After I had taken my photos of the Thief’s Cross at Kildalton, Islay, in May 2016, which was just a little further up the hill, we made our way back down into Kildalton graveyard. Then I stood in front of the most beautiful cross that I had ever seen. The information board tells us…..The Kildalton High Cross was carved about 1,300 years ago, one of the finest and the most complete early Christian crosses in Scotland.
The stone was carved towards the end of the 700’s and is more than likely from the same artists who carved the great crosses on the Isle of Iona.
The cross is still standing where it was first erected more than 1,300 years ago, making it one of very few early Christian crosses still in their original positions.
The shaft depicts a series of Bible scenes.
The above photo is my favourite part of the cross, it is the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus, flanked by two angels.
In one of the photos you can see my husband putting money on the plinth of the cross, not sure why there was a pile of money on the plinth, but thought it might be best to add to the pile, just incase, you know for luck etc. There is one more post to come on Kildalton, the wonderful tomb slabs and the ruins of the church.
Echoes of the Past 
Particularly liked photo no. 6 with its abstract Celtic pattern, rather like a pagan Pictish symbol or shield boss. Lovely monument. 🙂
It is a wonderful cross, I love the angels, but I also like the celtic pattern……now I wonder where they got the idea for the Celtic pattern…. Lol, who thought of the very first one 🙂
I oohed and aahed over these photo,delightful!!
So glad you enjoyed them, it’s such a beautiful cross 🙂
It is!
It is a lovely very old cross and interesting info, but what really caught my eye is that fantastic sky in your first photo! 🙂
The skies always look lovely on the islands, not sure why, it might be something to do with being surrounded by water and it reflects up…that it only a guess 🙂
I wouldn’t know either, but they are lovely. 🙂
Superb photos, Lynne! What a magnificent cross it is. The work on it is just superb. You had beautiful sunshine for your visit!
Thank you Jo, we were very lucky with the weather, and it does make for better photos….grey cloud is a killer 🙂