael, on its beautiful site beside Udale bay, had been abandoned and falling into ruin for generations when Kirkmichael trust was formed by the local community in 2002. The plan was to rescue the dilapidated building. This was finally achieved in 2016, with complete renovation of the by-then almost collapsed little church.

In the book we discover that earliest records of Kirkmichael date from around 1429, but suggest that it had existed for some time then. In fact it ceased to be used for worship as early as 1769, when Kirkmichael and Cullicudden were united to form Resolis parish with a new church at Resolis. After several years of decline, the nave was reduced in length and repurposed by George Gun Munro of Poyntzfield as a family mausoleum. The chancel seems to have formed the mausoleum of the Urquhart family of Braelangwell from soon after the reformation.  

There are other spectacular Mausolea in the graveyard, and many beautiful pre and post reformation grave stones. Many of the stones have had to be recovered for preservation but the book includes detailed descriptions and photographs. Some of the beautiful stones have been relocated inside the building, along with others of national importance from nearby Cullicudden, and two modern recreations.

The book is much more than documentation of the fabric of the Kirk and graveyard. The people commemorated on the memorials have been brought to life, with excerpts from letters and documents from their time. Obviously fancy memorials indicate the wealthy people, but there is also insight into the lives of more ordinary people. The account of the Resolis riot for example is fascinating.

Inserted throughout the book are poems and short stories by local school children; very imaginative and usually spooky! Stories by Hugh Miller, 19th century stonemason, geologist and writer are included too. He was familiar with Kirkmichael, and has the final word!