Kilbride – History on our doorstep.

Not only are we blessed with superb scenery and easy access to Oban’s varied visitor attractions, we also have a fascinating piece of living history with ‘a past too rich to have no future’ just a short stroll through the lambing fields next to our award-winning country pub.

Kilbride Kirkyard dates back hundreds of years. The first recorded written reference is in the ‘Origines Parochiale Scotia’ which records that in 1249 Alexander II ‘granted the see of Argyll the Parish Church of St Bride the Virgin in Lorn’. Local historians believe that the Celtic St Bride sent missionaries to the west coast of Scotland in the 5th Century and some form of church existed at Kilbride from that time. The earliest graves in the kirkyard date back to the 13th Century and the existing structure dates from 1706. The kirk’s history is inextricably linked to the Clan MacDougall and the Isle of Kerrera which was an important resting point between mainland Scotland and the sacred Isle of Iona – the burial site of many Scottish Kings. Cologin and Kilbride Kirkyard both sit astride the old Drovers road and its worth bringing your walking boots as you really will get a sense of our glen’s history when you follow these ancient paths. Dunollie (the clan seat of the MacDougalls in Oban) is definitely on the ‘to do’ list and you can find out more about the castle here.

Kilbride offer guided walks which can be arranged at the Barn Bar and you can also sign up as a ‘Friend of Kilbride‘ to support the charity committed to the long-term preservation of this historic site. Make sure you visit when you are staying at Cologin or enjoying a pint at the bar.