Slight fragments of this ancient church are to be found on the north
shore of Loch Etive, about four miles from Bonawe Ferry, near Taynuilt
Station. This priory, dedicated to St. Modan, is said to have been
founded in 1231 by Duncan Mackowle or MacDougal of Lorn, for monks of
the order of Vallis Caulium. The remains (Fig. 1322) consist of the
north, east, and west walls of what has been an oblong chamber, and
apparently
[Illustration: FIG. 1322.--Ardchattan Church. Plan.]
the choir of a church. It measures 66 feet in length by 28 feet in
width. In the small part of the south wall which survives there is a
sedilia (Fig. 1323) with three seats. Each seat is marked by a sharply
pointed arch, and the whole are enclosed in a deeply moulded
semicircular arch. Some fragments, including a piscina, are now built
into the back of the seats, but these are modern insertions. At the
right hand termination of the large arch a small lion is sculptured,
which recalls some of the carved work at Iona, and at the bases of the
smaller arches carved leaves are introduced. There has also been an
ambry in the east wall (see Plan).
At the west end of the building a double wall 9 feet in thickness has
been erected. It is pierced with a round-headed archway, and has
projecting jambs in the centre. This archway now leads into an open
courtyard connected with a mansion. Its former use is difficult to
determine.
To the north of the choir is preserved the outline of an irregular
structure, which may have been a sacristy. It is 42 feet long by 14 feet
wide at the east end, and 11 feet wide at the west end, and has been
connected with the choir by a doorway and two windows. The exterior
walls are now nearly demolished.
[Illustration: FIG. 1323.--Ardchattan Church. Sedilia.]
To the south of the choir is an open space enclosed with a wall 18 feet
long by 15 feet wide, evidently erected as a burial-place. It has an
arched entrance gateway at the south end. On the keystone of the arch
are the letters C. K. and the date 1614. Lying within the choir are
several monuments, one being in the recess of the larger window opening
into the sacristy. Two are monuments of priors of the Macdougal family,
and bear the dates of 1500 and 1502. The inscriptions have given rise to
much discussion.
In 1644 the Macdonalds, led by Colkitto, burnt and destroyed the priory.