6.3 Kilmartin Church
Kilmartin Glen is the site of more than 350 ancient monuments. These sites – which include 150 prehistoric monuments – lie within a six-mile radius of Kilmartin village.
Yet this area has also played an important role in Scotland’s early Christian heritage. Just 5 miles south of here at Dunadd, the kings of the Dál Riata had their stronghold. Colmcille is said to have visited the king not long after he had left Derry, perhaps to seek permission to build his monastery in Iona.
The graveyard of Kilmartin Church has a collection of 79 early Christian and medieval carved stones which can be found in the graveyard and a building by the side of the church. Two carved crosses are kept inside the church.
Kilmartin is Gaelic for ‘the church of (St) Martin’. Colmcille’s biographer, Adomnán, records that Colmcille’s monks paid particular devotion to St Martin. The library at Iona probably contained a copy of a 5th century Life of St Martin.
The earliest grave slab here dates from the 13th century but Christians were living and worshipping in this area long before that date.
Stones produced by the same group of sculptors have been found throughout the West Highlands and Argyll. The oldest of these were made on Iona by stonemasons who had come to the monastic settlement from Ireland. But they were not the only group of craftsmen and artists producing these stones. Among others, there was a group of sculptors working at Loch Awe in the late 14th-late 15th centuries, about 5 or 6 miles from here.
The two Kilmartin Crosses are kept in Kilmartin Church. The earlier cross dates from sometime around the 9th-10th century and the other is late medieval.
The grave slabs were laid on the ground and would have been used to mark the burial site of more than one generation of the same family. No names are recorded so it is not known who was buried under these slabs but they were probably from local ruling families.
There are decorative themes and patterns which reoccur on the stones. There are often warrior figures and weapons including long spears and swords. Mythological beasts or hunting animals are also carved into the stones. You can also see Celtic interlace patterns and symbols.
The stones are arranged in chronological order with the earliest on your left as you enter the room. Other collections of grave slabs can be found in Keills and Kilmory Knap, further south from here.
Argyll
- 6.1 Dunadd
In the 6th century Dunadd was the power base and main fort of the local rulers - the Dál Riata. This rocky outcrop stands high on the Moine Mhor Great Moss with the River Add weaving around its base. Colmcille is thought to have visited the king of the Dál Riata at...
- 6.2 Kilmartin House Museum
Kilmartin House Museum is housed in the former manse of Kilmartin Church at the centre of Kilmartin village. Kilmartin Glen has an extraordinarily rich collection of 350 ancient monuments, all found within a six-mile radius of the museum. The area has a strong early Christian history and is closely connected to the...
- 6.3 Kilmartin Church
Kilmartin Glen is the site of more than 350 ancient monuments. These sites - which include 150 prehistoric monuments - lie within a six-mile radius of Kilmartin village. Yet this area has also played an important role in Scotland’s early Christian heritage. Just 5 miles south of here at Dunadd, the...
- 6.4 Keills Chapel & Graveyard, Keillmore
Keills Chapel sits up on a peninsular stretching out along the west side of Loch Sween. It dates from the 13th century but it is thought that people began worshipping here in the 8th century. As with Kilmory Knap Chapel across Loch Sween, this chapel does not have a direct link to...
- 6.5 Kilmory Knap Chapel
The chapel of St Mary at Kilmory Knap is on the east side of Loch Sween. Kilmory means 'the Church of (St) Mary'. From here there are clear views across to the island of Islay and Jura. It was built in the first half of the 13th century and now houses...
- 6.6 Cholmcille’s Chapel & Cave, Ellary
This peaceful location on the shores of Loch Caolisport is said to be where Colmcille stopped for a few days on his journey north from Ireland in 563. He was seeking a meeting with the local king, Conall mac Comgall, whose chief fort was about 15 miles from here at Dunadd....
- 6.7 Southend
Southend is said to be Colmcille’s first landing place in Scotland. He left Derry on the north coast of Ireland in 563 with 12 companions and landed here before heading up the Argyll coast to meet the king of the Dál Riata. On a small mound to the west of...
Bòrd na Gàidhlig
Great Glen House
Leachkin Road
Inverness
Scotland, IV3 8NW
(+44) 01463 225454
colmcille@gaidhlig.scot
Colmcille
Foras na Gaeilge, 2-6 Queen Street
Belfast
Northern Ireland
BT1 6ED
(+44) 028 9089 0970
colmcille@forasnagaeilge.ie
Colmcille
Foras na Gaeilge, An Chrannóg
Na Doirí Beaga
Gaoth Dobhair
Donegal, Ireland. F92 EYT3
(+353) 074 9560113
colmcille@forasnagaeilge.ie