Ink on polyester film, 1983
Survey by RCAHMS
The Kildalton Cross is one of the best preserved of the ‘high crosses’ of early medieval Scotland. As part of the survey of the county of Argyll, this illustrates the detailed, accurate and unique style of recording developed by RCAHMS to record such carved stones.
Probably created in the late eighth century, the cross is carved from a single block of stone. Although weathered, the cross still demonstrates the skill of the early medieval mason. In addition to decorative spiral-work, interlace and bosses, it bears a wealth of religious iconography. The horizontal arms display Cain’s murder of Abel, and Abraham and the sacrifice of Isaac. In the upper arm David wrestles with the lion. The upper portion of the shaft bears the Virgin and Child between two angels.
High crosses tend to be associated with monastic sites, as at Iona. Whether Kildalton possessed a monastery is unknown, but the cross provides clear evidence of Iona’s influence.