 The Kilchattan old church ruins are the remains of the old parish church built about 1743 on the southern tip of the isle of Luing. The ruins are associated with St. Cathan who with his nephew St. Blane proselytized among the Picts.
A number of churches were dedicated to St. Cathan across Scotland's western islands, including this one on Luing. Tobar Chattan at Little Kilchattan on Bute may represent the site of Cathan's original church. St. Cathan is said to have lived for a time at the monastery at Stornoway on the isle of Lewis, and his relics are said to have been housed at a chapel founded by Clan MacLeod on the same island.
A number of the outer facing-stones of the church bear etchings, lightly and crudely incised with a knife or other sharp-edged instrument. It seems likely that these are of pre-Reformation date, since the subjects represented include crosses and also galleys of the type found in the Western Isles in the late medieval period. The outlines of three ships appear on the North wall. Other subjects are on the West and South Walls.
About the Kilchattan Old Church Ruins (St. Cathan's Church)
Canmore: Luing, Kilchattan, Old Parish Church
Scottish Churches: Kilchattan Old Parish Church
Wikipedia: Cathan
Journey to the Kilchattan Old Church Ruins (St. Cathan's Church)
To get to the Kilchattan Old Church ruins, go to Isle of Seil over the Bridge over the Atlantic. Proceed south to the Cuan Ferry for the isle of Luing. Drive almost to the end of the isle just before the village of Toberonchy. The ruins are on the left.
Streetmap UK NGR NM7445309092
Visitors Information
Visitors information for the Kilchattan Old Church ruins and general tourist information for the area may be found at the Isle of Luing website.
Additional Photos of the Kilchattan Old Church Ruins (St. Cathan's Church)
Isle of Luing Sign for Journey to the Kilchattan Old Church Ruins (St. Cathan's Church), Argyll and Bute, Scotland (J. Demetrescu 2022)
Cuan Ferry to Luing on Journey for the Kilchattan Old Church Ruins (St. Cathan's Church), Argyll and Bute, Scotland (J. Demetrescu 2022)
Approaching the Kilchattan Old Church Ruins (St. Cathan's Church), Argyll and Bute, Scotland (J. Demetrescu 2022)
The Graveyard at the Kilchattan Old Church Ruins (St. Cathan's Church), Argyll and Bute, Scotland (J. Demetrescu 2022)
The Interior of the Kilchattan Old Church Ruins (St. Cathan's Church), Argyll and Bute, Scotland (J. Demetrescu 2022)
Side of the Kilchattan Old Church Ruins (St. Cathan's Church), Argyll and Bute, Scotland (J. Demetrescu 2022)
Etchings on the Wall of the Kilchattan Old Church Ruins (St. Cathan's Church), Argyll and Bute, Scotland (J. Demetrescu 2022)
Etchings on the Kilchattan Old Church Ruins (St. Cathan's Church), Argyll and Bute, Scotland (J. Demetrescu 2022)
Etchings on the Kilchattan Old Church Ruins (St. Cathan's Church), Argyll and Bute, Scotland (J. Demetrescu 2022)
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