This 19th-century chapel is a stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture, featuring a striking red sandstone façade, pointed arch windows, and a soaring spire that rises dramatically from the surrounding countryside.
Well worth a visit if you have an interest in ancient stones, a very eclectic collection. The Chapel has been renovated to a standard that is protecting the carved stones within. A beautiful area for a drive.
A lovely drive down a single-track road gets you to Kilmory Knap Chapel. It's quite humbling to stand with works of art created hundreds of years ago, to see the delicacy and intricacies worked into these graveslabs honoring long-dead warriors. The beach looked pleasant, but not worth the walk for us. There were many families enjoying the sun and sand, but we preferred to wander a bit more down the road. Just a few hundred meters south of the Chapel, we found a path into the wood which revealed a serene glen. We had a lovely rest there, in the shade of some trees just starting to regain their leaves. If a busy beach isn't your style, then take a chance on that path. Walk south from the Chapel, and shortly before the bend you see in the road, there will be a passing/parking place on the right. The path is in that area, through the trees. You should see a set boards across a small stream; if you do, that's the spot. Enjoy!
Kilmory Knap Chapel is a 13th-century Christian chapel, located at the tiny hamlet of Kilmory, in Knapdale. When the roof was lost the building was used as a burial enclosure. The structure was re-roofed in 1934 to hold a large collection of Early Christian cross slabs, late medieval graveslabs and standing crosses of West Highland type, from the 14th to 16th centuries; the chapel is an important historical site of Clan Macmillan(of Knap).During its active life it was a chapel within the parish of Knapdale, whose main parish church was on the opposite shore of Loch Sween at Keills. Oddly, Kilmory Knap is the more elaborate of the two, perhaps because of the patronage of the lairds of Castle Sween, who would have worshipped here. The far end of the chapel is dominated by the beautiful MacMillan's Cross, carved for Alexander MacMillan, who through marriage became keeper of Castle Sween in the 1450s. The original base of the cross can be seen in the churchyard outside, but given how crisp the carving is, it is difficult to believe it was ever exposed to the elements. It was moved into the chapel in 1981. the medieval carving, portraying the Chief of the clan with hunting dogs. The other stones fall into two main groups. Several date back to the early Christian era, i.e. before 1000, suggesting there was a much earlier church on the site of the chapel built in the 1200s. Most of the rest are what is known as West Highland graveslabs, dating from between the 1300s and the mid 1500s. Unusually, a number of different styles are on view, and it has been suggested that the stone for most West Highland graveslabs, wherever they are found, was quarried at a site between Kilmory Knap Chapel and Castle Sween. It is likely that many were carved locally too, as it would have been rather easier to transport the carved stones than the larger blocks they were carved from. As a result it is possible to find a wealth of the sorts of carvings only glimpsed occasionally elsewhere. Birlinns, or highland galleys, feature on a number of stones, and there are some excellent effigies of knights, clergy and others.The Chapel is associated with the Knights Templar, suggesting the area may have given refuge to Templars fleeing persecution in France.
This is far down a one lane road. Lots of sheep and cows a long the way as well as Castle Sween. We wanted to come and see the MacMillan cross since we are part of the clan. It was a good leaning experience on graves, some which are very old. If you go to Castle Sween I recommend visiting here also. This is free entry but you have to park at main road and walk a very short distance.
Absolutely amazing stones inside this beautiful building. Easy access and in a stunningly beautiful setting.
Lovely place. The carved stones are stunning. A very sensitive restoration of the roof which does not detract from the original building. Like that you use the ancient key to let yourself in. You can stand in the graveyard and look across to the papps of Jura.
Hello! I'm your AI guide for Kilmory Knap Chapel. I can help you with information about this attraction, including its history, best times to visit, and tips for your visit. What would you like to know?
Discover hotels in Lochgilphead PA31 8PB
Searching for hotels...
Well worth a visit if you have an interest in ancient stones, a very eclectic collection. The Chapel has been renovated to a standard that is protecting the carved stones within. A beautiful area for a drive.
A lovely drive down a single-track road gets you to Kilmory Knap Chapel. It's quite humbling to stand with works of art created hundreds of years ago, to see the delicacy and intricacies worked into these graveslabs honoring long-dead warriors. The beach looked pleasant, but not worth the walk for us. There were many families enjoying the sun and sand, but we preferred to wander a bit more down the road. Just a few hundred meters south of the Chapel, we found a path into the wood which revealed a serene glen. We had a lovely rest there, in the shade of some trees just starting to regain their leaves. If a busy beach isn't your style, then take a chance on that path. Walk south from the Chapel, and shortly before the bend you see in the road, there will be a passing/parking place on the right. The path is in that area, through the trees. You should see a set boards across a small stream; if you do, that's the spot. Enjoy!
Kilmory Knap Chapel is a 13th-century Christian chapel, located at the tiny hamlet of Kilmory, in Knapdale. When the roof was lost the building was used as a burial enclosure. The structure was re-roofed in 1934 to hold a large collection of Early Christian cross slabs, late medieval graveslabs and standing crosses of West Highland type, from the 14th to 16th centuries; the chapel is an important historical site of Clan Macmillan(of Knap).During its active life it was a chapel within the parish of Knapdale, whose main parish church was on the opposite shore of Loch Sween at Keills. Oddly, Kilmory Knap is the more elaborate of the two, perhaps because of the patronage of the lairds of Castle Sween, who would have worshipped here. The far end of the chapel is dominated by the beautiful MacMillan's Cross, carved for Alexander MacMillan, who through marriage became keeper of Castle Sween in the 1450s. The original base of the cross can be seen in the churchyard outside, but given how crisp the carving is, it is difficult to believe it was ever exposed to the elements. It was moved into the chapel in 1981. the medieval carving, portraying the Chief of the clan with hunting dogs. The other stones fall into two main groups. Several date back to the early Christian era, i.e. before 1000, suggesting there was a much earlier church on the site of the chapel built in the 1200s. Most of the rest are what is known as West Highland graveslabs, dating from between the 1300s and the mid 1500s. Unusually, a number of different styles are on view, and it has been suggested that the stone for most West Highland graveslabs, wherever they are found, was quarried at a site between Kilmory Knap Chapel and Castle Sween. It is likely that many were carved locally too, as it would have been rather easier to transport the carved stones than the larger blocks they were carved from. As a result it is possible to find a wealth of the sorts of carvings only glimpsed occasionally elsewhere. Birlinns, or highland galleys, feature on a number of stones, and there are some excellent effigies of knights, clergy and others.The Chapel is associated with the Knights Templar, suggesting the area may have given refuge to Templars fleeing persecution in France.
This is far down a one lane road. Lots of sheep and cows a long the way as well as Castle Sween. We wanted to come and see the MacMillan cross since we are part of the clan. It was a good leaning experience on graves, some which are very old. If you go to Castle Sween I recommend visiting here also. This is free entry but you have to park at main road and walk a very short distance.
Absolutely amazing stones inside this beautiful building. Easy access and in a stunningly beautiful setting.
Lovely place. The carved stones are stunning. A very sensitive restoration of the roof which does not detract from the original building. Like that you use the ancient key to let yourself in. You can stand in the graveyard and look across to the papps of Jura.
