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The small stone chapel at Lochbuie in its graveyard, a gravestone in front and bare trees round it.
Isle of Mull

Lochbuie Mausoleum

The small chapel of 1500 on the shore at Lochbuie that became the mausoleum of the MacLaines in 1864.

Welcome

Caibeal Mheamhair, the chapel of remembrance, stands close to the shore at Lochbuie on the south coast of Mull, about a kilometre and a half from Moy Castle: a small, plain building of rubble stone in its graveyard.

Its main walls are late medieval, and a plaque over the door says it was consecrated to St Kenneth in 1500, though nothing else is known of its early history.

By 1701, when the first recorded burial took place inside, it had fallen out of use as a chapel, and in 1864 it was restored as the mausoleum of the MacLaines of Lochbuie, in memory of Donald, twenty-second of Lochbuie; it was restored again by the clan in 1972. Inside are a late medieval octagonal font of Carsaig sandstone, three table-tombs of the MacLaine chiefs, and a white marble monument to Murdoch MacLaine, who died in 1844; the east end is sealed off behind a Gothic arch. The graveyard is full.

A short drive awayOld Post Office, LochbuieA small family farm café at Lochbuie, with home baking, lunches and its own Lochbuie beef, lamb and venison.7 min by roadSee itOld Post Office, Lochbuie
Before you go

The chapel is on the east shore at Lochbuie, 1.5km from Moy Castle.

Lochbuie House is a private home: follow the footpath signs and keep dogs under control.

Getting there
CalMac ferry: Oban to Craignure (50 minutes), Lochaline to Fishnish, or Kilchoan to Tobermory.
Where
The east shore at Lochbuie.
From Moy Castle
1.5km.
Where it is

Lochbuie, south Mull, PA62 6AA.

Close byAt Lochbuie.
  1. Moy CastleMoy CastleThe 15th-century tower of the MacLaines of Lochbuie on a rock at the head of Loch Buie, saved by a long repair project.1 mile4 min by road
  2. Lochbuie Stone CircleLochbuie Stone CircleMull's only stone circle, nine stones in a field below Ben Buie at Lochbuie, with three outliers.1 mile4 min by road
Directions
The Old Post Office at Lochbuie, a timber building with a red roof and tall windows by the road, trees behind.RestaurantsOld Post Office, Lochbuie2.3 miles
A landscape view of the whitewashed cottage in low evening sun, its blue doors, lit lamps and teak chairs, smoke rising from the chimney.CrogganFern CottageSleeps 4 · 6.9 miles
Stay nearby

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

A landscape view of the whitewashed cottage in low evening sun, its blue doors, lit lamps and teak chairs, smoke rising from the chimney.Fern Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Croggan
  • 5 miles from the Lochbuie mausoleum
Check datesThe Drury from the lawn below: a grey granite Victorian villa with sandstone bay windows, dormers in the slate roof and tall chimneys.The Drury
  • Sleeps 22
  • In Oban
  • 15 miles from the Lochbuie mausoleum
Free 18–20 OctGlencruitten House, Argyll and ButeGlencruitten House
  • To stay
  • In the Isle of Mull
  • 16 miles from the Lochbuie mausoleum
Check datesTimber cabin with copper roof beside a loch, shaded by oak treesUisge Bothy
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Oban
  • 19 miles from the Lochbuie mausoleum
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay on MullAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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For further reading, before you go.