Ionian Cross, Keil Church, Lochaline, Morvern

Keil, near Lochaline on the Morvern peninsula, is an ancient religious site and has associations with St Columba. Although the present church at Keil dates from the 19th century, there are fragments of an earlier medieval church in the burial ground. This disc-headed cross stands south of the present church, overlooking the Sound of Mull. However, it is not in its original location and it may be associated with the earlier medieval church as it dates from the 14th or 15th century. The carving is of the Ionian school with plaitwork and intertwined plant-scrolls ending at the base in dragons' heads. The photograph dates from the first half of the 20th century and was taken by M.E.M. Donaldson.<br /> <br /> Mary Ethel Muir Donaldson was born in 1876 and came to the Highlands around 1908. She travelled extensively around the North and West Highlands, writing and taking photographs. One of her favourite locations was the Ardnamurchan Peninsula and it was there she settled, at Sanna, in 1927.<br /> <br /> Between 1912 and 1949 Miss Donaldson produced many books on the social history and customs of the North and West Highlands. 'Wanderings in the Western Highlands and Islands' and 'Further Wanderings - Mainly in Argyll' are two of her best known works and both are illustrated with her own photographs. She died in a nursing home in Edinburgh in 1958, and was buried in Oban. <br /> <br /> <br /> This image can be purchased.<br /> For further information about purchasing and prices please email the<br /> <a href="mailto: photographic.archive@highlifehighland.com">Highland Photographic Archive</a> quoting the External ID.