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Kilmuir Churchyard at Clachan is a medieval burial ground containing an effigy and tombstone of historical significance. Located in Inverness-shire, the site sits upon bedrock formed from an unnamed Palaeogene igneous intrusion of mafic composition, part of the extensive volcanic activity that affected Scotland during the early Tertiary period. This geological foundation has weathered for millions of years before being overlaid with the soils that now support the churchyard.
The effigy and associated tombstone represent important examples of funerary sculpture, typical of monuments erected to commemorate individuals of status within Highland communities. Such carved stones served both commemorative and spiritual functions, marking the graves of the deceased whilst displaying the artistic and craft traditions of their era. The monuments reflect local stone-working practices and the cultural values of their time.
The site is protected as a scheduled monument under Historic Environment Scotland's designation SM940, recognising its archaeological and historical importance. This protection ensures the preservation of both the carved stones and the burial ground itself, which together form an irreplaceable record of medieval and later burial practices in the West Highlands.
Kilmuir Churchyard at Clachan,effigy & tombstone is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM940. View the official record →
Kilmuir Churchyard at Clachan is a medieval burial ground containing an effigy and tombstone of historical significance. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM940.
Kilmuir Churchyard at Clachan,effigy & tombstone 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 SM940.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Duntulm Castle (2.7 km), Eilean Chalium Chille,monastery (3.7 km), Carn Liath, chambered cairn and deserted settlement, Kilmuir (4.1 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Kilmuir Churchyard at Clachan,effigy & tombstone's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Kilmuir Churchyard at Clachan,effigy & tombstone stands on Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Palaeogene, bedrock that formed in the Paleogene. The rock here is mafic igneous-rock.