Highland Parish Church, Campbeltown

A Gaelic Church was built in 1642 at the south-east end of Kirk Street. By the early 19th century it was decided to replace it with a new building, and the congregation built Highland Parish Church between 1803 and 1808 at a cost of £2,395 (equivalent to £235,900 in 2023).^[3] The architect was George Dempster of Greenock and the superintendent for building was Robert Watt of Glasgow.

During construction the design of the steeple was changed, which resulted in the partial collapse of the building. On 18 November 1830^[4] the steeple was struck by lightening. Damage was estimated at £300. It was rebuilt again in 1833 by John Baird of Glasgow. It was struck again by lightening on 19 December 1884^[5] when 30 to 40 ft of the steeple was demolished and rebuilt in 1885.^[6]

A substantial renovation of the building was undertaken in 1924. The walls of the church were strapped and plastered, and the ceiling panelled with broad bands. The old gallery seating and flooring was cleared out, new flooring laid, and the seating rearranged and modernised. The two windows either side of the pulpit were replaced with new leaded glass. Two sunlights were installed in the ceiling, and the gas lighting was improved. The building was re-painted, the woodwork stained, and the passages laid with cork carpet.^[7]