2011

NG0483 : Tuama Alasdair MhicLeoid / Alasdair MacLeod's Tomb

taken 13 years ago, near to Rodel/Roghadal, Isle of Lewis And Harris, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scotland

Tuama Alasdair MhicLeoid / Alasdair MacLeod's Tomb
Tuama Alasdair MhicLeoid / Alasdair MacLeod's Tomb
This fine C16th tomb is to be found on the southern nave wall of NG0483 : Tùr Chliamainn, Roghadal / St Clement's, Rodel
It is the tomb of Alasdair MacLeod, 8th chief of the MacLeods. The tomb dates from about 1547 and has many fine carvings. To me these carvings look more mediaeval than their date, perhaps because this style had lingered in the more remote parts of the British Isles. See the shared description below, and the numerous photos of most of the individual panels.
First carving > NG0483 : Tuama/Tomb Alasdair MhicLeoid/MacLeod - Carving 1
Tuama Alasdair MhicLeoid / Alasdair MacLeod's Tomb

Alasdair "Crotach" Macleod was the 8th chief of the Clan MacLeod. References on the web state that he was born in 1450, but as he died in 1547 this would mean he attained the remarkable age of 97. He became the Clan Chief in 1480 on the death of his father, William, at the Battle of Bloody Bay. Alasdair himself was no stranger to battle - his nickname "Crotach" translates at "humpbacked" - a disfigurement resulting from a serious battle wound. His misshapen body however is not faithfully reproduced in the recumbent effigy of his tomb.
The carvings:
The carvings on his tomb represent many of the things that were important to him in life; he was a religious man, so iconography such as angels and the crucifixion figure, but also scenes of hunting and of his knightly and warrior life, such as depictions of a "birlinn" or galley, essential to anyone attempting to control such a diffuse island demesne.


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Rob Farrow and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Religious sites other tags: Tomb Click a tag, to view other nearby images.
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NG0483, 175 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Rob Farrow   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Tuesday, 23 August, 2011   (more nearby)
Submitted
Wednesday, 21 September, 2011
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! NG 0476 8317 [10m precision]
WGS84: 57:44.4482N 6:57.7940W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! NG 0476 8317
View Direction
South-southwest (about 202 degrees)
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Image classification(about): Supplemental image
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