2014

NR8398 : Kilmartin Graveyard, The Poltalloch Enclosure

taken 12 years ago, near to Kilmartin, Argyll And Bute, Scotland

Kilmartin Graveyard, The Poltalloch Enclosure
Kilmartin Graveyard, The Poltalloch Enclosure
Seven memorials lie in the Poltalloch burial enclosure, built for the Malcolms (MacCallums) of Poltalloch in the 1700s. All but one are inscribed ‘POLTALLOCH’, which the family added to re-used medieval gravestones, perhaps to give a sense of greater antiquity.

The seven stones comprise three West Highland grave-slabs of the 1300s or 1400s, two medieval effigies of warriors wielding spears and swords, and two tombstones of the 1600s.

Later gravestones can be seen in the graveyard behind the enclosure.
Kilmartin Stones

The Kilmartin Stones are a collection of 79 ancient graveslabs at NR8398 : Kilmartin Parish Church. The earliest stones date back to the thirteenth or fourteenth centuries, with the most recent ones dated 1707 and 1712.

Originally, the stones would have been laid flat on the ground to cover a grave. After the Reformation, however, many of the stones were moved, and in 1956 they were moved inside a shelter to protect them from the weather. The symbolism of the motifs carved onto the slabs is the subject of much discussion and speculation. Many are marked by figures of warriors in contemporary dress with spears and swords; some alone, others with figures of fantastic animals, foliage and interlace patterns. Other motifs include crosses, animals and shears; a comb appears with shears on one stone. None are inscribed, so the identities of the persons commemorated are unknown. They can, however, be taken to be the monuments of the local landowning or minor noble class in late medieval times. The swords shown on many of the stones refer to warrior (or, more broadly, social) status.

LinkExternal link - Undiscovered Scotland
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NR8398, 219 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
David Dixon   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Tuesday, 25 March, 2014   (more nearby)
Submitted
Tuesday, 1 April, 2014
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! NR 8346 9883 [10m precision]
WGS84: 56:7.9744N 5:29.1747W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! NR 83462 98826
View Direction
West-southwest (about 247 degrees)
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Image classification(about): Geograph
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