Durness old church ruins and Cemetry at Balnakeil Sutherland Highland Region Scotland UK SCO 1019
Founded in 722 by St. Maelrubha, the present building dates from 1619. Inside the ruined building can be found the grave of a notorious villain, Domhnuall MacMhurchadh who was reported to have resided at Helium. The tomb built into the niche on the south wall of the church is said to be the last resting-place of a famous local villain, Donald MacMurdo, known as Domhnull MacMhurchaidh. He raided all and anyone from his den at, on the east side of Eriboll and was responsible for at least eighteen murders. He paid Uisdean Dubh MacKay the second Lord of Reay who was rebuilding the church in 1619 one thousand pounds on condition he was buried in a specially built vault in the church to prevent his enemies from interfering with his remains. The inscription on the tomb emblazoned with odd heraldic devices including the skull and cross-bones can be rendered as,following Elizabeth Beaton Durness is a 100 miles west from John o Groats at the most north westerly point. Durness is the centre of the ancient lands of Clan Mackay and the most north westerly community in mainland Britain. Dùthaich Mhic Aoidh is the Gaelic for the “Country of Mackay”, a reference to the dominant historical clan of the country north of Kylesku incorporating the parishes of Eddrachilles, Durness, Tongue and Farr Within the parish boundaries can be found evidence of cave dwellings, stone circles, chambered cairns, 8th century Christian settlement, the Vikings, 18th century architecture, the notorious clearances and the Second World war. The coastline is fringed with spectacular beaches of silver sand, soaring cliffs and deep caves. It is an ideal place to explore the solitude of the highlands, to watch the varied wildlife and birds, or enjoy a spot of fishing or golf. The spectacular mountain scenery is formed from some of the oldest rocks in the world, Lewisian Gneiss. Being on the “corner” of Scotland, Durness makes an ideal base for touring the rest of the north - west highlands SCO 1019
Size: 5380px × 3572px
Location: Durness Sutherland Highland Region Scotland UK
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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