Archaeology InSites

Sometime around 1680, the tacksman of St Kilda, his wife and a ‘good crew’ set sail back to the Outer Hebrides, carrying with them much of the St Kildan’s rent for that year as produce. A great storm blew up and the small boat was forced to turn before the wind. Past Harris and Lewis she flew, sea foaming along the gunnels, men straining sinew to hold her course before the ever strengthening waves. At last they were cast ashore on the island of Rona, an outpost even more distant than St Kilda itself, 130 miles to the northwest, and 45 miles from the nearest shore. True to the poetry of Gaelic, the island’s local name, Ronaidh an t’haf, means Rona of the Ocean.

The monastic site of Cenn Garah, which translates into Kingarth, is now known as St Blane’s. It lies at the southern tip of the Isle of Bute, in a remarkably peaceful location. The founders of the 6th century AD monastery were looking to establish a place of quiet study and contemplation. When you visit St Blane’s you can certainly understand why they chose this location. The founders were obviously aware of the local landscape and how best to use it to their advantage. By studying the layout of the monastic remains we can begin to understand aspects of how the site began its life and has been adapted over the past 1,400 years.