Dervaig

Dervaig
The unusual round tower of the church
Dervaig is located in Argyll and Bute
Dervaig
Dervaig
Location within Argyll and Bute
OS grid referenceNM432518
Community council
Council area
Lieutenancy area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townISLE OF MULL
Postcode districtPA75 6
Dialling code01688
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland
56°35′17″N 6°10′59″W / 56.588°N 6.183°W / 56.588; -6.183

Dervaig (Scottish Gaelic: Dearbhaig) is a small village on the Isle of Mull off the west coast of Scotland.[1] The village is within the parish of Kilninian and Kilmore,[1] and is situated on the B8073[2] roughly midway between Tobermory and Calgary. In 1961 it had a population of 82.[1]

Etymology

Both the English name Dervaig and the Gaelic name Dearbhaig are derived from the Old Norse Dervig, meaning "Good inlet",[3] referring to Loch a' Chumhainn, which the town sits on.

Church

The town is known for its unusual round church Kilmore Church. The original church was built in 1755, however, there is not a complete description of it in the records, so it is unknown what it looked liked.[4] It was built to replace the nearby Church of Kilcolmkil and is thought to be very similar to the church of Kilninian which was built at a similar time but still stands.[4]

Interior of Kilmore Parish Church in 2024

The existing church was built in 1905, being designed by Glasgow architect Peter MacGregor Chalmers with stained glass by Stephen Adam.[5] The "pencil" shape design of the tower is an uncommon sight nowadays in Scotland, however many similar churches still survive in Ireland.[4] The church was renovated in 2004.[4]

Other sites

The Bellachroy Hotel is the Isle of Mull's oldest inn, dating back to 1608. [6] The main street of the town was planned and established by Alexander Mclean of Coll in 1799.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Details of Dervaig". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 30 March 2011.
  2. ^ "B8073". Sabre. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Dervaig". Isle of Mull website. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d "Kilmore Parish Church". Mull Historical Society website. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Always happy in his designs: The legacy of Stephen Adam".
  6. ^ "The Bellachroy Hotel". Mull Historical Society website. Retrieved 21 January 2024.