Scottish Highlands - Historic Churches

The church of St Clements at Rodel is probably the finest late medieval church in the West of Scotland. Rodel is famous for the superbly carved tomb of Alexander MacLeod of Harris (d. 1547), depicting hunting, sailing, and religious figures. There are also three tombs of knights and 16th-century grave slabs carved from gneiss.
Rodel, Western Isles, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: 16th century Alexander MacLeod tomb

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In the churchyard of Avoch Parish Church stands a memorial to Sir Alexander Mackenzie, the first man to traverse Canada from coast to coast. Mackenzie made two expeditions in the Canadian northwest, finding a route first to the Beaufort Sea and second to the Pacific Ocean. He returned to Scotland and became laird of Avoch.
Avoch Parish Church, Braehead, Avoch, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV9 8QJ

Attraction Type: Church - Memorial
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On an island in the River Snizort stands the remains of the 12th century cathedral of the Bishops of the Isles, plus a 12th century chapel dedicated to St Columba, who is said to have preached here. Look for 16th century grave slabs of crusading knights.
A850, Skeabost, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Site of the 12th century Cathedral of the Isles

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St Assind's Chapel is a turf-covered Pre-Reformation chapel ruin within the burial ground of Bracadale parish church. Within the burial ground are three late-medieval carved grave slabs.
Bracadale Parish Church, A863, Bracadale, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Medieval carved grave slabs

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St Columba's Church of Ui stands on the shore of Aignish, near Stornoway, on the site of a 6th-century chapel founded by St Catan, a disciple of Columba. Eighteen chiefs of Clan Macleod are buried here.
Aignish, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, HS2 0PA

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Heritage Highlight: 15th-century grave slab of Roderick Macleod VII

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An ancient holy well said to have healing properties stands near the site of a church founded by St Columba around AD 565. The saint is said to have cast out evil spirits infesting the well and turned the waters pure. He then used the well to baptise converts to Christianity.
A82, Invermoriston, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV63 7YA

Attraction Type: Church - Holy Well
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Heritage Highlight: Founded by St Columba

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In a stunning location by the shore of Loch Eynort stands a pair of historic chapels. The oldest chapel dates to the medieval period and stands on the site of a much older building possibly established by St Maelrubha.
Eynort, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV47 8SQ

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Heritage Highlight: Links to 7th century St Maelrubha

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A superb medieval cathedral begun in 1137 in honour of St Magnus, Earl Magnus of Orkney. The building is mostly Norman in character, built of alternating bands of red and yellow sandstone. The saint's bones are buried within a pillar in the nave.
Broad Street, Kirkwall, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, KW15 1NX

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The roofless ruins of a 12th-century church stand in the north-west of the little isle of Egilsay, off the eastern end of Rousay. The church was built in the late 12th century and is composed of a rectangular nave which terminates in a square chancel.
Egilsay, Skaill, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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The first cathedral on Orkney, established in AD 1064 by Earl Thorfinn. Earl Magnus was buried here after his murder in 1116. When miracles were reported at his grave the Earl was canonised as St Magnus and a new cathedral in Kirkwall was built to house his shrine. The church we see today dates from 1664, rebult in 1760.
Birsay, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, KW17 2LX

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Heritage Highlight: The first burial place of St Magnus Orkney, dating to c. 1064

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