AN historic Scottish church with a 4000-year-old stone circle in its grounds has been put up for sale.
The B-listed Midmar Church, in Aberdeenshire, has been put on the market for offers over £50,000.
Although the property is “co-located” with the ancient Midmar Stone Circle, only the church is on offer.
Historic Environment Scotland’s Canmore service reports: “The recumbent stone circle at Midmar Kirk probably dates from the Bronze Age and consists of eight stones making up an incomplete ring measuring 17m in diameter.
“The recumbent stone on the south west side is flanked by two pillar stones, the tallest pair in the ring.
“Midmar Kirk was deliberately built in close proximity to the circle, the result of an 18th century belief that the monument was a Druid religious structure.”
The existing church building was constructed in 1787 and sits around 2.5 miles from the village of Echt.
It is being put on the market by the Church of Scotland after its congregation joined Echt Parish Church to form part of Bennachie Parish, according to the Scotsman.
A spokesperson for the church said: "The stone circle – which was apparently built to reflect the lunar rather than solar cycle – is in the care of Historic Scotland and the Church of Scotland.
"Any new owner of the church building will have no locus over the circle but they will have a very interesting neighbour."
They went on: "Potential buyers will have the opportunity to buy a very attractive B-listed church building with views across the Aberdeenshire countryside, and in an atmospheric location with a unique religious heritage which dates back millennia.
"The church is still being used in the meantime. It holds services on the first Sunday of each month and is available for other services such as weddings and funerals."
The brochure for the sale says the church totals some 218 square metres of interior space.
It further states: “The property comprises of the main church which has both an entrance and a main hall along with a WC, kitchen, organ and the mezzanine, which has a play room and office area.”
The sale is part of a wider downsizing from the Church of Scotland amid shrinking incomes and congregations.
Under a five-year plan, surplus and unsuitable buildings are being put on the market.
Other churches for sale on the organisation's website include Dunrossness Church in Shetland and Ardchattan Church in Argyll.
