2013 was an important landmark for the Lismore Museum, when it achieved national accreditation from Museums Galleries Scotland, confirming that its collections are part of the national resource, and looked after to international standards. This status means that the museum is now trusted to look after relevant and important items held in other collections.
In this Homecoming year of 2014, the directors and curators of Comann Eachdraidh Lios Mor are proud to “bring home” and display the first two loans from Argyll and Bute Museums: The Kilcheran Gold and the Port Appin Head.
The Kilcheran Gold
Place names confirm that there was significant Norse settlement on Lismore: for example, the islands Ramsay, Bernera, Pladda and Musdile and the township of Frackersaig with Birgidile. However, there was no concrete evidence of their presence until this Viking Age Link Plate was found by metal detecting on Kilcheran.
This is a viking age link plate in high quality 22 carat gold with traces of copper and silver which formed part of an Arm Ring worn as a display of wealth. In its clipped form it may have been used as currency.
It was found near Lochan Treshtil Kilcheran and awarded by Treasure Trove Panel to Argyll and Bute Council in 2004. On long term loan to Lismore Museum since June 2014.
The return of the Kilcheran Gold has been made possible by a generous grant from Museums Galleries Scotland for a secure showcase to display it.
The Port Appin Head
The Port Appin Head
A human face carved on a natural boulder of local stone has been identified by the National museum of Scotland as a Pagan Celtic Stone Head.
According to archaeologist Ann Ross “the Celts venerated the head as a symbol of divinity and the powers of the otherworld, and regarded it as the most important bodily member, the very seat of the soul”.
Jean and William Breckenridge found the stone by accident in their garden at Dunsleigh in Port Appin which may well have been a pagan shrine two thousand years ago. They looked after it carefully for 30 years but in recent years, they felt that it needed greater protection, and it came under the care of Kilmartin Museum. It is currently owned by Argyll and Bute Council and, under accreditation, and according to the wishes of the Breckenridges, it has returned near to home in Lismore Museum.