Kilchoman Cross, Kilchoman Old Parish Church. View of pestle at base of West Highland Cross.
AG 629
Description Kilchoman Cross, Kilchoman Old Parish Church. View of pestle at base of West Highland Cross.
Date 1965
Catalogue Number AG 629
Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images
Copies SC 416799
Scope and Content View of pestle at base of West Highland Cross, Kilchoman Church, Islay This cross, in the churchyard of Kilchoman Church, is a fine example of the Iona school of carving, dating from the 14th-15th century. The inscription states it was set up by Thomas, a doctor, for his father, mother, wife and 'all the faithful departed'. The decoration consists of many motifs typical of the Iona carvers, such as the foliage decoration and armed man on a rearing charger on the shaft. Some designs are more unusual, including the complicated pattern of plain interfacing on the west face. The socket-stone, in which the cross sits, has four depressions of varying depths at the corners. Tradition has it that expectant mothers would grind out such hollows with a pear-shaped pestle, in order to try and secure male offspring. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.
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