Teampull Orain, Oronsay, Vallay, North Uist

Grid reference

NF 772 771 (accurate position)

Six-figure easting & northing

77200 877100

Latitude

57.66789024693499

Longitude

-7.415052284690111

Altitude (metres)

5

County

Inverness-shire

Nearby places

Orasaigh, North Uist (0.09 miles)

St Ulton's Chapel, Vallay, North Uist (0.45 miles)

Teampull Mhuir, North Uist (Vallay) (0.94 miles)

Cille Pheadair, eccles. North Uist (3.33 miles)

Cille Pheadair, settlement North Uist (3.42 miles)

Object Classification

Antiquity

Ecclesiastical

Is linear feature?

No

Notes

See NMRS for description of the surviving foundations of the chapel. This looks like a very straightforward hagiotoponym. But it may be a ghost. It is on a tidal island called Orasaigh, and that name may simply be the Old Norse word for 'tidal island' (Örfirisey). In that case, the archaeology of a possible old chapel coupled with the misunderstanding of the tidal island name Oronsay (Örfirisey) has led to the creation of a saint's cult at the ruined chapel. Martin Martin notes (p. 137): 'The island of Valay ... hath three chapels, one dedicated to St Ulton, and another to the Virgin Mary. THere are two crosses of stone, each of them about seven feet hight, and a foot and a half broad'.

http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/

Relationships with other parishes

Within North Uist, modern parish

Relationships with other places

Within Orasaigh, North Uist

Adjacent St Ulton's Chapel, Vallay, North Uist