The Manse
The Manse, on the Port Appin road, lies about 1 mile from the Church in one direction and the same from Port Appin.
The building has beautiful views over Loch Linnhe and onto the Morven hills.
It is a 19th century stone built house with three public rooms, 4 bedrooms, Kitchen, bathroom and downstairs toilet and shower.
It has oil fired central heating with good loft insulation and is roofed with natural slate.
The grounds extend to approximately one acre and has been kept in a mainly natural state with minimum formal borders and grass.
The District
The Parish consists of two main villages, Appin and Port Appin. Strath of Appin Primary School is situated near the Junction of the A828 and the Port Appin road at Tynribbie.
There are presently 27 children in primary school, including the Gaelic Medium class and seven in Pre 5’s.
About 15 pupils travel to Oban High School, a journey of 35 minutes by bus.
There is a new village shop and Post Office(above) and a Health Centre, with two General Practitioners, in Port Appin.
The Pier House Hotel is at the head of Port Appin pier, the pedestrian/bike crossing for the Isle of Lismore. The ferry runs hourly, taking about 5 – 10 minutes.
The vehicle ferry to Lismore sails from Oban.
In days gone by, the pier was visited regularly by the Paddle Steamers, en route from Inverness to Glasgow via the Caledonian and Crinan Canals.
The main occupation in this most scenic rural area, apart from fishing, are in the tourist and service industry, also fish farming and Glensanda Quarry in Morven.
There are also commuters to Oban and Fort William.
Organisations
A flourishing Guild meets monthly from October to April, attendance averaging about 22.
This is a vibrant community with many varied activities particularly during the winter months, such as Amateur Dramatics, Country Dancing, Art, Gaelic and Historical Societies. Also Football and Karate, both for juniors and seniors. An agriculture club organize the annual show.
There is a strong S.W.R.I, a Mother and Toddler group and over 60’s Lunch Club and regular ceilidhs take place in the Appin Village Hall and Port Appin Hall.
Lismore Parish Profile
The Island
Lismore is a low green island, approximately twelve miles long and a mile wide, set in Loch Linnhe and ringed by the lands of Morvern, Mull, Benderloch and Appin. Composed almost entirely of limestone, the island is very fertile hence the excellent cattle and sheep produced here. It’s gaelic name ,‘Liosmor’ means ‘great garden’ and there are a great variety of plants. These together with the low-lying but varied landscape, and the magnificent views of the mainland mountains on either side, attract many walkers and cyclists.
Though dependent on ferries, Lismore is easily accessible. The passenger ferry at the north end, links us with Appin and crosses almost every hour taking only about five minutes.
A car ferry from Oban to Achnacroish provides a vehicular access to the island and takes forty-five minutes.
The Church
The island’s association with Christianity dates back to the 6th Century when St. Moluag first arrived here and founded a monastic centre. His Staff is still kept on the island, at Bachuil, by its hereditary keeper. Our Church dates from the 14th Century when it was the choir of the cathedral of the medieval diocese of Argyll. It has been lovingly and frequently restored since then.
Sunday Worship is at 12.30, as our minister crosses on the 12 o’clock ferry and uses the car provided by the Parishioners of Lismore to take him/her to church. At present there are eight elders, fifty-five members and twelve adherents. The average attendance is about thirty-three, swelled at holiday times by visitors and old friends.
There is a small but effective Church Guild who contribute in many ways to the welfare of the Church. Annual events like the Sale of Work and our Coffee Day help to keep Church Funds healthy.
There are eight children in Sunday School with one teacher and many helpers when needed. They meet in the Church and then retire to the ‘Wee Manse’ for the rest of their time.
The ‘Wee Manse’ is officially known as St. Moluag’s Church House and is situated just across the road from the Church., a comfortable, modern bungalow providing accommodation for the minister if she/he has occasion to stay overnight with room for a variety of Church meetings and occasions. It comprises sitting room, two bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom, with additional toilet attached to the large room reserved for Church meetings and organisations.
The Community
The population of the island is about 176 of whom one quarter speak Gaelic. There is a mixture of people born on the island and new inhabitants with the resulting wide range of skills and interests (not to mention the age range) that this engenders.
Farming is the main occupation. There are some fishermen and a significant number of people now commute to the mainland for work including a few who work in Glensanda Quarry.
In general, Lismore, though an island has never been an isolated place, and the island community has always been open to the world. In many ways this finger of land, pointing up the Great Glen from the sound of Mull, has been thought and spoken of as
‘Central’. It’s long and peaceful history is a source of interest and pride to those who live here, always willing over 1500 yrs. of Christianity to share what they profoundly value and enjoy.
The Historical Society has recently opened ‘Ionad Naomh Moluag’ consisting of a Heritage Museum, Library, Craft Shop and Restaurant. This imaginatively designed wooden structure is beside the restored crofthouse. It is confidently expected to become a centre of Celtic and associated studies not only for islanders but for visitors from all over the world.
Other island pastimes include country dancing, badminton, bowls, art classes and bridge most of which take place in our island Hall.
Lismore has a very good website (www.isleoflismore.com) Click here for the Lismore Web Site
We have a well stocked shop with Post Office which is the unofficial meeting place of the island. We have a Community Minibus and a ‘Granny Bus’ both of which can be used on and off the island and are a great asset.
The island school has at present 11 children in the Primary classes and a further three children in the Pre 5 unit. We have one Head teacher (who is retiring in June) and a part time teacher. There are ten children who attend Oban High School during the week and return home on a Friday night for the weekend.
We have a highly efficient and dedicated Nurse/Practitioner on the island and our doctors come over from Appin twice a week and whenever required.
The Church is in the centre of the Parish on the main Oban to Ballachulish road (A828). The town of Oban is 20 miles south and Fort William is 25 mile north.Appin lies in the shores of Loch Linnhe, extending also to the sea inlets of Loch Laich and Loch Creran. 
Like Appin its self, Castle Stalker is steeped in history and has become one of the most photographed castles in Scotland.
Appin Parish Church was built in 1889 and seats in the region of 200. The building is in good order and is well maintained. The Session House come Vestry was renovated in 1994.
Brief history: