Description

The monument consists of the roofless remains of a chapel, standing within a burial ground which still receives burials.

The chapel measures 8.8m E-W by 5.8m N-S over walls 0.7m thick. There is the head of a mullioned 2-light window in the E wall and there are remains of 2 further mullioned 2-light windows in the S wall, flanking the lower courses of a doorway. The E and W gables remain substantially complete (the W gable even retaining most of its skew stones), as does the N wall, but much of the S wall is reduced to approximately the level of the window sills. The position of the door, centrally within the S wall, may date to the post-Reformation period, although this may not be the original arrangement and the E wall appears to show several different phases of work. The windows seem to have had a double chamfer moulding separated by a rebate and an internal check for glazing. The walls are rubble built bonded in shell mortar, with red sandstone dressings.

The chapel is traditionally said to have been erected by St Columba or one of his followers, although the character of the building suggests a late medieval date for the existing structure. A church building is said to have been erected about 1713 by George MacKenzie of Gruinard, but in reality it is likely that work was limited to repairs and re-thatching. The chapel seems to have remained in use for worship until at least the end of the 18th century, and was in use for burials by 1834, the earliest decipherable date on any of the gravestones within the walls.

The burial ground has been substantially enlarged on all sides and remains in use. To the W of the chapel denuded remains of a segment of a probably circular ditch with a double bank can be traced.

The area to be scheduled extends approximately 4m out from the walls of the chapel and measures 17m E-W by 14m N-S, as shown in red on the accompanying map, and includes the chapel and part of the burial ground.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography
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Source: Historic Environment Scotland