Skye, Dunvegan, St Mary's Church, Churchyard, Memorial

St. Mary's, Kilmuir, 1694. Consolidated rubble oblong of old Duirinish parish church in stone-walled burial enclosure, reminiscent of Skye's other post-Reformation parish churches of Strath and Sleat. Eighteenth century aisle and mural memorials; balustraded burial enclosure with architraved doorway of 1735 attached to west gable. Although St. Clement's Church, Rodel was the principal resting place for the Macleod chiefs, some are buried here, as are generations of MacCrimmons, hereditary pipers to the Macleods. Predominant in the graveyard is an ashlar obelisk memorial, early 18th century, with weathered inscription to 'Lord Thomas Frazer' (father of Simon, 11th Lord Lovat, who was executed on Towerhill in 1747) who died at Dunvegan while visiting his brother-in-law in 1699. In 1888 this 'lay in pieces on the ground', the kirk ruinous, overgrown with weeds and filled with junk, according to J. and E. Pennell. Its roof had caved in about 20 years earlier. Some carved late-medieval gravestones and 18th century tablestones.

Taken from "Western Seaboard: An Illustrated Architectural Guide", by Mary Miers, 2008. Published by the Rutland Press http://www.rias.org.uk

NG24NE 1 NG 255 478

Watching brief NG 255 478 The ruin of St Mary's Old Church lies within an enclosed burial ground at Kilmuir, and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. A late medieval grave-slab lies within the burial ground.

Community-led environmental improvement works at the site involved upgrading the main burial ground access. The replacement of a gate and handrail required the digging out and removal of existing foundations, and there was a possibility that archaeological remains may lie beneath the existing foundations.

A watching brief in September 2005 was required for the groundbreaking works to fit new gates and handrails. Very little undisturbed ground was excavated, and the works did not impact on any archaeological features. No artefacts were recovered.

Archive deposited in NMRS.

Sponsors: Highland Council Planning & Development, Leader+.

K Cameron 2005