Ruined chapel walls and cross slabs stand on Inch Kenneth, with a cemetery still occasionally in use. St Kenneth’s Chapel is a 13th-century chapel, a small Christian place of worship, on an island off Mull.
The site preserves architectural details, later reinforcement, carved slabs and a slate high cross. Its parish-church history is recorded from 1380, before control passed to Iona Nunnery and the chapel fell into decay after the nunnery’s abolition.
What follows is drawn from published sources, with each claim labelled by how firmly it is established.
History
St Kenneth's Chapel is a ruined chapel on Inch Kenneth, in the parish of Kilfinichen and Kilvickeon, Isle of Mull. The chapel dates to the 13th century on architectural grounds.
It became a scheduled monument on 27 March 1928. The earliest surviving written record of the church is from 1380.
Records from 1380 and 1549 show that it served as the parish church. By the 16th century at the latest, St Kenneth's Chapel came under the control of Iona Nunnery.
The chapel probably ceased use and was left to decay after the abolition of the nunnery in 1547. Reinforcements were added in the 16th or 17th century because the east wall was tilting.
Inside the church are eight cross slabs probably dating between the 14th and 16th centuries. The cemetery includes 17th- and 18th-century graves and is still occasionally used.
A slate high cross in the enclosure was placed there in 1926 but was probably made between 1500 and 1560.
Connections
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Inch Kenneth
Island site of the chapel.
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Isle of Mull
Wider island parish context.
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Iona Nunnery
Controlled the chapel by the 16th century at the latest.
What to look for
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Pointed windows
The chapel has pointed windows, including lancets in the east wall.
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Heavy buttresses
The front of the church has heavy corner buttresses.
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Cross slabs
Eight cross slabs survive inside the church.
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Slate high cross
A late-medieval slate high cross stands in the enclosed area.
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Occasional-use cemetery
The surrounding cemetery remains occasionally used.
Plan your visit
- Location
- 56.4414°N · 6.1592°W
- Terrain
- Rough ground — reasonable boots advised
Opening & admission
Check island access before travelling
- The chapel is on Inch Kenneth Island and the cemetery is still occasionally used.
- The source gives no public crossing or visitor access terms.
Nearby places
Building or ruin · Pictish & early medieval
Iona Abbey
Argyll and Bute
Saint Columba came to Iona from Ireland with twelve companions in 563, founding a monastery when Iona was part of the Kingdom of Dál Riata. It beca…
- Near Baile Mor, Iona
- 1.8 km from car park
Questions people ask
- What is St Kenneth's Chapel?
- It is a ruined 13th-century chapel on Inch Kenneth, off Mull.
- Was it a parish church?
- Yes. Records from 1380 and 1549 show that it served as the parish church.
- What carved stones survive?
- Eight cross slabs survive inside the church, and a slate high cross stands in the enclosure.
- Is the cemetery still used?
- The source says the cemetery is still occasionally used today.
Sources
Explore more: Building or ruins · Medieval · Argyll and Bute
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