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Loch Tay, Priory Island
Barmkin (Medieval), Crannog (Period Unassigned)(Possible), Priory (Medieval)
Site Name Loch Tay, Priory Island
Classification Barmkin (Medieval), Crannog (Period Unassigned)(Possible), Priory (Medieval)
Alternative Name(s) Eilean Nam Ban; Sybilla's Island; Isle Of Loch Tay
Canmore ID 24932
Site Number NN74NE 5
NGR NN 76634 45372
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/24932
![Loch Tay. Engraving from southeast of Priory on Priory Island.
Titled 'Loch Tay Priory. Upon an island situated in Loch Tay, in the shire of Perth, was a Cell or Priory belonging to Scone, founded by King Alexander I in the year 1122, for canons regular of St. Augustine. In this place died Sybilla, Queen of Alexander I and was here buried. She was natural daughter of Henry I, King of England. In the neighbouring village of Ceanmore, or Kenmore, is held an annual fair, called the Fair of the Holy Women; the tradition is that the nuns of Loch Tay had liberty to expose at this time the work which they had done in the intervals of their devotion during the preceding twelvemonth, and that the establishment was for twenty-five. This is contrary to what is asserted by Spotteswood, and very different from the most respectable authority; but I give it as the general belief of that part of the country, and submit whether the curcumstance of Queen Sybilla dying and being buried there does not confirm the idea of its being possessed by nuns. There is a kiind of causeway which reaches from the island to the nortyh shore, which probably led to the garden and orchard upon the side of the opposite hill, hanging over the water, with a fine exposure to the south. This beautiful spot, with a wide-extended country round, is the property of the Earl of Breadalbane. This view is from the S. E. 1788. [Adam de Cardonnell "Picturesque Antiquities of Scotland." 1788.]](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/l/DP00097526.jpg)
![Loch Tay. Engraving from southeast of Priory on Priory Island.
Titled 'Loch Tay Priory. Upon an island situated in Loch Tay, in the shire of Perth, was a Cell or Priory belonging to Scone, founded by King Alexander I in the year 1122, for canons regular of St. Augustine. In this place died Sybilla, Queen of Alexander I and was here buried. She was natural daughter of Henry I, King of England. In the neighbouring village of Ceanmore, or Kenmore, is held an annual fair, called the Fair of the Holy Women; the tradition is that the nuns of Loch Tay had liberty to expose at this time the work which they had done in the intervals of their devotion during the preceding twelvemonth, and that the establishment was for twenty-five. This is contrary to what is asserted by Spotteswood, and very different from the most respectable authority; but I give it as the general belief of that part of the country, and submit whether the curcumstance of Queen Sybilla dying and being buried there does not confirm the idea of its being possessed by nuns. There is a kiind of causeway which reaches from the island to the nortyh shore, which probably led to the garden and orchard upon the side of the opposite hill, hanging over the water, with a fine exposure to the south. This beautiful spot, with a wide-extended country round, is the property of the Earl of Breadalbane. This view is from the S. E. 1788. [Adam de Cardonnell "Picturesque Antiquities of Scotland." 1788.]](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/s/DP00097526.jpg)
- Council Perth And Kinross
- Parish Kenmore (Perth And Kinross)
- Former Region Tayside
- Former District Perth And Kinross
- Former County Perthshire
NN74NE 5 76634 45372
Dixon describes this, the largest island in Loch Tay, as being 'at least superficially of artificial construction'; it comprises 'medium to large boulders', measures about 70m by 50m and is oval on plan. The island is mentioned in 1122-4 when it was granted by Alexander I to the monks of Scone Abbey as the burial-place of Queen Sybilla; the priory was probably built during this period. Later maps indicate that this was the 'yle de Kenmor' that was the residence of the Earl of Strathearn in 1306. In the mid 15th century the island was fortified by the construction of a barmkin wall, in 1509 the priory was re-built after its destruction by fire and in 1654 General Monk successfully besieged the island.
OSA 1796; NSA 1845; J Stuart 1866; F O Blundell 1913; W A Gillies 1938; G E Oakley 1973; T N Dixon 1983; I Morrison 1985.
A summary of the work carried out by the Scottish Trust for Underwater Archaeology in 2004 is included in The University of Edinburgh's 50th Annual Report, 2004.
N Dixon 2004
EXTERNAL REFERENCE:
Loch Tay Priory.
National Library of Scotland.
The National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh, contains among the 'uncatalogued MSS of General Hutton', numbered 124, Vol.1, a South-West view dated 1789 of this Priory.
