Chapel survey

Specialist archaeologists are being called in to uncover the hidden secrets of the ancient St Columba church in Lewis.

The historic chapel at the Braighe in Point was dedicated to Celtic saint St Columba who brought Christianity to Scotland.

As one of the best preserved pre-Reformation churches in Lewis, the building, also called Eaglais Na h-Aoidhe is of prime historical, archaeological and cultural significance and the site includes historic inscribed grave slabs.

Much of the site’s older history lies buried underground it is suspected after several other discoveries were found nearby indicating people occupied the area since the Bronze Age.

Evidence of what may be a 3,500-year-old settlement was unearthed nearby in 2015 sparking a theory of a community living in roundhouses in the landscape some four miles outside Stornoway.

Ground penetrating radar will be used to identify what features have been lost for centuries.

An electrical current will also be passed through the soil in a search for buried structures.

Urras Eaglais na h-Aoidhe trust which looks after the church will add its own cash to a £5,700 Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) award for the geophysical survey in August.

An open day will be held for islanders while pupils Point School will visit the archaeologists to learn about the survey techniques.

The church is a mediaeval Scheduled Ancient Monument and one of the most important archaeological sites in Lewis.

It is believed that no fewer than 19 members of the Macleods of Lewis clan are buried there. One of the most significant carved grave slabs is of Roderick Macleod, 7th chief of his clan, who died in 1498.

Colin Scott Mackenzie, chairman of Urras Eaglais na h-Aoidhe, said “We are absolutely delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has chosen to support our efforts to better understand the archaeology of Eaglais na h-Aoidhe, its graveyard and the area immediately around it.

“Local people are very keen to find out more about the history and archaeology of the site because it is part of our local history and many people’s ancestors are buried there.

“The research will also help us to make better decisions about managing the site in the future.”

Lucy Casot, head of HLF Scotland, said the project would enable people to enjoy the history on their own doorstep and “shows clearly how local heritage can be a catalyst for lots of different activities and bring people together behind a common purpose.”

Archaeologists to seek the underground secrets of ancient chapel

21 June 2017

Eaglais Na h-Aoidhe