Scheduled MonumentsScotlandArdwall Island,chapels & cemetery
Medieval · Chapels & cemetery

Ardwall Island,chapels & cemetery

Scotland
HES SM3531
Period
Medieval
Site type
Chapels & cemetery
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic Environment Scotland

Overview

History & significance

Ardwall Island is a small tidal island in the Solway Firth, Kirkcudbrightshire, which served as an early Christian religious centre. The site comprises the remains of at least two medieval chapels and an associated cemetery, indicative of its use as a place of pilgrimage and burial from the early medieval period onwards. The chapels, built of stone and situated on the island's exposed terrain, reflect the spiritual significance attributed to such isolated locations during the medieval period. Archaeological investigation has revealed burials and structural remains that testify to sustained religious activity and veneration at the site over several centuries.

Ardwall Island,chapels & cemetery is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM3531. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Ardwall Island,chapels & cemetery?

Ardwall Island is a small tidal island in the Solway Firth, Kirkcudbrightshire, which served as an early Christian religious centre. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM3531.

What period does Ardwall Island,chapels & cemetery date from?

Ardwall Island,chapels & cemetery dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a chapels & cemetery. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Ardwall Island,chapels & cemetery?

Ardwall Island,chapels & cemetery is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM3531.

What other scheduled monuments are near Ardwall Island,chapels & cemetery?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Knockbrex Fort, 55m ENE of Doonwood (1.4 km), Castle Haven,dun,Castle Haven Bay (2.4 km), Roberton Moat,motte,Roberton Bridge (3.2 km).

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