Dervaig Explained

Country:Scotland
Official Name:Dervaig
Gaelic Name:Dearbhaig
Static Image Name:Church at Dervaig.jpg
Static Image Caption:The unusual round tower of the church
Os Grid Reference:NM432518
Coordinates:56.588°N -6.183°W
Community Scotland:Mull
Unitary Scotland:Argyll and Bute
Lieutenancy Scotland:Argyll and Bute
Constituency Westminster:Argyll and Bute
Constituency Scottish Parliament:Argyll and Bute
Post Town:ISLE OF MULL
Postcode District:PA75 6
Postcode Area:PA
Dial Code:01688

Dervaig (Gaelic; 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, and is situated on the B8073[2] roughly midway between Tobermory and Calgary. In 1961 it had a population of 82.

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.

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. The church was renovated in 2004.

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.

External links

Notes and References

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