Archaeology Notes

Event ID 687786

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/687786

NO39NW 1 3011 9620.

(NO 300 962) The church or chapel of St. Manire (or Chapel Mayore, according to Alexander), who flourished in the 6th century, stood on a knoll between Lebhal (Lavell: NO 299 963) and Rhynabaich, surrounded by a burial ground used within living memory for unbaptised children. There is a probably prehistoric standing stone at its west end which McConnachie says was used as a reading desk for the chapel and was said to be the remains of a stone circle. Keith, writing about 1732, mentions, "The Chappel of the Hermites, at Miacras or Micras" as being extant. The Allt Eaglais runs close to its site and the hill behind it called Creag Eaglais.

Spalding Club 1847-69; A I McConnachie 1898; J Stirton 1925; W M Alexander 1952.

At NO 3011 9620 a level has been scooped out of the top of a natural knoll and surrounded by a wall, which is now tumbled and turf covered, to form the burial ground referred to. No trace of a chapel or of gravestones exist within the enclosure. No further information regarding dedication.

Incorporated in the enclosure wall at NO 3010 9619 is a weathered standing stone, c.1.4m high by c.0.7m wide by c.0.3m thick, which possibly forms part of the entrance to the burial ground. There is no evidence of a stone circle.

Visited by OS (R L) 26 October 1967.