Kilmartin (Scottish Gaelic: Cille Mhàrtainn, meaning "church of Màrtainn"[1]) is a small village in Argyll and Bute, western Scotland. It is best known as the centre of Kilmartin Glen, an area with one of the richest concentrations of prehistoric monuments and historical sites in Scotland. It contains over 800 monuments within a six-mile (ten-kilometre) radius. It is home to Kilmartin Museum and the Kilmartin Hotel.
Kilmartin Parish Church is a congregation of the Church of Scotland. The present church building was designed by architect James Gordon Davis and opened in 1835, though there had been earlier churches on the site.[2] The churchyard has an important collection of early Christian and medieval carved stones, known as the Kilmartin Stones. Some are displayed within the parish church itself, others have been gathered into lapidaria within the graveyard, others still remain lying within it.
The two most important monuments are the Kilmartin crosses, one 9th–10th century, the other late medieval in date, within the church. In the churchyard are a large collection of late medieval gravestones in the 'West Highland' style, dating between the 14th and early 16th centuries. Many are marked by figures of warriors in contemporary dress with spears and swords, along with figures of fantastic animals, foliage and interlace patterns. None are inscribed, so the identities of the persons commemorated are unknown. They can, however, be taken to be the monuments of the local landowning or minor noble class in late medieval times. Kilmartin Church was evidently an important burial site, and the graveslabs of the 'Loch Awe school' of carving may have been carved in a workshop at or near Kilmartin. The swords shown on many of the stones refer to warrior (or, more broadly, social) status, and have no connection with the Templars or other medieval military orders, as is sometimes suggested.[3] Women are commemorated on some of the stones, their symbol often being the shears (referring to household activities).
John Duncanson (c.1630–1687) served as the Church of Scotland minister at Kilmartin between 1655-1662 and again between 1670-1684. He was removed in 1662 when episcopacy was re-established, but his appointment was restored in 1670.[4] His son Major Robert Duncanson was a key figure in the 1692 Glencoe Massacre. Kilmartin Church has been decommissioned and is now in private ownership.
Kilmartin Museum
Kilmartin Museum interprets the Neolithic monuments of Kilmartin Glen and the surrounding area for visitors, and has a selection of excavated artifacts of various periods. It is located within the village in a group of converted buildings. The Museum has a book and gift shop and a café which serves locally sourced freshly prepared meals.[5] It is currently closed for refurbishment until 2023. However there is still a cafe on site serving light snacks and cakes, including vegan options.
Kilmartin Castle
Kilmartin Castle, a small 'Z-plan' tower house, dating from about 1580, stands above the village. Kilmartin was a property of the Campbells, many of whom are buried in the churchyard. John Carswell, Rector of Kilmartin and later titular Bishop of the Isles, lived here before moving to his new residence at Carnasserie Castle. The castle comprises an oblong, three-storey main block, with round towers to the north-east and south-west corners, as well as a small stair tower in the west front. Formerly ruined, it has been restored as a private house in recent years. Shot holes and iron yetts over the windows have been retained.
Kilmartin's is one of the finest concentrations of prehistoric sites in Scotland, and almost all are within an easy walk of the roads which criss-cross the valley. One of the burial cairns has been rebuilt, with access through an opening in the top down stairs to the base of the cairn and a stone burial cist. The two stone circles in Temple Wood have also been re-erected by archaeologists.
Carnasserie Castle stands a little north of Kilmartin, and is in the care of Historic Environment Scotland. It was built by Bishop John Carswell of Argyll between 1565 and 1572, acquired on his death by his patron the Earl of Argyll then sold in 1643 to Sir Dugald Campbell, 3rd Baronet of Auchinbreck. It was blown up by government forces when his successor Duncan Campbell participated in the failed 1685 Argyll's Rising and never repaired. Largely complete, though roofless, its architecture is notably refined and includes much Renaissance ornamental detail.
