St Columba's Island.

Start. Skeabost Memorial Hall.

Route. N/A

Notes. St Columba’s Island is an ancient burial ground and site of the Cathedral Church of the Bishop of the Isles from 1079-1498, similarly ancient is the Mortuary Chapel, Nicolsons Aisle. Where according to tradition 28 Chiefs of the MacNeacail Clan are buried. The island is not at all well known and that is one if its attractions, steeped in history as St Columba founded the Cathedral of Bishops on this Isle and there are many graves dating from the 1100's through to the 1960's.

You don’t really need a map for this one, it was a short walk to a tiny burial ground with a long history. After parking at Skeabost Memorial Hall we wandered along the quiet single ribbon of tarmac until a finger-post pointed the way, we were soon accessing the island via a wooden footbridge.

After a quick look around we slowly re-traced our steps. Our visit was fleeting, a quick stop off as we were passing, but next time we’re on Skye we shall spend a little more time in this calm and tranquil gem hidden away from the tourist trail.

view route map.

home.

The River Snizort.

The old road linking Dunvegan to Portree.

Ruined chapel with a long history.

16th century grave slab.

This looks a lot older it makes me wonder who the effigy depicts.

The MacNeacail Mortuary Chapel burial site for 28 MacNeacail Chiefs.

St Columba's Island.

The skull and crossbones are probably the oldest mortality symbols found in Scottish graveyards. All over Scotland and the north east of England you come across old stones decorated with a skull or a skull and crossbones. Often an hour glass is combined to signify time running out, or a winged death’s head also indicating that life is nothing solid but fleeting. So go visit St Columba's Island before time runs out.

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