There are a number of web-resources which will shed more light on the the early Christian Gaelic world, on the archaeology of the church and on the saints associated with Cowal and beyond. These might enrich the pilgrim’s experience in various ways.
A three-year research project at Glasgow University involving Prof. Thomas Clancy, Dr Rachel Butter and myself (Dr Gilbert Márkus) attempted to record all Scottish hagiotoponyms (place-names referring to saints) and published the results in an open-access on-line database The Database of Scottish Hagiotoponyms.
Another project, at Edinburgh University, explored and recorded non-toponymic dedications to saints in Scotland and their research is available in The Database of Dedications to Saints in Medieval Scotland.
Scotland’s Churches Trust have a lively project ongoing called Scotland’s Pilgrim Journeys which is worth looking at, and there is a useful short essay on pilgrimage in Medieval Scotland on the website of ScARF (Scottish Archaeological Research Framework).
The National Library of Scotland holds a large collection of maps of this area which give a good impression of the lie of the land, and of the way it has appeared to map-makers over the centuries. A lot of these maps have been scanned and can be looked at (free, and without registration) in high resolution online images – a great way to get a feel for the area.
For further information on Kilmun, see the website of Historic Kilmun.
Useful news for visitors to Dunoon – what’s on, what’s new, where to eat and drink, forthcoming events – on the town’s website for visitors.
For visitors to Colintraive and Glendaruel, on SW Cowal, useful views and local information at Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust.
For general information for visitors to Cowal, you may find these useful:
- www.wildaboutargyll.co.uk (Dunoon & Cowal)
- https://www.heartofargyll.com (Explore Argyll)
- https://www.sublimescotland.co.uk (Argyll’s Secret Coast)
If you’re Facebook user, then have a look at the Facebook pages for:
- Faith in Cowal
- The Cowal Way
- Explore Cowal
- Historic Kilmun
- Visit Cowal
- What’s On in Strachur
- Kilmartin Museum
- The Iona Community