Also within Kilmartin parish is the important Iron Age and early medieval hill-fort of Dunadd, one of the major centres of the kingdom of Dál Riata. It is also in the care of Historic Environment Scotland. Kilmartin has throughout history been considered one of the poorer and more destitute areas of Scotland.
The Moine Mhòr encompasses a large area of raised bog, saltmarsh, brackish grassland, alder carr, fen and woodland to the west of Kilmartin. The variety of habitats at Moine Mhòr provide important habitats for a variety of animal and plant species, and the area was declared a national nature reserve (NNR) in 1987. It is owned and managed by NatureScot. According to NatureScot lowland raised bogs like Moine Mhòr are some of the rarest and most threatened natural wildlife habitats in Europe, due to removal of peat, afforestation and reclamation of farmland.[6]
See also
Famous Scottish writer, Beatrice Grant was born and baptised in Kilmartin in 1761[7]
^Lomas, Robert (2007). Turning the Templar Key. Beverly, MA: Fair Winds. p. 129. ISBN9781610595544. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
^Hopkins, Paul (2004). "Robert Duncanson". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/8233. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
kilmartin, humans, with, surname, surname, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, . For humans with the surname Kilmartin see Kilmartin surname This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Kilmartin news newspapers books scholar JSTOR October 2011 Learn how and when to remove this template message Kilmartin Scottish Gaelic Cille Mhartainn meaning church of Martainn 1 is a small village in Argyll and Bute western Scotland It is best known as the centre of Kilmartin Glen an area with one of the richest concentrations of prehistoric monuments and historical sites in Scotland It contains over 800 monuments within a six mile ten kilometre radius It is home to Kilmartin Museum and the Kilmartin Hotel KilmartinScottish Gaelic Cille MhartainnKilmartinKilmartinLocation within Argyll and ButeOS grid referenceNR 834 999Council areaArgyll and ButeLieutenancy areaArgyll and ButeCountryScotlandSovereign stateUnited KingdomPost townLochgilpheadPostcode districtPA31Dialling code01546UK ParliamentArgyll and ButeScottish ParliamentArgyll and ButeList of places UK Scotland 56 07 59 N 5 29 13 W 56 133 N 5 487 W 56 133 5 487 Contents 1 Kilmartin Parish Church 2 Kilmartin Museum 3 Kilmartin Castle 4 Kilmartin Glen 5 Moine Mhor 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksKilmartin Parish Church Edit Kilmartin ChurchKilmartin Parish Church is a congregation of the Church of Scotland The present church building was designed by architect James Gordon Davis and opened in 1835 though there had been earlier churches on the site 2 The churchyard has an important collection of early Christian and medieval carved stones known as the Kilmartin Stones Some are displayed within the parish church itself others have been gathered into lapidaria within the graveyard others still remain lying within it The two most important monuments are the Kilmartin crosses one 9th 10th century the other late medieval in date within the church In the churchyard are a large collection of late medieval gravestones in the West Highland style dating between the 14th and early 16th centuries Many are marked by figures of warriors in contemporary dress with spears and swords along with figures of fantastic animals foliage and interlace patterns None are inscribed so the identities of the persons commemorated are unknown They can however be taken to be the monuments of the local landowning or minor noble class in late medieval times Kilmartin Church was evidently an important burial site and the graveslabs of the Loch Awe school of carving may have been carved in a workshop at or near Kilmartin The swords shown on many of the stones refer to warrior or more broadly social status and have no connection with the Templars or other medieval military orders as is sometimes suggested 3 Women are commemorated on some of the stones their symbol often being the shears referring to household activities John Duncanson c 1630 1687 served as the Church of Scotland minister at Kilmartin between 1655 1662 and again between 1670 1684 He was removed in 1662 when episcopacy was re established but his appointment was restored in 1670 4 His son Major Robert Duncanson was a key figure in the 1692 Glencoe Massacre Kilmartin Church has been decommissioned and is now in private ownership Kilmartin Museum EditKilmartin Museum interprets the Neolithic