What is recorded here
Riasg Buidhe Cross is an unusual seventh- or eighth-century carved stone moved from an abandoned Colonsay settlement to the grounds of Colonsay House in 1870.
What it is
The small early Christian cross slab shows a human face, long neck, spiral arms and fish-like lower body. Its compact design differs from the tall later high crosses.
Who made and used it
Unknown island carvers made it for a burial ground at Riasg Buidhe. People of the township lived around that sacred place until the settlement was abandoned.
Why it is rare
The strange figure has few close matches and its meaning is disputed. It may represent Christ through the old fish symbol, while the reverse carving has drawn other uncertain readings.
What survives
The original stone survives beside a well in the gardens of Colonsay House, where it was moved in 1870. Weathering remains limited enough for the face and spirals to be read.
Why it mattered
The cross is rare evidence for early Christian art on a small Hebridean island. Its removal also records nineteenth-century efforts to protect ancient stones by changing their setting.
Sources for this account
Sources checked 16 August 2026.
From OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors) n6691062662
Places near here
Photo credits
- Julian Paren, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Andrew Curtis, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Rob Farrow, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Russel Wills, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Alpin Stewart, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Pauline E, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Becky Williamson, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- James Wood, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Patrick Mackie, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Rude Health, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Colonsay, Colonsay HouseChapel (early Medieval), Cist (prehistoric) - (early Medieval), House (18th Century), Human Remains · 87 ydExplorer Tom Colonsay, Colonsay House in Argyll and Bute mixes an 18th-century house with prehistoric remains. A cist under the…
Colonsay House, GardensGarden(s) (18th Century) · 102 yd
Colonsay, Colonsay House Grounds, GatesGate(s) (19th Century) · 544 yd
Kiloran BayCist (possible) · 955 yd
Colonsay, Loch An SgoltaireArtillery Fortification (17th Century), Castle (medieval) (possible), Summerhouse (19th Century) · 1085 ydExplorer Tom Colonsay, Loch An Sgoltaire has 17th-century artillery, a possible castle, and a 19th-century summerhouse. It’s like a…
Tràigh BànBeach / strand · 1399 yd
Colonsay, Port Nam FliuchanCave (nil Antiquity) · 1687 yd
Port OlmsaBay · 1.0 mi
ColonsayIsland · 1.1 miExplorer Tom Colonsay is only about ten miles long, but it has an impressive talent for making a visitor stop every few minutes. A…
Port a' MhuilinnBay · 1.1 mi
Beinn nan GudaireanMountain / peak · 1.2 mi
Beinn BhreacMountain / peak · 1.3 miMore historic places in Argyll and Bute · All of Argyll and Bute
What do you know about this place?Tap to add a comment or ask a question