The Heritage Centre’s second archaeological walkover took place at Killandrist in February. This area has early Christian connotations: its name meaning St Andrew’s Chapel. We admired and recorded for our inventory the abundant natural spring known as St Andrew’s Well, which has a masonry surround, but although several of us searched, we could see no trace of the chapel; not surprising as it would probably now have been about 1,400 years old! 
However, we were able to enjoy looking at another major site: the shell of Samuel MacColl’s school, a parish school that served the middle of the island in the 19th century. Alexander Carmichael, one of Lismore’s most celebrated sons, was a scholar here, and we also saw and photographed the remains of his family house nearby.
A dozen Liosachs took part in the visit, many able to contribute local knowledge. Our final visit for this winter will be at Baleveolan next month.
Script Douglas Thorburn
Photos Pauline Dowling
