Monument record 775 - TOBAR CHALUIM CHILLE, BALIVANICH, BENBECULA

NF75SE 3 7820 5475.

For Teampull Chaluim Chille (NF 7822 5490), see NF75SE 2.

(Area NF 781 547). Tobar Chaluim Chille, Ballivanich, Benbecula, lies about 200 yards south by west of the teampull (NF75SE 2) on slightly higher ground. A small cairn, about 12ft wide and 3ft high, impinges on the south side. It is built of stones carried there as votive offerings by people who came to drink the water.
RCAHMS 1928.

NF 7820 5475. This well is almost obscured by the cairn which encroaches upon it from all sides except the NW., here, only a small pool of water is evident.
Surveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS (J T T) 27 May 1965.

The monument comprises a ruined church and nearby well.
The well known as Tobar Chaluim Chille lies about 180m SW of the church on slightly higher ground. The well is almost obscured by a cairn, 3.65 m wide and 9m high, which encroaches on it from all sides except the NW. This is formed from stones carried there as votive offerings by people who came to drink the water.
The monument to be scheduled comprises... a second circular area of ground, 10m in diameter, centred on the well...

Statement of National Importance (Proposal to Schedule an Ancient Monument) HS.

The cairn noted by previous visitors seemed to be somewhat reduced in size, with the well clearly visible as a sub-circular opening in the ground in a space enclosed by the cairn. The well itself appeared to be almost dry and thickly grown with rushes.
Fyles 2006,3

RCAHMS, 1928, The RCAHMCS 9th Report & Inventory: Outer Hebrides, Skye and the Small Isles, 99, No. 339 (Bibliographic reference). SWE5587.

Chris Fyles, SUAT Ltd, 2006, Archaeological Walkover Survey, AIRD, Benbecula (Unpublished document). SWE41084.