Kilvickeon - Ulva

One of the most beautiful spots on Ulva is the burial ground of Cille Mhic Eoghainn (Kilvickeon). It takes a bit of work to see it, as it's five mile walk from Ulva Ferry. Among others, buried here are many Macquarries and Livingstones of Ulva.

Cille Mhic Eoghainn (Kilvickeon) - Staffa in the distance

There are the ruins of two rectangular structures in the burial ground. Although they have not been specifically identified as chapels, they could be, as they are oriented E-W, and in the 1800s a bell was found here. The site is dedicated to St Ernan, the son of St Eoghan (Ernan's uncle was St Columba). Ernan has another site dedicated to him on the Ross of Mull, 12 miles to the south (the subject of the December 19, 2014 post).

Below are a few more photos of Ulva's Kilvickeon that I took in 2005. See this RCAHMS page for more on Kilvickeon, and this Flickr page for some photos of Macquarrie tombstones.

Livingstone's Cave - Ulva

On a summer walk on Ulva I followed the Livingstone Tail. It took me down a treed glen to the sea. Halfway down the glen the trail passed through an old settlement called Tobhta Livingstone, where the great-grandfather of Dr. David  Livingstone farmed in the 1700s. I believe the name Livingstone was adopted by the clan Mac Dhunnshleibhe (aka Mcleay) after the Livingstones became the rulers of nearby Lismore in the 1600s.

In the cliff face above the old settlement was Livingstone's Cave, and I spent some time exploring it. The cave has been extensively studied, and traces of occupation there date to around 6000 BC. 

For a map showing the route to the cave see this link. For a description of excavations in the cave see this link.

The head of the glen that the Livingstone Trail descends - Inchkenneth in the middle distance

Entrance to the cave

Remnants of excavation work in the cave

Hidden Gometra

If you visit Gometra don't stay on the road. Hidden in a broad glen above the harbour is this large abandoned settlement. It has no name on the map, but the nearby anchorage between Gometra and Ulva is known as Bailachlaidh Harbour, so perhaps the settlement's name was Bailachlaidh. I'm not certain, but the name may mean village of the burial ground, and the Gometra cemetery is not far away. If you look closely you'll see the photographer in the photo.