Eilean Munde facts for kids
 Eilean Munde in Loch Leven |
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| Coordinates | 56°41′05″N 5°07′46″W / 56.68472°N 5.12944°W |
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| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Highland |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
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Eilean Munde is a tiny, uninhabited island in a Scottish lake called Loch Leven. It's located very close to the village of Ballachulish.
This island is special because it holds the ruins of an old chapel. A saint named Fintan Mundus built it way back in the 600s! He traveled here from Iona, another famous Scottish island. The chapel was burned down once in 1495 but was rebuilt in the 1500s. The very last church service held there was in July 1653.
Eilean Munde also has an old graveyard. Important Scottish families, like the Stewarts of Ballachulish, the MacDonalds of Glencoe, and the Camerons of Callart, used it for centuries. Even when these families had disagreements, they still shared and took care of this special burial ground. The very last person buried there was in 1972.
Islands of Discussion and Agreement
Close to Eilean Munde, there's another smaller island called Eilean a' Chomhraidh. Its name means 'Isle of Discussion'. Long ago, people who had arguments, especially about land, would meet here to talk things over.
Once they settled their disagreements, they would sail to another island, Eilean na Bainne. This island is about two kilometers west of Kinlochleven. Eilean na Bainne means 'Isle of Covenant' or 'Isle of Ratification'. This is where they would write down and officially agree to their settlements. An old map from Timothy Pont even spells it as Ylen na Ban.
A Bishop's Visit to Eilean Munde
On July 6, 1770, a religious leader named Bishop Robert Forbes sailed through Loch Leven. He wrote about his visit to Eilean Munde.
He noted that he saw the island of St. Munde. He knew that St. Munde was an important religious figure in Argyll. Bishop Forbes also saw the ruined chapel on the island. He mentioned that all four walls were still standing. Even though the island was rocky and didn't have much soil, the MacDonalds and Camerons still used it as a burial place.
Later, in a letter, Bishop Forbes shared more thoughts. He knew the chapel walls were still strong. He wished that the families who buried their loved ones there would put a roof back on the chapel. He thought it wouldn't cost much because there was plenty of wood nearby. Also, a slate quarry was very close. He even offered to help pay for repairs and a new roof. He hoped to hold a church service there if he ever returned to the beautiful Ballachulish area.
