Following a visit from Oliver Lewis of Historic Environment Scotland (HES), Laggan Opportunity and Amenity Fund (LOAF) have met with representatives of the Killean and Kilchenzie Churches Preservation Association (KKCPA).
Both groups wish to conserve three of Kintyre’s ancient churches and grave slabs.
Mr Lewis indicated that, on a database of all scheduled monuments thought to be either within the ownership of Argyll and Bute Council (mostly ruined chapels) or where the council likely had a role (as burial authority), these three churches were most at risk.
Prioritising based on condition and risk, of the 56 scheduled monuments on the database:
• Kilchenzie was second on the list
• Killean was third on the list
• Kilkivan was fifth on the list
Valerie Nimmo of KKCPA said: “Even over the last three years the grave slabs at Kilkivan have deteriorated.
“Acid rain is probably a factor and they need to be lifted, conserved and placed in a sheltered environment.
“Economically these sites can make a valuable contribution to the developing tourist industry of the area – an additional attraction, like a heritage trail on the Kintyre 66 route.
“Educationally, they are an important primary source for students coming to an understanding of the people who lived and worked here over a thousand years ago.”
There will be an information event on Wednesday November 15 at 7pm in Campbeltown Town Hall, when members of both LOAF and KKCPA will be present.
Anyone interested in Kintyre’s medieval history and ensuring that these relics of an important social and religious period in Scotland are preserved, is invited to attend.
At this meeting it is hoped that the partnership agreement between the two organisations will be formalised.