Kildalton Cross

The Kildalton Cross is one of the finest carved stones of medieval Scotland, a ring-headed high cross of the 700s that still stands where it was raised more than 1,200 years ago. Cut from hard grey-green chlorite schist, which explains its remarkable preservation, it is 2.65 metres tall and was used as a preaching cross; the west face carries snake-and-boss roundels and four inward-facing lions for Christ as the Lion of Judah, while the east face has spiral work, peacocks feasting on grapes like those in the Book of Kells, the Virgin and Child and scenes from Genesis. It stands in the walled churchyard of Kildalton church, built after 1200 and abandoned by 1700, among late-medieval grave slabs carved with warriors. Reviewers reach it along the single-track road east from Port Ellen past the Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg distilleries, find it peaceful and secluded with fine views, and warn of midges early in the morning.