Another place not to be missed on a trip around the Trotternish Peninsula are the ruins of Bornesketaig Church. Visible from Kilmuir Cemetery and just a short distance from the A855. It is an ideal quick visit and then take a picnic down to Camus Mor on the shore. It is not accessible for wheelchair users due to the uneven terrain and large building stones strewn around. Sarah did well with her sticks as the church is only a few metres from the roadside.
A short history of Bornesketaig Church
Bornesketaig Church dates from 1810. It is shown intact on the OS map of 1903 but the 1961 map shows it as a ruin. Whatever happened to it occurred in this 60 year period. There is no record of any significant event leading to this. It appears it was just left to fall into ruin. Maybe a decrease in population in the area meant it was no longer required.
It stands above Camus Mor Bay and is said to have been used by vessels at sea to navigate. On the upper floor, evidence of which can still be seen, though it has been robbed, images of ships were said to have been inscribed in the plaster. Some of that plaster still remains on the walls.
Three of the church’s walls remain and although the front wall has almost vanished the remaining rubble means it is easier to enter the building through the space that would have once housed the side door. There is a lintel to step over here so if you are unable to manage this you may have to settle for admiring the impressive structure from outside.
From the inside, the building is equally impressive with the remaining walls still standing as high as they would have when they still held a roof. Now the roof is merely the sky above.
Access
The land surrounding the building is rough grassland so proceed with caution. Also, as the building is now a ruin watch out for rubble still hidden among the grass. There are a couple of places on the side of the road to park without causing any obstruction.
While it is sad to see what must once have been an amazing building fallen into such a state of disrepair it does make for a very handsome ruin. We were amazed by the size of the openings that would have held the windows. A building such as this would be striking in any weather that Skye decides to throw at you. If you enjoy photography you may find you loose track of time here.
Camus Mor
If you follow the road past the church ruins you will see signs for Camus Mor. Follow these signs until you reach a large tarmac parking area and turning space. There are two picnic benches and a rubbish bin so it’s an ideal spot to spend a bit of time. It is a working jetty so do not block the access. The views from here over The Minch are excellent. The cliffs in the distance on the right hand side of the bay are reminiscent of the hexagonal basalt more commonly seen at the Giant’s Causeway.
Kilmuir and Bornesketaig offer quite a few places of interest within a very short distance. Take your time and explore some of the hidden gems Skye has to offer.
I believe the church was abandoned around 1924, as a new church was built in Balgown on the site of the United Free Church that got destroyed in the storm of 1920. I remember my father telling me how he used to sit up in the balcony as a child.
Thanks for the great knowledge and memories.