Fight is on to save island temple from crumbling

Published on Friday 30 October 2009 21:21

WORK is about to start on protecting an ancient island church that has had a centuries-old struggle with the elements.

Teampull na Trionaid (Trinity Temple) at Carinish, North Uist, is one of the Western Isles' most iconic medieval churches and is thought to date from the 12th century.

It is said to have been founded by Bethag, daughter of the island leader Somerled, and enlarged in the second half of the 1300s by Amie Nic Ruari, first wife of John, Lord of the Isles, before being rebuilt in the 1500s.

It was a seminary and centre of pilgrimage, connected with the Augustinian abbey of Inchaffrey in Perthshire. It is second in importance on the islands only to the ancient seminary at Howmore, South Uist.

People in the area, desperate to stop the decline, have formed the Teampull Na Trionaid Conservation Association and hope work will begin next year.

William MacDonald, association chairman, said: "The temple is an integral part of our history, and it is vital to preserve it."