Description

The monument consists of the remains of a late medieval church and its burial ground situated immediately to the SW of Keil House.

The earliest reference to this church occurs in 1354 when the lands of the churches of Durobwar (Duror) and Glencown (Glencoe) were quit- claimed by John of Lorn to John of Islay. The church, dedicated to St Columba, appears to have fallen out of use at some time after 1630 when a topographical account suggests that the church was still in

use.

The rectangular-plan church measures 12.4m E-W by 5.5m N-S

within walls 0.8-0.9m in thickness. The original masonry is composed of random-coursed local rubble masonry well bonded with pinnings, the quoins and margins being formed of shaped blocks and slabs of the same material. The walls stand almost to their full height but much of the visible masonry is the result of modern repairs. Most patching has occurred in the gable heads and the N and S walls.

The present opening in the W end of the N wall is likely to occupy the position of the original entrance. An upper level, square-headed window pierces the W gable and two opposed slab-lintelled windows survive in the E end. Both gables are intaken internally above wall-head level. There are two small aumbries in the E end of the building.

Opposed socket holes in the N and S walls appear to have held a beam running across the interior of the E gable.

The area to be scheduled is that enclosed by the cemetry wall, but excluding that wall itself, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because it is an ecclesiastical building, although much repaired, retaining original features characteristic of a large group of parish churches built throughout Scotland during the medieval period. In addition it is likely to overlie an earlier building documented in the twelfth century. As such, the building provides evidence and is likely to be able to provide evidence, through a combination of historical research and excavation, for religious architecture, parish evolution, and material culture in Scotland.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NM 95 SE 2.

References:

RCAHMS 1975, Inventory Lorn, No. 250, 139.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland