Hillside Free Church (Former), Baltasound

Part of a group comprising substantial remains of former classical Free Church dated 1843, linked by formal arrangement of walls to contemporary symmetrical 2-storey 3-bay former manse with outbuildings to NW. 3 x 3 bay hall church of rectangular plan with vestry wing projecting to N. Base course, margined windows with projecting cills. Harled rubble walls with droved sandstone ashlar dressings and margins.

Hillside Church was last used in 1959, and the roof was removed in the early 1960s. The design of the church clearly matches that of Uyeasound Kirk, with the exception of the bellcote.(Historic Scotland)

1959: The church becomes disused. August 2000: External inspection reveals the church to be roofless, and the manse derelict. The wallhead of the church has not been consolidated. The manse has several slates missing, and windows remain open. There is evidence that wind and water are entering the interior and floors are collapsing. June 2006: External inspection reveals little change, the wall head is showing signs of deterioration and vegetation growth.

March 2010: External inspection finds the building remains a ruinous shell. Wallheads are unsecured and plant growth is loosening upper level masonry.

6 June 2014: A member of the public advises they rented the associated manse 1962-3 at which point the church remained roofed.

26 June 2014: External inspection finds the building remains in much the same condition as seen previously.