Monument record MHG8942 - Cille Bhrea, (Lemlair parish church)

Cille Bhrea {NR} Chapel {NR} (Ruin) OS 6"map, (1938)

This was parish church of Lemlair until that parish was united with Kiltearn after Reformation. Its original dedication was to Brig., one of holy maidens of Brigit who died 525. It was latterly known as St. Mary's Chapel, probably a mis-translation of original name.
The foundations are still visible in churchyard, which is known as 'Cladh Mo-Bhrigh'
W J Watson 1904; N Macrae 1923; W J Watson 1926. <1>-<3>

The remains of Chapel measure 10.8 m EW by 4.4 m transversely with grass-covered walls 0.6 high and 0.7 m thick. SE corner has been destroyed by erosion. A few grave-slabs can be seen within chapel and immediately to N of it, but graveyard is unenclosed and derelict. Name St. Brig's Chapel is still known locally.
Re-surveyed at 1/2500. Visited by OS (N K B) 30 June 1965

Chapel (NR) (remains of) OS 1:10,000, (1971)

This chapel was partially excavated by Dr Woodham (Clava, Cunninghill Rd., Invervrie) 1966. Finds include a stone font and part of communion table, which are still in chapel, and several skeletons. According to Woodham dedication is to St Brigh, and present remains date from c1198 when chapel was consecrated. There is no trace of graves in unenclosed graveyard around chapel, though human bones protrude from eroding cliff face near chapel. Woodham states that last burial was about "100 years ago" Visited by (NKB) 20 December 1976

Coastal erosion is resulting in the erosion of part of the medieval churchyard at Cille Bhrea. The arm of a decorated, possibly free-standing cross was found amongst the eroded material at the foot of the cliff. Human bones and iron coffin nails were also recovered from the eroding cliff face. The material has been deposited at Inverness Museum, INVMG 983.147-9. <4>

Coastal processes are resulting in erosion of churchyard. The arm of a decorated, possibly a free standing, cross was found amongst eroded material at foot of cliff. Human bones and iron coffin nails were also recovered from eroding cliff face.
J Wordsworth, SSSIs, Scottish Natural Heritage, 1993

NH 576 614 An archaeological assessment was carried out to measure extent of continued coastal erosion of both chapel and graveyard. Skeletal remains, including one with associated coffin nails, were deposited with Historic Scotland.
Sponsor: Historic Scotland
J Wordsworth 1997 <5>

Photographs were submitted by a participant in a Community Timeline course, run by ARCH. <6>

Visited during the Highland Kirkyards project, run by Highland Buildings Preservation Trust. Described as extremely overgrown remains of chapel are situated on a difficult to reach cliff edge on the north shore of the Cromarty Firth. Erosion of the site means that dressed stone and human bones have been found on the shore below. This site was visited in the summer when the vegetation made it difficult to view what was there. Another visit in the winter months may shed more light on the extent of the remains. <7><8>

Human bones which had been removed from Cille Bhrea chapel and graveyard were reburied in June 2013, 15 years after they were excavated in 1998 as part of an excavation comissioned by Historic Scotland in response to the coastal erosion of the eastern end of the chapel. For further information see the web link to the Evanton Oral History Projct.