Alternative Names Strachur And Stachlachlan Parish Church; Strachur Kirk; Kilmolash Church; Strachur Loft
Site type CARVED STONE(S), CHURCH
Canmore ID 23376
Site Number NN00SE 10.00
NGR NN 09576 01530
Council ARGYLL AND BUTE
Parish STRACHUR
Former Region STRATHCLYDE
Former District ARGYLL AND BUTE
Former County ARGYLL

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Archaeological Notes

NN00SE 10.00 09576 01530

(NN 0956 0154) Kilmaglash (NR)
OS 6" map, Argyllshire, 2nd ed., (1900)

NN00SE 10.01 09590 01545 Burial Ground
NN00SE 10.02 09576 01571 Burial Ground Extension
NN00SE 10.03 09548 01581 Burial Ground Extension

For Strachur Cemetery see NN00SE 44

The name of Strachur church is Kilmolash, later corrupted to Kilmoglash. This suggests a dedication to St Molaise. The circular form of the old burial ground is indicative of an early Celtic site, and the fact that the church stands on a mound may mean that there are earlier foundations beneath. The medieval scupltured stones built into the wall of the church, which was built in 1789, came from Chapelverna (NN10SW 1).
M Paterson 1970; G Hay 1957.

Eleven scupltured stones are built into the wall of the church, which is still in use. Other than a small stretch of curvilinear bank to the SE of the church, there is no evidence to suggest an early Celtic site. Unable to verify dedication.
Visited by OS (D W R) 28 February 1973.

INVENTORY OF GRAVEYARD AND CEMETERY SITES IN SCOTLAND REFERENCE:
N.B. This reference applies collectively to NN00SE 10.00, NN00SE 10.01, NN00SE 10.02, NN00SE 10.03 .
Address: Strachur, Kilmaglash Parish Church, Burial Ground and Burial Ground Extensions, Strachur, Cairndow
Postcode: PA27 8DG
Status: In current use for burials
Size: Burial ground: 0.20 hectares, 0.50 acres; Burial ground extension (10.02): 0.08 hectares, 0.20 acres; Burial ground extension (10.03): 0.06 hectares, 0.14 acres
TOIDs:
Number of gravestones: 263
Earliest gravestone: 1781
Most recent gravestone: 2002
Description: Church with sculptured stones and grave slab; burial ground associated with a church consisting of circular burial ground surrounding church, with burial enclosure and two burial ground extensions adjacent.
Data Sources: OS MasterMap checked 21 September 2005; Graveyard Recording Form dated 17 March 2003

Hay, G (1957a) The architecture of Scottish post-Reformation churches, 1560-1843, Oxford
Page(s): 248 Held at RCAHMS F.5.31.HAY

Paterson, M (1970) Cowal before history,
Page(s): 27