Priory On The Island Of Oronsay On Visit To The Inner Hebrides Of Scotland

Tour Scotland travel video, with Scottish music, of the Priory on the Island Of Oronsay, Scottish Gaelic: Orasaigh, on visit to the Inner Hebrides. It was in existence by 1353, founded by John of Islay, Lord of the Isles and dedicated to Saint Columba. The priory continued in operation until at least 1560, the year of the Scottish Reformation, with the last known prior, Robert Lamont, having been elected in 1555. The lands and property of the priory were given in commendam to Maol Choluim MacDubhthaich in 1561. They were later given to the Bishop of the Isles by King James VI of Scotland after his ascendancy to the throne in 1583. The High Cross stands East of the ruins of the monastery church and rises from a four tiered foundation. From the inscription it can be seen that the cross recalls the death of the prior Colin, who presided over the Oronsay monastery and probably dates from the year 1510, Colin's dying year. On the westward side of the cross are scenes of the crucifixion of Jesus and on the east side are foliage motifs.

All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.