Description

The monument consists of the remains of the early medieval parish church of Killarow and its surrounding quadrilateral burial ground.

The fragmentary remains of the church, dedicated to St Maelrubha (Cill-a-Rubha is a contracted form of the dedication), are situated in the NW angle of the graveyard where the present N wall may incorporate traces of original masonry. The wall has been heightened and there is a rebate at 1.3m above ground level along much of the N wall. All that survives of the chapel is a small portion of bonded walling projecting 1.3m S from the N wall, 3.6m from the NW angle. This fragment is 0.75m thick and 0.6m high. The burial ground contains twentythree tombstones of 14th to 16th century date, several exhibiting effigies, figurative and interlaced designs. The earlier examples lie in the E portion of the cemetry. There are seventeen or more 18th-century grave-stones, some of which bear sculpture of high quality.

The area to be scheduled is a quadrilateral measuring a maximum of 70m NW-SE by 30m, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as it is an early medieval chapel originally patronised by the lords of the Isles. Although the upstanding remains are fragmentary they are considered to be worthy of preservation because of the likely existence of below ground archaeology. The chapel remains and the burial ground have the potential to yield information relating to ecclesiastical architecture, medieval and later mortuary sculpture and material culture.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NR 36 SW 5.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland