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Latitude: 56.9542 / 56°57'14"N
Longitude: -5.0275 / 5°1'38"W
OS Eastings: 215987
OS Northings: 788847
OS Grid: NN159888
Mapcode National: GBR FBYB.RVM
Mapcode Global: WH1F6.RG4Q
Entry Name: Eilean Loch Airceig,crannog and chapel
Scheduled Date: 6 February 1995
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Source ID: SM6154
Schedule Class: Cultural
Category: Ecclesiastical: chapel; Prehistoric domestic and defensive: crannog
Location: Kilmallie
County: Highland
Electoral Ward: Caol and Mallaig
Traditional County: Inverness-shire
The monument consists of a prehistoric crannog situated near the head of Loch Arkaig which has been used as the site for a medieval and post-medieval chapel and burial ground.
The W end of the island is solid rock but the S side has been enlarged with rubble. Around the edges of the crannog are traces of vitrified material which may indicate that the crannog was burnt at one stage, or that it had a stone wall around its edge which has subsequently been destroyed by fire. The remains of St Columba's chapel stand at the N edge of the island on the highest point. The chapel is orientated E-W and measures 11m by 4.9m within a wall of mortared rubble masonry 0.8m thick. The E and W walls have largely collapsed and the maximum surviving height of the masonry is about 1.8m. There are remains of a doorway at the W end of the S wall and a window to the E of this door. Traces of a wall defining a graveyard were recorded in 1961, but these have been covered by vegetation. There are several grave slabs within the chapel. The date of construction of the chapel is uncertain, but it was in use in the seventeenth century.
The area to be scheduled is irregular and measures 80m N-S by 70m E-W, to include the crannog, chapel and burial ground, and an area of the loch bed around them, in which evidence relating to their construction and use may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map extract.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
The monument is of national importance for its potential to contribute to an understanding of the construction of prehistoric crannogs and the domestic life of their occupants. Waterlogged crannogs preserve important information for the environment, economy and material culture of their occupants. The chapel and burial ground have the potential to contribute to an understanding of the architecture of medieval and later religious buildings and the religious practices of those who worshipped on the island.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Bibliography
RCAHMS records the monument as NN18NE 1.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
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