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Skeabost Bridge
Road Bridge (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Skeabost Bridge
Classification Road Bridge (Period Unassigned)
Alternative Name(s) Skeabost, Old Bridge; River Snizort
Canmore ID 160432
Site Number NG44NW 32
NGR NG 41950 48425
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/160432
- Council Highland
- Parish Snizort
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Skye And Lochalsh
- Former County Inverness-shire
Skeabost (sheltered house) Beneath Old Skeabost Bridge (late 18th/early 19th century), the peaty waters of the Snizort wash the undulating grassy gusset of: St. Columba's Isle (Eilean Chaluim Chille). Here lie the ancient burial site and foundations of Old Snizort Parish Church, probably late medieval, which served as a cathedral church of the Bishops of the Isles, as did its predecessor. The history of this place is complicated and uncertain, requiring further archaeological research to ensure more accurate dating (see p.256 for more). To the west lies the ruin of the older but more intact Chapel/Teampall of St. Columba (also known as Nicolson's Aisle), possibly contemporary with the original 11th century Episcopal seat here, although an early 13th century date is suggested by an unearthed fragment of an ornamental nook shaft capital identical to work on Iona of that date. Tradition claims that 28 Nicolson chiefs are buried in this mortuary chapel. Of various important carved grave slabs found on the site, a 16th century effigy of a knight still reclines inside.
Taken from "Western Seaboard: An Illustrated Architectural Guide", by Mary Miers, 20082007. Published by the Rutland Press http://www.rias.org.uk
