Thursday 13 May 2010

St Clements Church, Rodel, Harris



This is St Clements Church in Rodel on Harris........there was a wedding going on when I took these pics. It's hard to imagine a more beautiful setting for getting married.




And being Harris....the obligatory sheep had to get their arses in the pic.....


Cruciform in shape, the church was built around 1500 by the Macleods of Dunvegan and Harris. In 1784 the church was rebuilt by Captain Alexander MacLeod. Three years later there was a fire and he had to repair his work. In 1873 it was restored under the orders of the Countess of Dunmore. Today it is in the care of Historic Scotland. It is thought that the sandstone used inside and around the windows might have been imported from Carsaig on Mull.

In days gone by the key used to be held at the local hotel where visitors had to go and fetch it. Nowadays, with so many visitors coming here, the key is kept attached to the door. Inside to the right of the entrance is a marble plaque noting the restoration by the Countess of Dunmore.


It's hard to convey what these pics mean to me.....



For less emotional Skywatch Friday posts click here




13 comments:

  1. Fabulous shots! And you got good weather, too.

    I remember being there. There were bare wooden floors inside, and a ladder up through the ceiling into the tower. Some day I'll make it back there!

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  2. That's one fine piece of an old architechture. Would be spectacular place to get married fer sure.

    As it happens today I was helping out my mate to build his house near similar place build in ca.1500. He's getting married there this july. Weird co-incident, ha?

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  3. Love these shots, the colors of the grass and sky and the church all blend so beautifully! Great captures!

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  4. was there just two days ago - no wedding - no sheep

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  5. Great stuff, Neil. Always dig your mix of pics, history and geography. There's a job waiting for you as a tour guide anytime you fancy it, pal.

    Harris is clearly significant for you. I really must get there one day soon.

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  6. just lovely, Neil. Harris is a special place, must get back there soon.

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  7. Great shots Neil. The sheep are very good lawn mowers. I've never been to Harris, but would certainly like to.

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  8. Lovely Pictures. Hope you and Fiona are keeping well. XX

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  9. It's such a wonderful place - I've been there armed with the camera a few times now and always find something new in it each time. Thanks for the fantastic pictures of such a special place.

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  10. Beautiful compositions and lovely sky photos!


    Pixellicious Photos

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  11. Nina.....I had Fiona up for the weekend. She's doing fine, although I always wonder what's in her wee head. We had a great weekend together.

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  12. Naldo.....Might need to take you up on that next year.....the way this government is gonna attack Scotland I could well be looking for a job next April.

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  13. I'm struck by the age of the buildings and the lived landscape. When I'm away from the isles for a while I forget how history inhabits the landscape, and how much effort goes into keeping the landscape relatively intact - f one doesn't count the destruction of hedgerows....

    lovely, rich photos.

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