An Ancient Ruin in Scotland

We are in Scotland after a lovely time in Ireland. About a week ago, the sail to Scotland from Ireland was a full day sail, from morning to evening. I really enjoyed the place we went first in Scotland, a small island called Eilean Mor. You can find it at 55°54.9'N 005°44.1'W.

We anchored in a small cove barely large enough for Sila and only two meters deep. After we felt secure on the anchor, Daddy and Mama decided to put out shore lines. They are lines that we connect to the shore to hold the boat. This was the first time we had used shorelines since South Georgia and Chile, where we used them all the time. I suddenly felt like we were back in the high latitudes, coastal cruising, and enjoying the feeling of being secure.

Looking down the shoreline to Sila

I noticed that on shore was a building. It was stone with a grass thatched roof and looked ancient. The island was half a mile long or less and half the width. I could see another building, not quite hidden by the crest of an incline. I was excited for the next morning when we would go for a walk on this mysterious, ancient place. 

When we reached shore the next day, we walked up to the first building and realized it was a visitor center. Inside there were a few posters and signs about what to expect on Eileen Mor, and some explanations of its history. My heart leapt with more excitement at the sights to be seen on this little island. 

Porter, me and Daddy in front of the Visitor's Center

We walked along the path admiring the bit of Scottish landscape. Clumps of heather and patches of yellow irises covered the grass and protruding slabs of granite. I was amazed beyond words, which sounds a bit far fetched, but there was something in the air here that made me marvel.

We came up the rise to the second building, a little bigger and with part of the grass roof caved in. I hesitated for a split second, but my curiosity overcame all else and I entered. The building (We later learned it was a church built in the 13th century.) was divided into two sections. One was the section with no roof. The next was dark and damp. The crunch of the dirt under my foot echoed strangely around the stone walls. When my eyes adjusted to the gloom, they immediately were drawn to one wall. Dug into it was a stone hearth without any chimney. On the floor of this was a long slab. It was so smooth that at first I thought it was wood in the dim light cast from a few slits in the wall. Then I realized it was stone. Engraved on it was a figure lying down. It was faceless and short: shorter than I. I wondered about the purpose of this mysterious figure.

The four of us inside the church (the side with the roof)

The smooth, stone figure

The island did not take long to explore and soon we found the remains of another building. The corners of the walls still stood, nestled in among some granite. I tried to imagine the history behind the crumbling stone. It was weird to stand where an ancient Scot or Pict once stood. 

Mama and Daddy standing next to an old foundation

This exploration has given me a good impression of the time we will spend here in Scotland. Since visiting our first island, we have dried out the boat, seen several castles, learned more about Scottish history, enjoyed some beautiful forest walks and have sailed more than motored. We will have a lot to write about in the coming weeks! -JackRabbit

 Here you can see Sila in her snug anchorage, with the church in the foreground