Balmaghie Kirk, located in the parish of Balmaghie in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, is a historic church situated on an elevated position above the River Dee where there has been a religious settlement for over a thousand years. The original Church was one of those bestowed by Fergus, Lord of Galloway, and was dedicated to Saint Andrew. Balmakethe was the original name of the Parish, but the subsequent name was taken from the principal landowners, the McGhies. Constructed in 1794, it has been a significant landmark in the region for centuries.
In June 2015 the Kirk was closed by The Church of Scotland despite local opposition and the fact that it lies in a working cemetery. Thanks to the efforts of Kevin Robb, an Australian whose relations came from the area and who set up an online petition which stopped the application for planning permission to turn this beautiful holy place into a house. In 2018 Balmaghie Sacred Landscape Trust acquired the Kirk which has allowed the kirk to continue to be used by the community for weddings, funerals, christenings and a large variety of events each year. Its picturesque setting and historical ambiance make it an appealing venue for such occasions.
