Kilmory Knap Chapel — The Ancient Codex

Kilmory Knap Chapel, Argyll and Bute — Photo: Otter / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

The chapel was built in the 13th century. After its roof was lost the building was used as a burial enclosure, and it was re-roofed in 1934 to shelter a collection of carved stones.

Built in the 13th century and later stripped of its roof, Kilmory Knap Chapel served for a time as a burial enclosure before being re-roofed in 1934 to shelter its collection of carved stones. Among them stands Macmillan’s Cross, a well-preserved medieval carving portraying the clan chief with his hunting dogs.

What follows is drawn from published sources, with each claim labelled by how firmly it is established.

History

Kilmory Knap Chapel — historical view — Photo: David Purchase / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0

The chapel was built in the 13th century. After its roof was lost the building was used as a burial enclosure, and it was re-roofed in 1934 to shelter a collection of carved stones.

People

Clan Macmillan (of Knap)

Clan for whom the chapel is an important historical site; depicted on Macmillan's Cross
Simon Brighton

Writer who associates the chapel with the Knights Templar

Cultural influences

West Highland sculpture — the chapel shelters Early Christian cross slabs and late medieval graveslabs and standing crosses of West Highland type, dating from the 14th to 16th centuries.

Connections

Photo: Otter / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Keills Chapel

Comparable chapel on the opposite shore of Loch Sween
Ellary Estate

Estate on which the chapel stands, beside Loch Sween

What to look for

Macmillan's Cross — a well-preserved piece of medieval carving portraying the Chief of Clan Macmillan with hunting dogs.
The sheltered collection of Early Christian cross slabs, late medieval West Highland graveslabs and standing crosses (14th-16th centuries).
The re-roofed 13th-century chapel structure itself, beside Loch Sween on the Ellary Estate.

What is said

Folklore and tradition, recorded as what is said — not as established fact.

The chapel is associated with the Knights Templar, with the suggestion that the area may have given refuge to Templars fleeing persecution in France. (attributed to writer Simon Brighton; not established history)

Plan your visit

Location: 55.9140°N · 5.6778°W
Nearest settlement: Kilmory, Knapdale
Access: Open access
Start point: On the shore between Loch Sween and Loch Caolisport in South Knapdale off the B8025.
Best time: 1 April to 30September: Daily, 9.30am to 5.30pm Last entry 5pm 1 October to 31 March: Daily, 10am to 4pm Last entry 3.30pm The door is opened using a key, which is attached by chain to the door.
Start point: Kilmory hamlet (road end off the B8025) (parking unconfirmed) — Remote single-track approach off the B8025 in South Knapdale. No dedicated car park is published by HES or mapped in OpenStreetMap; visitors park considerately at the road end by the chapel. Postcode PA31 8PB is the hamlet, not a precise parking spot.
Sat-nav: PA31 8PB

Opening & admission

Free entry

1 April to 30September: Daily, 9.30am to 5.30pm Last entry 5pm 1 October to 31 March: Daily, 10am to 4pm Last entry 3.30pm The door is opened using a key, which is attached by chain to the door.

Opening times & tickets → HES prices/opening →HES getting-here →