The historic Bankhead Church in Midmar, near Echt in rural Aberdeenshire has closed it doors on its congregation for the last time and is now up for sale after 170 years of weddings, baptisms and funerals.

The Church has gone up for sale under the measly asking price of £60,000. Under previous legislation, the church would be returned to its feudal landlords, leaving the church with nothing but its contents. New legislation means, however, that the church will reap the full benefit of the selling price.

Dr Kenneth Bentley, the Church’s Session Clerk, expressed his regret at the sale of the church: “I think it’s always sad to see a building cease as a church when it has been a pivotal part of a community over many years.”

He continued: “There were people married here, baptised here and funeral services were held here... This has therefore been a feature of the community for a long time and although the community itself has declined in numbers, the church still ought to be going on in some way.”

The sale of the B-listed building includes all the internal fittings, including the pulpit, pews and two harmonica organs. Sadly for the new owners, the price tag does not include planning permission or links to electricity, water or drainage.

Church members hope that the church will become a nice family home.