Discover a Story of Faith, Hope and Love

These three words are also a testament to the incredible life and legacy of Christian missionary the Reverend Dr John Ross (中文: 罗约翰; 한글: 존로스). Born in the small village of Easter Rarichie, a part of the Seaboard Villages, on the Easter Ross Peninsula in 1842, John Ross is renowned for his missionary work in Northeast China and as the Father of the Korean Bible. A native Gaelic speaker, Ross would master 11 languages in his lifetime all through which he would carry his great passion for the church to local communities around the world. On top of being a theologist and linguist, during his lifetime Ross also thrived as a gifted historian, author and botanist with a clear thirst for knowledge of the world he lived in.

While Ross retired and returned to Scotland in 1910 and passed away in 1915, his legacy is as strong as ever. In May 2022, in the heart of the Seaboard Villages, the John Ross Visitor Centre opened its doors to the public. Fittingly housed in a former Free Presbyterian Church between Hilton and Balintore, the centre boasts a beautiful exhibition space with artefacts which bring the community history of Easter Ross, China and Korea to life. Around the centre, it’s hard not to be stirred by the unwavering strength of the connections between the communities, banded together through faith, hope and love and the lasting legacy of one man who lived and died over a century ago.

On your visit, take your time to discover the extraordinary story of John Ross for yourself, be inspired by the wonderful Abraham Park Library, take a walk along Balintore’s stunning coastline and savour the flavours of the Easter Ross Peninsula at the fantastic Seaboard Centre.