Scheduled MonumentsScotlandOrsay Island,chapel
Medieval · Chapel

Orsay Island,chapel

Scotland
HES SM2315
Period
Medieval
Site type
Chapel
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Orsay Island chapel is a small medieval ecclesiastical structure located off the coast of Argyllshire in southwestern Scotland. The chapel dates to the medieval period and stands on Orsay, a small island in the Sound of Islay, reflecting the religious importance of island communities in medieval west Highland society. The building survives in ruinous condition and represents the sparse architectural remains of early Christian activity in the Hebridean region. The site is recorded as a scheduled monument under Historic Environment Scotland's designation system.

Orsay Island,chapel is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM2315. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Orsay Island,chapel?

Orsay Island chapel is a small medieval ecclesiastical structure located off the coast of Argyllshire in southwestern Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM2315.

What period does Orsay Island,chapel date from?

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

Who is responsible for protecting Orsay Island,chapel?

Orsay Island,chapel 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 SM2315.

What other scheduled monuments are near Orsay Island,chapel?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Gleann a Gaoidh,chapel 460m SE of (5.1 km), Kilcavan chapel and enclosure 265m E of Kelsay (5.3 km), Cultoon,stone circle 500m SW of (6.1 km).

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