Kilmodan Carved Stones

Some visitors to Loch Riddon Bothy will be intrigued to know that there are a collection of eleven beautifully carved stones dating from the late medieval period close by.  The stones are around two metres tall.  Anyone can visit the stones – they are housed in a lapidarium in the grounds of Kilmodan Church.

Path leading to Kilmodan Church with the Lapidarian just visible on the left

Kilmodan church is situated in Clachan of Glendaruel – locally known as the Clachan.  A little single track winds down from the main road and a further left turn brings you to a fork.  Kilmodan church is down a rough track to the left and has a generous car park. It is a beautiful, tranquil spot on the banks of the River Ruel, surrounded by farmland.

Sign at the top of the track to Kilmodan Church

The church and graveyard are also well worth visiting. Built in 1783 Kilmodan Church is constructed to a Georgian T-plan design and is a category B listed building. The walls are inset with shields from the previous church on the site and one is inscribed and dated 'SDC/1610.' There is also a memorial to Rev John Maclaurin (Minister there from 1689 to 1699) and his notable sons one of whom was Colin Maclaurin, the mathematician who made important contributions to geometry and algebra.

The church from the Lapidarium

The stones are decorated with a variety of objects including intertwined plant stems, swords and tools, including what appears to be blacksmith’s tongs.

A range of animals, both real and fantastic – a deer hunt, a unicorn, and animals battling with axes and spears are all depicted and human figures are on four of the slabs.

Ten of the stones were made in the 14th and 15th centuries by a school of carvers in the Loch Awe region.  These carvers journeyed from place to place throughout Cowal, Mid Argyll and Lorn, as their services were required, producing effigies, flat graveslabs and freestanding crosses, using whatever suitable stone lay readily to hand.

Another  stone was carved later and commemorates Donald McCloy who was minister of Kilmodan from 1609 until 1636.