Two churches run by the Church of the Scotland in the Parish of Uist and Barra are to close. The churches are Daliburgh, South Uist, and Griminish in Benbecula.

The news was revealed in a statement put out by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar on behalf of Uist and Barra Church of Scotland.

The Kirk Session took the “tough but necessary decision” to cut the number of active parish buildings due to a lack of resources.

Parish Interim moderator Reverend Ann Inglis has appealing for understanding.

The parish of Uist and Barra was formed at the beginning of 2025 from the union of the former parishes of Barra, South Uist, Benbecula and Carinish in North Uist.

The new parish inherited five active church buildings at Cuidhir in Barra, at Daliburgh and Howmore in South Uist, at Griminish in Benbecula, and at Clachan in North Uist.

During 2025 all of the buildings in the parish were surveyed and recommendations for their upkeep were identified.

In the statement, the church said: “Following careful study of these recommendations it became clear that the financial and human resources needed to keep all of the buildings in active use simply do not exist.

“After considering various options the Kirk Session decided that the five active church buildings should be reduced to three: at Cuidhir, Howmore and Clachan.”

Pending the appointment of a full time minister, Reverend Ann Inglis has been acting as the minister for the parish in the role of Interim Moderator since March 2025.

A new minister, Reverend Sigrid Marten, will be inducted to the Uist and Barra parish on Saturday 14 November.

Rev Inglis will be returning to her home in Queensferry.

Rev Inglis said: “The Kirk Session has made a tough but necessary decision to reduce the number of active buildings in the parish. In the face of increasing maintenance and running costs, it would have been irresponsible to keep all of the buildings active when there aren’t the resources to do so.

“I and the Kirk Session know that closure of the churches at Daliburgh and Griminish will be distressing to many who have fond memories and deep-rooted attachments to these buildings.

“We ask for their understanding, and we will be looking for ways in which we can conduct worship in the Daliburgh and Benbecula areas as well as in the buildings retained in active use. What is clear is that we cannot carry on having the Kirk Session and the congregation forever worrying about maintaining buildings when the focus needs to be on encouraging faith, worship and sharing the love of God.”

The arrival of Rev Sigrid Marten will “mark another new page”, said Rev Inglis.

She added: “I know that Sigrid is looking forward to becoming a part of the life of the congregation and the local community. I will be returning to my home in Queensferry but a part of me will always be in Uist and Barra and, if my experience is anything to go by, I know that Sigrid will be made very welcome.

“It has been a huge privilege as well as pleasure to serve in the Parish of Uist and Barra. Thank you to everyone who has made my stay so rewarding and I pray for God’s good blessing on the people of Uist and Barra in the coming days.”