About Us

Protecting Scotland’s Church Heritage

Across Scotland, around 800 churches are at risk of closure, with nearly 200 already closed since 2020. These buildings hold centuries of worship, community memory, artistry and cultural heritage. Many of these churches are architecturally important, some are venerable places of worship, whilst others are home to important collections; almost all of them are centres of significant intangible cultural heritage.

The Project

Research in Action on Scotland’s Church Heritage (ReACH) is a two-year initiative led by Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and Scotland’s Churches Trust. With support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Pilgrim Trust, we are working to:

  • Record at-risk church buildings and their heritage value.
  • Explore the community and social value of churches.
  • Support local people and organisations as they care for these places in times of change.

Our team – Dr Lizzie Swarbrick (Research Manager) and Dr Emily Johnston (Community Officer) are carrying out heritage surveys and working with communities to build a fuller picture of Scotland’s church heritage.

What We’re Creating

  • ReACH Database: A searchable resource bringing together information and images of Scotland’s at-risk churches.
  • ReACH Action Group: A network of people and organisations collaborating on practical solutions, sharing resources, and identifying priority sites for action.

Get Involved

With Thanks

This project is made possible through the generous support of our funders and the contributions of communities across Scotland.