Kintyre’s neglected heritage
One of the key heritage attractions on Scotland’s West Coast, Kilmartin Museum reopened recently following a period of vital redevelopment work, but did you know that Kintyre has several equally important medieval sites?
Kilkivan Old Parish Church and Graveyard, home to a fascinating collection of West Highland-style 14th and 15th century grave slabs, is one of the area’s most underappreciated and endangered historical sites.
Gaels from Antrim in Ulster established the kingdom of Dalriada in Argyll. Recorded evidence tells how Fergus the Great, King of Dalriada in Ulster, moved across to Scotland about 500AD.
He brought Gaelic to Scotland and this can be seen in the number of places in Kintyre starting with the prefix “Kil”.
“Kil” is the Anglicised version of the Gaelic word “Cille”, meaning a church or holy place, whilst “Kivan” is a variation of the word “Kevin”, the Irish saint who is reputed to have preached Christianity to the people of Kintyre. Therefore, “Kilkivan” means “the church of Kevin”. The ruins of this church stand within a graveyard west of Campbeltown, between the villages of Drumlemble and Machrihanish.
Unfortunately, Kilkivan Church is in a sad state of repair, along with the medieval grave slabs which lie uncovered and have been deteriorating rapidly in the last few years due to acid rain.
Laggan Opportunity and Amenity Fund (LOAF) is working jointly with Killean and Kilchenzie Churches Preservation Association to restore these three sites, Kilkivan, Killean and Kilchenzie, before developing a heritage trail in Kintyre.
LOAF has its annual general meeting in Machrihanish Village Hall on Monday May 13 at 7.30pm. This meeting is open to all and everyone who would like to help preserve Kintyre’s history is encouraged to go along.
“To get grant funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, we must demonstrate that the local community is in favour,” said a LOAF spokesperson. “Please come along to show your support and to find out more about these important national heritage sites.”