Monument record MHG4159 - St. Finnan's Chapel - Eilean Fhianain
Summary
No summary available.
Location
Grid reference | Centred NM 7520 6827 (24m by 12m) (Buffered by site type) |
---|---|
Map sheet | NM76NE |
Civil Parish | ARISAIG AND MOIDART |
Old County | INVERNESS-SHIRE |
Geographical Area | LOCHABER |
Map
Type and Period (1)
Full Description
Little is known of the early history of the chapel of Eilean Fhianain. It is perhaps built on the site of a cell which St. Finan had upon the island in the 7th century and the builder is believed to have been Alan MacRuaridh, one of the early Clan Ranald chiefs. The island was the burying place of the Clan Ranalds until the end of the 16th century. The chapel became a ruin by the mid-17th century. The altar, however, remains, and on it stands a 6" high D.A. bell. A circular brass brooch found in the burial ground was donated to the NMAS in 1896. <1> <2> <3> <4>
(NM 7520 6827) St. Finnan's Church (NR) (Remains of) Burying Ground (NAT)
OS 6" map, Inverness-shire, 2nd ed., (1901)
National Library, Country Life 26 December 1941 - photograph
St. Finan's Chapel (locally accepted name) is oriented E-W and measures 21.0m by 5.6m within a wall which is 0.9m thick and c. 2.8m maximum height. In the N wall are the lower halves of four windows, and near the E end is a square-headed aumbry. In the W wall is the lower part of a window and in the S wall the lower part of three windows, and towards its W end a doorway. The altar and bell remain intact at the E end. The interior has been used for burials.
Visited by OS (R L) 3 June 1970.
The chapel and the surrounding buruial ground were listed at Category A in 1971.
A contour survey of most of the island was undertaken in 1992 by CFA after the clearing of the thick scrub that has obscured the island in recent years. A number of gravestones, crosses, the chapel and other monuments were mapped. <5>
The remains of the chapel and stone crosses were scheduled in 1995.
It has been observed that lichen has been removed from the stone crucifix in the chapel, leaving it open to further deterioration.
Information supplied by J Kirby, 03/06/04
Chapel, c.1500 Believed to have been built to replace a wooden structure by Allan MacRuari, 4th Chief of Clanranald, "the dread and terror of all neighbouring clans". Abandoned 17th century, since when all dressings have been robbed. The rubble walls still enclose a stone altar slab, with a seamless bronze bell of Early Christian type (possibly 10th century), a small cross in a niche, plus various important graveslabs, including one much weathered example of the Iona School, c. late 15th century, depicting a sword and foliage scrolls. Among the many monuments scattering Eilean Fhianain in the shelter of hawthorn, larch and Scots pine are several late medieval graveslabs and a group of weathered cruciform stones, probably 18th century. <6>
The chapel and stone crosses were removed from the listing in August 2015 by Historic Scotland as part of a project looking at dual designations of sites in the Highlands, though they remain a scheduled monument. The statutory address was formerly 'Eilean Fhianain, St Finnan's Chapel and Burial Ground'. <7>
For burial ground see MHG31447
Sources/Archives (145)
- --- SHG1677 Text/Publication/Article: Bourke, C. 1984. 'The hand-bells of the early Scottish church', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 113 1983, p.464-8. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 464-8. 467.
- --- SHG4794 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG4804 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG11651 Image/Photograph(s): St. Finnan's Isle, general view from W.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11672 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, grave markers.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11682 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, grave marker.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11692 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, general view.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11702 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, scrub clearance worker.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12144 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12154 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12164 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12395 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan : Scrub Clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12494 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan :. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG4795 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG4805 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG11652 Image/Photograph(s): Chapel, St. Finnan's Isle.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11673 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11683 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, grave marker.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11693 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, general view.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11703 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, scrub clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12145 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12155 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12165 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12396 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan : Scrub Clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12818 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, general view.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG24361 Image/Photograph(s): Highland Council Archaeology Unit. HCAU Slide Collection Sheet 12. Colour slide. . Digital (scanned). 226.
- --- SHG4788 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG4798 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG4808 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG11645 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, general view.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11666 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, scrub clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11676 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, scrub clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11686 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, grave markers.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11696 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, scrub clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11706 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, scrub clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12148 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12158 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12168 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12399 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan : Scrub Clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12821 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, scrub clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG24360 Image/Photograph(s): Highland Council Archaeology Unit. HCAU Slide Collection Sheet 11. Colour slide. . Digital (scanned). 219.
