Kildalton Cross, High cross at Kildalton Chapel, Argyll and Bute, Scotland.
Kildalton Cross is a high stone cross carved from a single block of local epidiorite and stands next to Kildalton Chapel in Argyll and Bute. The shaft and arms are decorated with carefully carved biblical scenes and Christian figures across both sides of the monument.
This monument was created in the eighth century during a period when large stone crosses became prominent features of Scottish Christian communities. The selection of biblical scenes carved onto it reflects the theological messages that were important to the people of that era.
The east face displays angels, birds, and the Virgin Mary with Christ, representing how early Christian beliefs were expressed through sculpture in medieval Scotland. Such imagery served as a visual connection to sacred stories for people who could not read.
The cross sits inland from Port Ellen, reachable by following the road eastward past nearby distilleries and farms. The setting is open and exposed, so wear appropriate footwear and prepare for changeable weather conditions typical of coastal Scottish regions.
During restoration work in the 1800s, workers found a smaller cross buried beneath the foundation that marked a grave with evidence of violent injury. This discovery suggests the site held burial importance for many generations.
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