Monument record 939 - KILMUIR, NORTH UIST, SAINT MARY'S CHURCH

NF77SW 12 7082 7058.

(NF 7082 7058) Kilmuir (St Mary's Church). A church here is mentioned in 1392 (OPS 1854) and at one time had a sanctuary of small extent. The site is probably indicated by the Balranald tomb, dated 1768, in the centre of a once circular graveyard, enlarged in 1900.
The 'barn-like structure' to the west, now disused, served as the parish church from 1764 until 1894. (E Beveridge 1911)
In 1866 Muir (T S Muir 1885) noted two crosses in the graveyard. One has since disappeared but the other, a 'hollow-angled' cross, still remains. (E Beveridge 1911)
E Beveridge 1911; T S Muir 1885; Orig Paroch Scot 1854.

The Balranald Tomb, alleged site of Kilmuir, is at NF 7083 7057. No trace of the church or of the circular grave-yard can be seen although the latter is visible on APs.
The later church is a rectangular structure, harled, 7.3m by 18.8m over walls 0.9m thick, now unroofed.
The crosses were not located.
Visited by OS (J T T) 15 June 1965.

There are at least four crosses in this church yard. One is the damaged remains of a large free-standing cross with hollowed angles and bosses. In addition, it is possible that there may be a number of West Highland horizontal carved stone grave slabs - several plain rectangular horizontal grave markers would bear closer examination.
MML 7.6.2001

As described above, with additional horizontal slabs, several with rough longitudinal engraved inscriptions, possibly early 18th century. A single slab with indistinct cruciform styled decoration. One vertical slab with large effigy of a man possibly with sword (possibly early West Highland style?). There are also three saddle querns, two being used as markers. A single stone marker with socket was also noted. Mausolea are in stable condition except for the one encorparated in boundary wall, where three stones have fallen. A grave enclosure to the north is in poor condition with large crack in rendered wall and is at risk of collapse. This site would benefit from a survey.
KM (Arch Service CnES) 24/07/2023

Site visit focusing on the north and south extensions to the cemetery noted extensive midden material comprising of animal bone, shellfish and occiasional ceramic fragments. A recent burial lair excavation showed that a number of large stones had also been removed in the process. These observations lend weight to this being a multi period site of significance and it is likely that the whole of the mound / hillock has high archaeological potentail.
KM (Arch Service CnES) 30/01/2024

OPS, 1854, Origines Parochiales Scotiae, 373 (Bibliographic reference). SWE9142.

T S Muir, 1885, Ecclesiological notes on some of the Islands of Scotland, 38 (Bibliographic reference). SWE5959.

Erskine Beveridge, 1911, North Uist: its archaeology and topography, 293-4 (Bibliographic reference). SWE12876.