A small early cross now stands in the gardens of Colonsay House, far from the ruined village that gave it its name. The Riasg Buidhe Cross is an early medieval carved cross, moved from an old burial ground in the 19th century.
Its carving is unusual and direct: one side shows a solemn face, spiral arms and a fishtail-like lower body, probably representing Christ. The other side has been interpreted by some as phallic imagery.
What follows is drawn from published sources, with each claim labelled by how firmly it is established.
History
The Riasg Buidhe Cross stands in the gardens of Colonsay House. It takes its name from the now abandoned and ruined village of Riasg Buidhe.
The cross dates from the 7th or 8th century. It stood at Riasg Buidhe in what was recorded as an old burial ground until 1870.
In 1870 it was taken to Colonsay House near Kiloran. The cross was placed beside Tobar Oran, the well of St Oran, near the now lost Chapel of St Oran.
One side shows a solemn face with distinctive eyebrows and ears, a long thin neck, spiral arms and a fishtail-like lower body. The lower body may refer to the ancient Christian tradition of representing Christ as a fish.
Some have suggested that the other side may represent a penis.
Connections
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Colonsay House
Current garden setting of the cross.
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Riasg Buidhe
Abandoned village and original burial-ground setting.
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Tobar Oran
Well of St Oran beside which the cross was placed.
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Chapel of St Oran
Lost chapel near the cross's current position.
What to look for
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Solemn face
One side has a face with distinctive eyebrows and ears.
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Spiral arms
The arms of the figure are shown as two opposite spirals.
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Fishtail body
The lower body may connect with Christian fish symbolism.
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Ambiguous reverse
The reverse has been interpreted by some as phallic.
Plan your visit
- Location
- 56.0930°N · 6.1882°W
- Terrain
- Easy going
Opening & admission
Check Colonsay House garden access before travelling
- The cross stands in the gardens of Colonsay House.
- The source does not state garden opening terms.
Nearby places
Questions people ask
- What is the Riasg Buidhe Cross?
- It is a 7th- or 8th-century carved cross now in the gardens of Colonsay House.
- Where did it come from?
- It came from Riasg Buidhe, an abandoned village where it stood in an old burial ground until 1870.
- What is carved on it?
- One side shows a face, spiral arms and a fishtail-like body, probably representing Christ.
- Why is the reverse debated?
- The source notes that some have suggested the other side may represent a penis.
Sources
Explore more: Building or ruins · Medieval · Argyll and Bute
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