Monument record 939 - KILMUIR, NORTH UIST, SAINT MARY'S CHURCH

NF77SW 12 7082 7058.

(NF 7082 7058) Kilmuir (St Mary's Church). A church here is mentioned in 1392 (OPS 1854) and at one time had a sanctuary of small extent. The site is probably indicated by the Balranald tomb, dated 1768, in the centre of a once circular graveyard, enlarged in 1900.
The 'barn-like structure' to the west, now disused, served as the parish church from 1764 until 1894. (E Beveridge 1911)
In 1866 Muir (T S Muir 1885) noted two crosses in the graveyard. One has since disappeared but the other, a 'hollow-angled' cross, still remains. (E Beveridge 1911)
E Beveridge 1911; T S Muir 1885; Orig Paroch Scot 1854.

The Balranald Tomb, alleged site of Kilmuir, is at NF 7083 7057. No trace of the church or of the circular grave-yard can be seen although the latter is visible on APs.
The later church is a rectangular structure, harled, 7.3m by 18.8m over walls 0.9m thick, now unroofed.
The crosses were not located.
Visited by OS (J T T) 15 June 1965.

There are at least four crosses in this church yard. One is the damaged remains of a large free-standing cross with hollowed angles and bosses. In addition, it is possible that there may be a number of West Highland horizontal carved stone grave slabs - several plain rectangular horizontal grave markers would bear closer examination.
MML 7.6.2001

As described above, with additional horizontal slabs, several with rough longitudinal engraved inscriptions, possibly early 18th century from re-used slabs. A single slab with indistinct cruciform styled decoration. One slab with large effigy of a man with hand to sword (possibly early West Highland style?)re-used as a vertical grave marker. There are also three saddle querns, two being used as markers. A single stone marker with socket was also noted. Mausolea are in stable condition except for the one encorporated in the western boundary wall, where three stones have fallen. A grave enclosure to the north is in poor condition with large crack in rendered wall and is at risk of collapse. This site would benefit from a survey.
KM (Arch Service CnES) 24/07/2023

Site visit focusing on the north and south extensions to the cemetery noted extensive midden material comprising of animal bone, shellfish and occiasional ceramic fragments. A recent burial lair excavation showed that a number of large stones had also been removed in the process. These observations lend weight to this being a multi period site of significance and it is likely that the whole of the mound / hillock has high archaeological potentail.
KM (Arch Service CnES) 30/01/2024

OPS, 1854, Origines Parochiales Scotiae, 373 (Bibliographic reference). SWE9142.

T S Muir, 1885, Ecclesiological notes on some of the Islands of Scotland, 38 (Bibliographic reference). SWE5959.

Erskine Beveridge, 1911, North Uist: its archaeology and topography, 293-4 (Bibliographic reference). SWE12876.