I spent a couple of days at Rowan Cottage this week,
attending to a few jobs and a bit of painting. All my tasks were complete by
mid-afternoon yesterday, so I took myself off for a bit of a walk. I walked the
‘old road’ between Stollamus and Luib – still a reasonable track, but it was
left to disappear back into the moor when the motor car came to Skye and new
routes were created – probably in about the 1920s.
I started from the Luib end. I have not walked the full length of the track before. It
affords some lovely views into Strath Mor and over Loch na Cairidh and Caolas Scalpay.
But the big surprise was to
come across a ruined church… How did I not know of this before? In a straight line, it stands only a mile or so from Rowan Cottage, though the shape of the land hides it from view from the modern road. The only
approach to the ruin is by a rough path, ankle-deep in bog in places. The
church bears a build date of 1906, so it is not all that old, but even so, I
cannot find anything about it from my usual sources on the web.
Architecturally, it is attractive, but not a remarkable building, and there
is no evidence of an associated burial ground, but I am still surprised that there
appears to be no information available as to its history. I will have to make
some local enquiries!
Here are a few of my photos of my visit…
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| Allt na Luibe |
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| View towards Strath Mor |
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| A lonely ruin |
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| A closer view of the ruined church |
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| Inside the church - the altar end |
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| Caolas Scalpay from the track |
5 comments:
As ever, superbly atmospheric and evocative pictures.
If you want to investigate the church further, it may be worth getting in touch with the Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre in Portree. I'll be interested to know what you can discover.
Thank you for your comment Brian. I already have it in mind to visit the archive centre next time I am in Portree. However, so far, I have found that the church is marked on an early 20th Century ordnance survey map as 'UF Church' - that would be United Reformed Church. From that information, I have been given the email address of the current minister of the Church of Scotland in Broadford. (UF and Church of Scotland merged in 1929) 'My'church in Dunan would have been within the Strath parish, and Broadford is the main parish church. Maybe the minister will offer some further information.
Interesting.
I know from my visits to Skye and to Lewis and Harris last year that ruined buildings are an essential and regular part of the landscape in a way they just aren't in the neater, more 'prosperous' south of England. Reflective of the harshness of life (and weather) in these outer fringes of Britain.
A great place for a holiday, though.
Hi Richard
I think that's the attraction of Skye. You think you have seen it all but come across treasures all the time. Thanks for the pictures which are fabulous and on the church is on my to do list when I visit at the end of the month.
Thank you Andie, Enjoy your visit!
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