A Visit to Texa Chapel
During the summer, Professor Steven Mithen and Sarah Lambert-Gates travelled to briefly survey the ruins of a chapel found on the Isle of Texa.
The chapel is dated to the Medieval period and was dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. Some 16th century records show that the chapel was endowed with the lands of Cragabus, the ‘two Kilbrides’, and the Isle of Texa. Various Medieval monuments were discovered near the chapel and taken to Kildalton House, including a cross-shaft erected in the late 14th century by Reginald, son of John of Islay. John of Islay is described in Gaelic sources as a generous benefactor of the church. These Medieval monuments are now stored in the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland and in the Museum of Islay Life in Port Charlotte. By the 16th century, when a Franciscan missonary visited the island, the chapel was not mentioned – which means it was likely already in ruins. For more information on the chapel, just head over to its page on Canmore.
During the visit, Sarah Lambert-Gates made a photogrammetry model of the chapel which you can now explore – just click here.
Giant’s Grave 2017 Excavation Update
August 2017 saw the completion of the third and final season of excavation at the Early Neolithic Clyde-type chambered cairn at Slochd Meseach near Neraebolls, better known as the Giant’s Grave. These followed excavations in 2015 and 2016, the first of which focused...
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Planning the Dunyvaig Project
News about the planning of the Dunyvaig Project. Dunyvaig is, arguably, the most important of the historical monuments on Islay, but many questions about its history still have to be answered. Following the Dunyvaig Academic Workshop planning has begun on the Dunyvaig project, which will incorporate not just excavations at Dunyvaig, but projects for the local community and tourists.
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Visit Kildalton Chapel in the 13th century
Please visit the new Kildalton Chapel Project page. Here you will find a link to the digital model of the 13th century chapel.
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Updates to the Islay Heritage Website
Please tour our website to explore how Islay Heritage is furthering knowledge about Islay’s past, and the many ways in which it can be explored and enjoyed by everyone.
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Islay Archaeology Week 10–16 August 2017
From 10–16 August, Islay Heritage will be holding a series of exciting events in the Isle of Islay. On Thursday 10 August, at the island's annual Islay Show at Bridgend Islay Heritage will be presenting informative displays and will also be encouraging visitors to...
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Islay Heritage news and upcoming events 2017
Newsletter from Islay Heritage, Spring and Summer events 2017
read moreSchools Archaeology Project showing their work in local community Gaelic Centre
Island primary schools pupils were inspired by visiting and learning to record their adopted local archaeology sites earlier this Spring with Islay Heritage archaeologists. Now, the schools have created an exhibition of their work, and welcome the community and...
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Suggest sites for ‘The Islay 100’
Send us your nominations for ‘The Islay 100’.
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Giant’s Grave excavation lecture
Join Dr Darko Maričević for a special lecture about the summer 2016 excavation at the Giant’s Grave Neolithic Chambered Cairn.
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Visit the Giant’s Grave excavation
Join Islay Heritage and the Islay Natural History Trust on Sunday 28 August, for a summer walk to the Giant’s Grave archaeological dig.
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