- --- SHG4796 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG4806 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG11653 Image/Photograph(s): St. Finnan's Isle : Recent burial.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11674 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, grave markers.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11684 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, grave marker.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11694 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, scrub clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11704 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, scrub clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12146 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12156 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12166 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12397 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan : Scrub Clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12819 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, general view.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG4789 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG4799 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG4809 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG11646 Image/Photograph(s): Chapel and altar, St. Finnan's Isle.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11667 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, grave marker (incised).. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11677 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, grave markers.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11687 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, structure.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11697 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, scrub clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11707 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, scrub clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12149 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12159 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12390 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan : Scrub Clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12400 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan : Scrub Clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12822 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, chapel after clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG4790 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG4800 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG4810 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG11647 Image/Photograph(s): St. Finnan's Isle, landing jetty.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11668 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, scrub cleared.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11678 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, Lair.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11688 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, grave marker.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11698 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, scrub clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11708 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, scrub clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12150 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12160 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12391 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan : Scrub Clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12401 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan : Scrub Clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12823 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, general view.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG4787 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG4797 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG4807 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG11654 Image/Photograph(s): Chapel and burial ground, Eilean Fhiannain.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11675 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, grave markers.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11685 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, grave markers.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11695 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, cleared area.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11705 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, scrub clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12147 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12157 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12167 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12398 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan : Scrub Clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12820 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, information board.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG4793 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG4803 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG4813 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG11650 Image/Photograph(s): St. Finnan's Isle, Loch Shiel, general view.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11671 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, grave markers.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11681 Image/Photograph(s): Chapel : St. Finnan's Isle.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11691 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, general view.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11701 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, scrub clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12143 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12153 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12163 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12394 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan : Scrub Clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12404 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan : Scrub Clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12826 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, scrub clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG24258 Image/Photograph(s): Highland Council Archaeology Unit. HCAU Slide Collection Sheet 7. Colour slide. . Digital (scanned). 126,132.
- --- SHG4791 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG4801 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG4811 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG11648 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, general view.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11669 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, grave markers.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11679 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, grave markers.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11689 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, general view.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11699 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, scrub clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11709 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, scrub clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12151 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12161 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12392 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan : Scrub Clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital. .
- --- SHG12402 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan : Scrub Clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12824 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, scrub clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG2204 Text/Publication/Volume: Forbes, A P. 1872. Kalendars of Scottish saints, with personal notices of those of Alba, Laudonia and Strathclyde. 310-11.
- --- SHG4792 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG4802 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG4812 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG11649 Image/Photograph(s): Cross, St. Finnan's Isle.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11670 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11680 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, grave markers (incised).. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11690 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, general view.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG11700 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, scrub clearance worker.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12142 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12152 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12162 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12393 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan : Scrub Clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12403 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan : Scrub Clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG12825 Image/Photograph(s): Eilean Fhiannan, scrub clearance.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- <1> SHG618 Text/Publication/Article: PSAS. 1896. 'Donations to and purchases for the Museum and Library, with exhibits', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 30 1895-6, p.5-9,38-40,200-5,247-53,308-16. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 5-9,38-40,200-5,247-53,30. 39.
- <2> SHG2132 Text/Publication/Volume: Donaldson, M E M. 1923. Wanderings in the Western Highlands and Islands. 2nd, rev.. 30.
- <3> SHG2918 Text/Publication/Volume: Watson, W J. 1926. The history of the Celtic place-names of Scotland: being the Rhind lectures on archaeology (expanded) delivered in 1916. 285-6.
- <4> SHG2275 Text/Publication/Volume: Gordon, S. 1935. Highways and Byways in the Western Highlands. 168-70.
- <5> SHG718 Text/Publication/Article: CFA. 1992. 'Eilean Fhianain, Loch Shiel (Arisaig and Moidart parish): ecclesiastical site', in Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1992. SHG23035. 42.
- <6> SHG24310 Text/Publication/Volume: Miers, M.. 2008. The Western Seaboard: An Illustrated Architectural Guide. Paperback.
- <7> SHG27385 Text/Designation Notification/List of Buildings: Jackson, L.. 2015. Combined Statutory and Descriptive List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Highland Council, Two Hundred and First Amendment) 2015. Historic Scotland. 04/09/2015. Digital.
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Protected Status/Designation
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Record last edited
Oct 24 2016 4:05PM