East Portnellan, Chapel And Burial-ground Of The Clan Macgregor

NN41SW 2 4058 1191

(NN 4058 1191) Chapel (NR) (In Ruins)

OS 6" map, Perthshire, 2nd ed., (1901).

For general summary of Loch Katrine (reservoir), see NN41SW 29.

At this location is the burial ground of the Clan MacGregor, raised and restored by Glasgow Corporation in 1922 to prevent it being submerged by the waters of Loch Katrine (Hunter 1933). It consists of a stone-walled rectangular enclosure, measuring 18.0 x 13.7m, and within, a smaller enclosure, measuring 10.0m square, containing twelve grave-slabs, one dated 1699; another four slabs lie just outside to the NW. On the lintel over the entrance is an inscription referring to a repair at some time, a heraldic shield, and the date 1781. No trace of a chapel or remains of one was seen in the area. A plan of the lochside, dated 1863 (plan held in Lower Clyde Water Board office, Glasgow), shows only a burial ground at this spot and there is no mention of a chapel here by Hunter. No evidence was found to substantiate the OS published entry.

Visited by OS (W D J) 16 May 1969.

NN 440 095 (centre) An archaeological survey was carried out in advance of possible forest regeneration around Loch Katrine in January 1997. The survey area was mainly restricted to woodlands, including both broadleaf and coniferous, but also included areas of open hillside. The survey identified and accurately located the presence of 84 known and previously unknown sites.

The majority of the features recorded were related to medieval or later settlement and field enclosures. A small-scale post-medieval iron industry was established around the loch shores and the Glengyle Burn.

No evidence of prehistoric settlement was recorded. The only potentially prehistoric feature was a possible burial mound just beyond the present W end of the loch. A stone cairn is recorded as containing the body of a Cromwellian soldier.

NN 4058 1191 Burial ground.

Sponsor: West of Scotland Water.

I Cullen and G Tompsett 1997

This graveyard was recorded by GUARD (NMRS 725/129) during a survey of woodlands around Loch Katrine. Raised and restored prior to the raising of the loch level in 1922, the graveyard presently consists of two stone enclosures; the inner enclosure measures 10m by 10m and the outer enclosure 18m by 13.7m. There is a lintel over the entrance which is carved with a date of 1781 and a shield. Within there are twelve graves slabs in the inner enclosure with a further four in the outer. The earliest grave slab dates to 1699.

I Cullen and G Tompsett (GUARD) 7 to 12 January 1997; NMRS MS 725/129, no. 61.