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The church ruin inside its walled graveyard.
Isle of Skye

Trumpan Church

A roofless medieval church on a headland in Waternish, looking over the Minch, burned in the clan feud of 1578.

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Welcome

Trumpan Church stands roofless on a bare headland near the end of the Waternish peninsula in the north-west of Skye, looking out across the Minch towards Harris and North Uist.

It is a medieval church, perhaps dedicated to St Connan, a simple oblong of stone some fifteen metres long, its east gable still standing to full height with a narrow lancet window.

It is remembered for one of the bloodiest days in Skye's history. On the first Sunday in May 1578, the story goes, while the MacLeods of Waternish were at worship, Macdonalds from Uist landed, set the church alight with the people inside, and were themselves cut down by the MacLeods as they tried to escape. Inside the ruin are a carved late medieval grave slab and a font, and in the graveyard lies another fine slab showing a priest. The church is also one of the places said to hold the grave of Lady Grange. The Waternish Point walk starts from the car park here.

A short drive awayYURTea&CoffeeA pop-up café in a yurt at the Skyeskyns tannery in Waternish, with a stove, sheepskins, coffee and Skye baking.5 min by roadSee itThe wood-burning stove and menu board in the yurt.
Before you go

Trumpan is at the end of the minor road through Waternish, where it turns back south, with a car park and picnic table.

The ruin and graveyard can be visited at any time.

Where
Trumpan, Waternish, IV55 8GW.
When
Any time.
Where it is

Trumpan, Waternish, north-west Skye.

Close byIn Waternish.
  1. Waternish FarmWaternish FarmA working farm near Stein, farmed for corncrakes and wildflowers, with coffee, cake and a guided walk.4 miles6 min by road
  2. SkyeskynsSkyeskynsScotland's last commercial sheepskin tannery, on a croft at Lochbay on Waternish, open for free tours all year.4 miles5 min by road
  3. The wood-panelled bar.The Stein Inn BarThought to be Skye's oldest inn, on the shore of Loch Bay in Waternish, with a panelled bar, a fire and around 130 malts.4 miles6 min by road
  4. Ruined stone castle walls stand roofless on a grassy clifftop above the seaWaternish PointThe remote northern tip of Waternish, with a small lighthouse and a walk from Trumpan.5 miles6 min by road
  5. Donnie's Tablet ShedDonnie's Tablet ShedA purple honesty-box shed at the end of the road in Geary, filled every day with homemade Scottish tablet.5 miles6 min by road
Directions
Two walkers cross a curved white sand beach beside green coastal hillsAttractionsCoral Beach3.8 miles over the water
The wood-burning stove and menu board in the yurt.CafeYURTea&Coffee4.0 miles
Seabirds circle a steep sea stack rising from choppy dark waterAttractionsSt Kilda4.9 miles
Yellow and teal Skío tote bags hang beside a "Welcome to the Pottery" signAttractionsSkio Pottery5.2 miles
The Old School at Colbost, home of Skye Silver.ShoppingSkye Silver7.3 miles over the water
The Fairy Bridge on Skye: a low stone arch of dark rock carrying the road over a shallow burn, moorland and blue sky beyond.WalksFairy Bridge7.9 miles
The Dunvegan, DunveganIsle of SkyeThe DunveganPlace to stay · 12 miles
Shelves of books under a sloping ceiling at Waystone Books, a window seat by the window.ShoppingWaystone Books12 miles
Whitewashed thatched cottage with a "Regiant Angus Skye Museum" sign outsideAttractionsGiant MacAskill Museum12 miles
Stay nearby

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

An aerial view shows a white and timber-clad house set among autumn trees above a bay dotted with small islands.Lochview
  • Sleeps 4
  • In the Isle of Skye
  • 8 miles from Trumpan
Check datesA white bungalow with a glazed gable end sits before an autumn hillside, a wooden bench on the lawn in front.Tigh an Tobair
  • Sleeps 8
  • In South Clunes
  • 8 miles from Trumpan
Check datesWhitewashed cottage with grey slate roof behind a pale blue picket fenceThe Three Chimneys
  • To stay
  • In Colbost
  • 8 miles from Trumpan
Check datesA dark timber-clad gabled cabin with a chimney and skylights glows warmly from within at dusk on a grassy hillside.Harlosh Wood h
  • Sleeps 6
  • In the Isle of Skye
  • 8 miles from Trumpan
Free 31 Oct – 3 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay on SkyeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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