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Old gravestones and a tall obelisk at Clachan Duich, the hills of Kintail and Loch Duich beyond.
Ross and Cromarty

Clachan Duich Burial Ground

The ancient church and burial ground of Kintail at the head of Loch Duich, resting place of the chiefs of the Clan Macrae, with the ruined walls still standing.

Welcome

At the head of Loch Duich, with the mountains of Kintail rising behind, the roofless walls of an old church stand in a graveyard of leaning stones and weathered slabs.

This is Clachan Duich, the ancient church and burial ground of Kintail, dedicated to St Duthac, who died around 1065; the place was probably in use for centuries before him.

It has seen hard times. After the Battle of Glen Shiel in 1719 the church sheltered the Jacobite wounded, and for that the Government troops burned it. It was repaired and served the parish until a new church was built in 1856. Its four walls, a metre thick, still stand to their full height, and inside them lie the chiefs of the Clan Macrae.

On the knoll above stands the Macrae war memorial of 1922, a kilted soldier stepping out of a block of granite. The burial ground is still in use, so come quietly.

A short drive awayChocolates of GlenshielHandmade chocolates in the glen.4 min by roadSee itBox of assorted Highland chocolates from chocolatesofglenmarkie.com on a wooden slice
Before you go

The burial ground is open at all times, free.

It is still in use, so visit quietly.

Where
At the head of Loch Duich, by the A87, IV40 8HN.
Inside the walls
The graves of the Macrae chiefs.
Above
The Clan Macrae War Memorial.
Where it is

At the head of Loch Duich near Inverinate, off the A87, IV40 8HN.

Close byKintail.
  1. The stone cairn at the Ratagan Pass viewpoint, the Five Sisters of Kintail rising above Loch Duich beyond.Ratagan Pass viewpoint5 miles7 min by road
  2. Eilean Donan CastleEilean Donan CastleThe Macrae castle a few miles along the loch.6 miles9 min by road
  3. A low stone enclosure on the grassy floor of Glen Shiel, the steep hillsides rising into cloud behind.Battle of Glen ShielWhere the wounded came from in 1719.8 miles11 min by road
  4. Group in yellow helmets and coloured jackets posing beneath a cascading waterfallSkye Highland AdventuresGuided kayaking, gorge climbing and trips into Spar Cave, from several places on Skye.11 miles15 min by road
  5. The roofless stone ranges of Bernera Barracks standing in rough grass with a hill behind.Bernera BarracksThe substantial ruins of redcoat barracks built near Glenelg after 1715 to guard the crossing to Skye, for up to 240 soldiers.11 miles15 min by road
Directions
Box of assorted Highland chocolates from chocolatesofglenmarkie.com on a wooden sliceShoppingChocolates of Glenshiel2.5 miles
The ferry backed onto the slipway by the little white lighthouse, its wake churning.AttractionsThe Glenelg Ferry11 miles
Picnic tables in the Glenelg Inn's garden, the Sound of Sleat and the hills of Skye beyond.RestaurantsGlenelg Inn12 miles
Shelves in the Shore Station shop with teddy bears in Skye Ferry jumpers, prints and small gifts.CafeShore Station Café13 miles
Kyle Rhea seen through bare trees from the path to the otter hide, the mainland hills beyond.AttractionsKylerhea Otter Haven13 miles
WalksOtter Hide14 miles
Drystone broch walls rise beside a wooded hillside under grey cloudsAttractionsDun Telve and Dun Troddan14 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the burial ground, and when each is next free.

Glen Affric Estate, Inverness-shireGlen Affric Estate
  • Sleeps 14
  • In Ross and Cromarty
  • 15 miles from Clachan Duich
Check datesKinloch Lodge, Isle of SkyeKinloch Lodge
  • To stay
  • In Ross and Cromarty
  • 15 miles from Clachan Duich
Check datesStone-walled cottage interior with wood-burning stove, leather sofa and kitchen tableLusa Bothy
  • To stay
  • In Ross and Cromarty
  • 15 miles from Clachan Duich
Check datesEilean Sionnach Lighthouse Cottage
  • Sleeps 8
  • In Ross and Cromarty
  • 16 miles from Clachan Duich
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in Ross and CromartyAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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