Colonsay Viking graves

Colonsay has one of Scotland's greatest concentrations of Viking graves. One of the more spectacular graves was found at Kiloran bay and demonstrates the interaction between the pagan and Christian faith in the time og Viking settelement in Scotland.

Viking remains in the Western Isles have often been found by chance when land erosion over time has revealed evidence of burials; through the unearthing of human bones and grave goods, or settlements; through the middens, walls or building foundations. There are a greater concentration of Viking burials remains in Colonsay, Oransay and Islay than on any of the other islands. The strength of the Viking influence on the islands and the west coast of Scotland can be seen from place names, many of which are Scandinavian, suggesting a considerable Viking presence in the area.

In 1882 one of the most important discoveries of a Viking burial site was found in the sand dunes at the Kiloran Bay on the northwest coast of Colonsay. With a rocky precipice, sandy beach with grass covered sand dunes; the bay was the perfect landing place for the Viking long ships. Excavations of the area revealed the burial of a man with a horse, along with a selection of grave goods.

The Viking Burial

The man had been placed in the grave on his left side in a crouched position in the corner of a rectangular enclosure measuring around 4.6m x 3.1m (15ft x 10 ft), constructed with stone slabs in an upright position. The horse was outside the enclosure. Evidence of iron rivets surrounding the animal and scattered about the grave-structure suggests that an overturned boat had covered the whole grave. The boat must have been at least 9m (30ft) in length.

Buried alongside this Viking warrior were a number of weapons and other possessions including;

  • a sword
  • a spearhead
  • an axehead
  • a shield boss
  • two arrowheads
  • a knife
  • a buckle 
  • sherds of a pot
  • a whetstone
  • and a silver pin.

There was also a selection of tools vital for trading, scales, weights and measures and a selection of coins, which dated the burial after the year 850.

Also found in this burial site, at either end of the enclosure, were two slabs, each roughly carved with a Christian cross. Had they been built into the original grave-structure, it would imply that despite being a thoroughly pagan burial site, there were also Christian influences and beliefs evident within the Viking colony.

As well as the Kiloran Bay grave, there have also been two other burials with animals found at Machrins on Colonsay.

Monica Callaghan, Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery, University of Glasgow