monuments of Kilmartin Glen and the surrounding area for visitors and has a selection of excavated artifacts of various periods It is located within the village in a group of converted buildings The Museum has a book and gift shop and a cafe which serves locally sourced freshly prepared meals 5 It is currently closed for refurbishment until 2023 However there is still a cafe on site serving light snacks and cakes including vegan options Kilmartin Castle EditKilmartin Castle a small Z plan tower house dating from about 1580 stands above the village Kilmartin was a property of the Campbells many of whom are buried in the churchyard John Carswell Rector of Kilmartin and later titular Bishop of the Isles lived here before moving to his new residence at Carnasserie Castle The castle comprises an oblong three storey main block with round towers to the north east and south west corners as well as a small stair tower in the west front Formerly ruined it has been restored as a private house in recent years Shot holes and iron yetts over the windows have been retained The village also has a hotel and public toilets Kilmartin Glen EditMain article Kilmartin Glen Carnassarie Castle near KilmartinKilmartin Glen is the location of several important Neolithic Bronze Age and Iron Age sites including Temple Wood a henge monument several burial cairns chambered cairns standing stones and cup and ring marked rocks Kilmartin s is one of the finest concentrations of prehistoric sites in Scotland and almost all are within an easy walk of the roads which criss cross the valley One of the burial cairns has been rebuilt with access through an opening in the top down stairs to the base of the cairn and a stone burial cist The two stone circles in Temple Wood have also been re erected by archaeologists Carnasserie Castle stands a little north of Kilmartin and is in the care of Historic Environment Scotland It was built by Bishop John Carswell of Argyll between 1565 and 1572 acquired on his death by his patron the Earl of Argyll then sold in 1643 to Sir Dugald Campbell 3rd Baronet of Auchinbreck It was blown up by government forces when his successor Duncan Campbell participated in the failed 1685 Argyll s Rising and never repaired Largely complete though roofless its architecture is notably refined and includes much Renaissance ornamental detail Also within Kilmartin parish is the important Iron Age and early medieval hill fort of Dunadd one of the major centres of the kingdom of Dal Riata It is also in the care of Historic Environment Scotland Kilmartin has throughout history been considered one of the poorer and more destitute areas of Scotland Moine Mhor EditMain article Moine Mhor The Moine Mhor encompasses a large area of raised bog saltmarsh brackish grassland alder carr fen and woodland to the west of Kilmartin The variety of habitats at Moine Mhor provide important habitats for a variety of animal and plant species and the area was declared a national nature reserve NNR in 1987 It is owned and managed by NatureScot According to NatureScot lowland raised bogs like Moine Mhor are some of the rarest and most threatened natural wildlife habitats in Europe due to removal of peat afforestation and reclamation of farmland 6 See also EditFamous Scottish writer Beatrice Grant was born and baptised in Kilmartin in 1761 7 References Edit Kilmartin Retrieved 30 January 2022 Historic Environment Scotland Kilmartin Parish Church 39532 Canmore Retrieved 29 October 2020 Lomas Robert 2007 Turning the Templar Key Beverly MA Fair Winds p 129 ISBN 9781610595544 Retrieved 22 August 2016 Hopkins Paul 2004 Robert Duncanson Oxford Dictionary of National Biography online ed Oxford University Press doi 10 1093 ref odnb 8233 Subscription or UK public library membership required Kilmartin Museum The Story of Moine Mhor National Nature Reserve PDF Scottish Natural Heritage p 5 Retrieved 7 March 2019 The new biographical dictionary of Scottish women Elizabeth Ewan Edinburgh 2018 p 172 ISBN 978 1 4744 3629 8 OCLC 1057237368 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint location missing publisher link CS1 maint others link Coventry Martin 2001 The Castles of Scotland 3rd ed Goblinshead Lindsay Maurice 1986 The Castles of Scotland Constable amp Co External links EditMap sources for KilmartinKilmartin Museum Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kilmartin Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kilmartin Parish Church Portal Scotland Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kilmartin amp oldid 1168880317, 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